Well I finally made it... 12.5 hours driving straight to OKC.
Day 1 - Officially sworn in as a federal employee, they talked about benefits, retirement plans, ect. I received my ID and am all good to go
Day 2-4 - Received basic instruction on Airports, NOTAMs, radar, orginizational structure, SOPs, LOAs, and other important rules I need to know.
I've gotten a 100% on all 8 of my end of lesson test and have my block test on Monday.
This weekend I'm going to a AAA baseball game here in town and on Monday I organized a bowling/study night to prepare everyone for the block test. About 10 people from class are coming which is nice.
I emailed my facility manager at PWM to find out more information regarding the amount of time I need to go from OKC to Milwaukee to PWM. I requested a report for duty date of June 30th which gives me just about a week off to come home and get my stuff and take care of some things.
Thats all for now
Friday, April 4, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
12 more days
It won't be long and I'll be off vacation and back to work learning how to do my new job. It's been nice hanging out with all my friends and family lately. It's also been nice not having to work two jobs everyday.... or any job for that matter.
I have been buckling down and really working hard at packing and getting my things moved down to the garage. I have a pretty busy weekend ahead of me so I want to get everything done in the next two days if possible.
We have had a few more people look at the apartment in the last couple days, I'm really hoping one bites on it and decides to move in. My trip to Portland, ME got postponed to look at apartments for myself. With it being Easter weekend there weren't any seats open for me to fly out there. It will have to wait until Monday.
I have been buckling down and really working hard at packing and getting my things moved down to the garage. I have a pretty busy weekend ahead of me so I want to get everything done in the next two days if possible.
We have had a few more people look at the apartment in the last couple days, I'm really hoping one bites on it and decides to move in. My trip to Portland, ME got postponed to look at apartments for myself. With it being Easter weekend there weren't any seats open for me to fly out there. It will have to wait until Monday.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A slight scare from the FAA
Yesterday I received 3 letters in the mail from OKC. One was my firm offer of employment, the other was the ammended firm offer which changed the city name of my facility. The last one was a quick scare.
It was a letter requesting a rubicon of medical information from my primary care doctor concerning medical conditions which I reported on my medical form and that my required medical certificate was under further review based on that information. It turns out that my medical paperwork was duplicated and sent for an airmens 2nd class medical certificate along with the ATC 2nd class medical which I cleared. I called the sothern region medical,they told me to toss the notice and apologized for the mix-up. On a positive note its good to know that if I ever want a commercial pilot certificate I will have to submit that info inorder to obtain the proper medical certificate.
Less than a week left of work and I'll finally have some time off to spend time with my family and friends. Today is going to be an action packed day of starting to throw things away and pack. My goal is to have everything packed by next week Tuesday and moved to the garage for easy access when I move it all into storage. The only things I plan to take to OKC with me are a suitcase of clothes, my laptop, bowling balls, umpire equipment, and bike.
Thats all for today
It was a letter requesting a rubicon of medical information from my primary care doctor concerning medical conditions which I reported on my medical form and that my required medical certificate was under further review based on that information. It turns out that my medical paperwork was duplicated and sent for an airmens 2nd class medical certificate along with the ATC 2nd class medical which I cleared. I called the sothern region medical,they told me to toss the notice and apologized for the mix-up. On a positive note its good to know that if I ever want a commercial pilot certificate I will have to submit that info inorder to obtain the proper medical certificate.
Less than a week left of work and I'll finally have some time off to spend time with my family and friends. Today is going to be an action packed day of starting to throw things away and pack. My goal is to have everything packed by next week Tuesday and moved to the garage for easy access when I move it all into storage. The only things I plan to take to OKC with me are a suitcase of clothes, my laptop, bowling balls, umpire equipment, and bike.
Thats all for today
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Randomness
The reality of leaving home and family is really starting to set in.....
I have notified most of my family and friends of getting hired. Everyone is very excited for me.
I guess I'm really starting to think about being so far away from everyone that I am already starting to get homesick. I think the reason its finally setting in is becasue I only have 4 more days of full time work, and 5 more days of the airport. I want to spend as much time as possible with family before I leave so my goal is to start packing on Tuesday. The faster I get everything packed and ready to go, the more time I will have to spend with family and friends.
Well, the best thing I can do is get through today and tomorrow working all these hours, rest on Monday and get to it. After that just take one day at a time. I wish I could write down everything thats going through my mind at this point, but it would be a jumbled ramble that wouldn't make sense. I'm confident that by the end of the week everything will be alright.
I have notified most of my family and friends of getting hired. Everyone is very excited for me.
I guess I'm really starting to think about being so far away from everyone that I am already starting to get homesick. I think the reason its finally setting in is becasue I only have 4 more days of full time work, and 5 more days of the airport. I want to spend as much time as possible with family before I leave so my goal is to start packing on Tuesday. The faster I get everything packed and ready to go, the more time I will have to spend with family and friends.
Well, the best thing I can do is get through today and tomorrow working all these hours, rest on Monday and get to it. After that just take one day at a time. I wish I could write down everything thats going through my mind at this point, but it would be a jumbled ramble that wouldn't make sense. I'm confident that by the end of the week everything will be alright.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Heading to OKC
Sorry I've taken this long to update the blog. I wanted to inform family and friends personally before "going public".
I called the Office of Personnel Management several times late last week and early this week checking the status on my security and medical clearances. I eventually got an email back saying my security cleared but they were waiting on my medical. I took the initiative to find out if there was anything I could do to speed the process up. I was given the number to the southern region, where my medical paperwork would be, and asked if they had my clearance. I got work that I was medically cleared about a week after the PEPC in Jacksonville. I informed them that OPM didn't get the clearance and asked if they could call them and send them that information. It was about an hour later when I got the call stating that I was cleared for OKC and will be reporting for the March 31st class. My girlfriend was with me when I got this news and we were both very excited as we had just gotten back from Portland. I took her along to see the city and whatnot. I was also there to visit the facility and meet some of my future co-workers and manager.
I was and still am ecstatic! I drafted my separation notices with my 3 employers and reconfirmed that I would be receiving a final offer of employment.
TANGENT- Back in December I requested to take my full 2 weeks of vacation starting March 14th. It still hadn't been approved. I kept calling the main office demanding I receive an answer to if my vacation was approved or denied. It was finally approved. Once I had it in writing I made my end date March 22nd. My last working day March 14th.
With Air Wisconsin I submitted my 2 week notice my last day working minus shift switches being March 16th.
Racine Commercial Airport March 22nd.
END TANGENT
On March 6th I received my final offer via email, and had to submit 18 pages of paperwork, some of which I had filled out 4 or 5 times prior. The one piece of paperwork that made all of this hit home and made me realize that it was really happening was my W-4 form for taxes and my direct deposit form.
It was at this time I called my dad. He was the first one to know. I haven't seen my father this happy since I graduated for college, high school, and when I recorded my first and only shutout against Escanaba. It was about 2 in the afternoon and we met up at a bar close to where I live and had a few beers, talked about what my plans were and gave him details as to what was happening. I also called and told my mom who I could tell was also very proud and happy that I finally caught a break.
Personal Tangent-
I want to say that my life, or life for that matter is not easy, I had created most of my own pain and strife due to bad decisions in the workforce. I thought ever since high school I was destined to become a police officer. I had tried and tried and tries to get on, turned a position down because it was too far away from home at one time. Gotten close with others but was always haunted by my piss poor work history. Only in the last few years have I shaped up and treated every job I had as if it were my last and became more responsible. I'm very prod of myself that I have finally earned thru self perseverance a career which I will spend the remainder of my adult life learning and growing in. I lucky to have gotten into something I enjoy and will enjoy when the day is over.
End tangent-
My work was just beginning I still had a lot to do in a short amount of time. The first thing is finding my cousin a new roommate to complete the lease at our apartment. At the same time I was struggling to find a roommate for myself when I get to OKC. Fortunately I caught a break via one of the networking websites I belong to. I have a place to stay which is going to be cheaper than any of the other FAA housing places. Everywhere I had called didn't have anything until the end of April. I have a place as soon as I arrive on the 28th to get settled.
That's really all I have to update at this time. I'm going to get on the ball with this blog and update it daily with my activities at OKC in the hope that it will help others who will follow.
I called the Office of Personnel Management several times late last week and early this week checking the status on my security and medical clearances. I eventually got an email back saying my security cleared but they were waiting on my medical. I took the initiative to find out if there was anything I could do to speed the process up. I was given the number to the southern region, where my medical paperwork would be, and asked if they had my clearance. I got work that I was medically cleared about a week after the PEPC in Jacksonville. I informed them that OPM didn't get the clearance and asked if they could call them and send them that information. It was about an hour later when I got the call stating that I was cleared for OKC and will be reporting for the March 31st class. My girlfriend was with me when I got this news and we were both very excited as we had just gotten back from Portland. I took her along to see the city and whatnot. I was also there to visit the facility and meet some of my future co-workers and manager.
I was and still am ecstatic! I drafted my separation notices with my 3 employers and reconfirmed that I would be receiving a final offer of employment.
TANGENT- Back in December I requested to take my full 2 weeks of vacation starting March 14th. It still hadn't been approved. I kept calling the main office demanding I receive an answer to if my vacation was approved or denied. It was finally approved. Once I had it in writing I made my end date March 22nd. My last working day March 14th.
With Air Wisconsin I submitted my 2 week notice my last day working minus shift switches being March 16th.
Racine Commercial Airport March 22nd.
END TANGENT
On March 6th I received my final offer via email, and had to submit 18 pages of paperwork, some of which I had filled out 4 or 5 times prior. The one piece of paperwork that made all of this hit home and made me realize that it was really happening was my W-4 form for taxes and my direct deposit form.
It was at this time I called my dad. He was the first one to know. I haven't seen my father this happy since I graduated for college, high school, and when I recorded my first and only shutout against Escanaba. It was about 2 in the afternoon and we met up at a bar close to where I live and had a few beers, talked about what my plans were and gave him details as to what was happening. I also called and told my mom who I could tell was also very proud and happy that I finally caught a break.
Personal Tangent-
I want to say that my life, or life for that matter is not easy, I had created most of my own pain and strife due to bad decisions in the workforce. I thought ever since high school I was destined to become a police officer. I had tried and tried and tries to get on, turned a position down because it was too far away from home at one time. Gotten close with others but was always haunted by my piss poor work history. Only in the last few years have I shaped up and treated every job I had as if it were my last and became more responsible. I'm very prod of myself that I have finally earned thru self perseverance a career which I will spend the remainder of my adult life learning and growing in. I lucky to have gotten into something I enjoy and will enjoy when the day is over.
End tangent-
My work was just beginning I still had a lot to do in a short amount of time. The first thing is finding my cousin a new roommate to complete the lease at our apartment. At the same time I was struggling to find a roommate for myself when I get to OKC. Fortunately I caught a break via one of the networking websites I belong to. I have a place to stay which is going to be cheaper than any of the other FAA housing places. Everywhere I had called didn't have anything until the end of April. I have a place as soon as I arrive on the 28th to get settled.
That's really all I have to update at this time. I'm going to get on the ball with this blog and update it daily with my activities at OKC in the hope that it will help others who will follow.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
FAA Pre Employment Processing Center (PEPC)
It has been a week since I headed to Hilliard, FL for my PEPC with the FAA. The final step of the process before I receive my final offer.
On Wednesday I received my counter to counter passes to fly on Delta Airlines. Just my luck all flights from Atlanta to Jacksonville were overbooked. I had to fly into Brunswick Georgia. Luckily the woman I was sitting next to on the plane had the intention to go to Jacksonville and was non-reving like myself. Her husband picked her up and offered me a ride to Jacksonville so that I could make my appointment the next morning. whew!
I woke up at 5am and headed from the Best Western back to the airport to pick up my rental car which we had problems with the previous night. Got it with no problem and began my 45min drive north to the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) for my appointment. I arrived right on time.
I was very fortunate to have my interview weeks earlier at Milwaukee, becasue I was able skip the interview step at the center. I went directly to a room where members of the Office of Personal Management were seated. The gave me my written tenative offer which I immediately accepted. From there I went directly to the medical. I had to fill out some forms first and give a urine sample. I was then called into the flight surgeon's office and given a through exam. After that was over I was escorted to another room where I was given the eye exam. It was pretty much like at the DMV only a little more in depth. Next I was put in a sound proof room given a headset and had to click a switch everytime I heard a beep in the headset. Next was the EKG test where I was hooked up to a heart monitor. The nurse attached several leds to my chest and I ended up falling asleep. Finally they took another urine sample for a drug test and I was done.
I met back up with my escort for the day, Michael Gunn, who is the air traffic manager for Augusta, GA ATCT/TRACON. I was taken to a different part of the building for the psychological exam. 340 egghead true/false questions mostly asking me if I do sexual things that are abnormal, I have someone controlling my brain, or if I would like to be a florist. You know the type of questions if you have ever had this test. Next I was taken into another room where I completed online all my background information. this step took the longest at about an hour and a half. Finally I was taken to another room and had 2 sets of fingerprints taken, after that was over I was free to leave.
Now the wait is on for 3-4 weeks until I get a yay or nay on my final offer.
On Wednesday I received my counter to counter passes to fly on Delta Airlines. Just my luck all flights from Atlanta to Jacksonville were overbooked. I had to fly into Brunswick Georgia. Luckily the woman I was sitting next to on the plane had the intention to go to Jacksonville and was non-reving like myself. Her husband picked her up and offered me a ride to Jacksonville so that I could make my appointment the next morning. whew!
I woke up at 5am and headed from the Best Western back to the airport to pick up my rental car which we had problems with the previous night. Got it with no problem and began my 45min drive north to the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) for my appointment. I arrived right on time.
I was very fortunate to have my interview weeks earlier at Milwaukee, becasue I was able skip the interview step at the center. I went directly to a room where members of the Office of Personal Management were seated. The gave me my written tenative offer which I immediately accepted. From there I went directly to the medical. I had to fill out some forms first and give a urine sample. I was then called into the flight surgeon's office and given a through exam. After that was over I was escorted to another room where I was given the eye exam. It was pretty much like at the DMV only a little more in depth. Next I was put in a sound proof room given a headset and had to click a switch everytime I heard a beep in the headset. Next was the EKG test where I was hooked up to a heart monitor. The nurse attached several leds to my chest and I ended up falling asleep. Finally they took another urine sample for a drug test and I was done.
I met back up with my escort for the day, Michael Gunn, who is the air traffic manager for Augusta, GA ATCT/TRACON. I was taken to a different part of the building for the psychological exam. 340 egghead true/false questions mostly asking me if I do sexual things that are abnormal, I have someone controlling my brain, or if I would like to be a florist. You know the type of questions if you have ever had this test. Next I was taken into another room where I completed online all my background information. this step took the longest at about an hour and a half. Finally I was taken to another room and had 2 sets of fingerprints taken, after that was over I was free to leave.
Now the wait is on for 3-4 weeks until I get a yay or nay on my final offer.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Headed to Jacksonville
Well today is the big day. I begin my journey to Jacksonville for my pre-employment testing with the FAA. Earlier this week I obtained my last years worth of medical records to take with me. I filled out all the required forms.
I spent Monday doing laundry and getting things together for my trip. One of the many obstacles was finding a flight down there. My free benefits didn't yield any positive results with open seats. I had to go from counter to counter at the airport to find an airline that had a "fly for free agreement" with Air Wisconsin. I found this with Delta. I had to remind my station manager several times to type up a required letterhead for my travel on Delta. He put it off until the last minute and didn't come into work the last day that I needed it. I had to ask our administrative assistant to type it up, and she said that we didn't have an agreement with Delta. She typed it up none the less. I won't find out if it was approved by Delta until I show up at the airport today. I spoke to Delta's station manager just before I turned it in and he said I should be OK.
After I get out of work I still have to pack my clothes and laptop. The first flight I can make is at 0955. If I get there it will be one of the many lucky breaks I got. I ended up with the last hotel room and rental car in Jacksonville. I just need the weather to cooperate.
I spent Monday doing laundry and getting things together for my trip. One of the many obstacles was finding a flight down there. My free benefits didn't yield any positive results with open seats. I had to go from counter to counter at the airport to find an airline that had a "fly for free agreement" with Air Wisconsin. I found this with Delta. I had to remind my station manager several times to type up a required letterhead for my travel on Delta. He put it off until the last minute and didn't come into work the last day that I needed it. I had to ask our administrative assistant to type it up, and she said that we didn't have an agreement with Delta. She typed it up none the less. I won't find out if it was approved by Delta until I show up at the airport today. I spoke to Delta's station manager just before I turned it in and he said I should be OK.
After I get out of work I still have to pack my clothes and laptop. The first flight I can make is at 0955. If I get there it will be one of the many lucky breaks I got. I ended up with the last hotel room and rental car in Jacksonville. I just need the weather to cooperate.
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