shadyops

Would you leave a left seat position at a regional making 65k a year at 27 years old to take a job as a GA inspector for 90k a year with a pension?

Anyone know people who have done this and how they like working for the FAA?

Airborne1

I wouldn't do it. Inspectors are incredible well paid but the job is really boring. I really don't have very many good things to say about the FAA are far as job enjoyment. The FAA tends to hire many people that are not qualified for their jobs simply because of veteran’s preference points. So you will be surrounded by over paid, under qualified people. I was shocked to learn how many people here have little industry experience in many cases. Just like with anywhere else there are the good and poor employees.

The pay, vacation and benefits are unmatched; which is awesome.

shadyops

Are you currently employed by the FAA?

mike734

Keep trying to land your dream job until at least 30 and then decide.

USMCFLYR

Well.......I think that statement is awfully broad brushed myself; but it is your opinion. At least in my area of the FAA(since you didn't seem to be limiting your comments to the Inspector corps), I'd say that you are well off the mark.

To the OP, I have heard from some acquaintances working in the area in which you are inquiring and they would agree with you about the "boring part" of the job - very heavy in the paperwork areas for instance, but it could open doors for you too. I'm pretty sure though you won't be starting out at $90k though.

The FAA seems alot like many other venues. A lot of great people who work hard and do their best in tough jobs in a variety of areas. Another group of fence sitters just plodding along on a daily routine. And a small group who slipped through the cracks and we'd all be better off if they got bored enough to leave (the bottom 10%) that you'll find in almost any large (especially governmental organization)

USMCFLYR

slumav505

Couldn't you jump to a GA inspector directly from the right seat? That might be worth it.

Twin Wasp

A GS 11 base starts at about 50k.

shadyops

With 25 percent locality pay the announcement stated starting pay is 91k

I would like to hit my 1000 pic mark before leaving too...

USMCFLYR

The highest locality pay is the 25% I'm pretty sure so you'd be moving to one of the highest cost of living areas too then.

The math still doesn't add up. I don't remember but like TW said - starting at GS-11 is something in the $50k range. I used $55k and then added the 25% locality pay ($13,750) and came up with $68,750 total.

Do you have a link to the announcement shady?

There is a Aviation Safety Inspector (Cabin Safety) job open in Miramar, FL currently on the USAJOBS.gov site. It shows that it starts at a GS-12 ($60,274)+(15,068 - 25% loc pay) = $75,342

Now I don't know how long you stay a GS-12. Maybe there are quick promotions with some training. For instance, I was hired at GS-11, but within 1.5 months and the P135 Indoc course under my belt I was a GS-12.

I hve a hard time believing that you start in the $90k range, BUT it is still a good pay check and steady work (except for that little burp sometime ago).
The benefits are good and there is a retirement check at the end of 20 - though nowhere near what it use to be with FERS vice CSRS.

There are lots of other jobs at the FAA shady if you are interested in other aspects of aviation, I'm interested in the safety realm if I lose my medical for instance. I have a long safety background and wouldn't mind putting it to work in any number of departments within the FAA (education, training, etc...) and like I said before - once on board - moving around inside the agency (not to mention the entire gov't GS wide) is much easier. Just something else to think about.

USMCFLYR

Shady - there are a few other threads with some information like this one:
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/hi...7-job-faa.html

You can also search FAA+Safety in the titles and come up with a few other threads that might give you some answers.

PeeWeePilot

"...and like I said before - once on board - moving around inside the agency (not to mention the entire gov't GS wide) is much easier. Just something else to think about.

USMCFLYR"

I agree with USMCFLYR, the hard part is getting in. Once you are in, moving around the system can be easy. A booming area in the future is UAVs. I was originally hired in at the J Band/ 13 Level for my position, UAV Safety Inspector. After being furloughed from UAL, it took me a year and half to find a job. This is not a bad place to be depending on your supervisor. I have heard some bad stories. I hear FSDO life can be tough the first year. Like they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. If UAL ever gets their act together, I may return. If it wasn't for the ability to continue flying with the Navy Reserve, I would be pulling out my hair.

USMCFLYR send me a PM. Would like to talk about Flight Check.

Pee-Wee