Our office currently has a guy with a tentative offer but being told there is a hiring freeze and not being processed. Who knows.

I can second this. I had a temporary offer, but do to Covid-19, all offices are re-evaluating the needs of the agency. Any historical insight if temporary offers expire or are rescinded? If not, then Are those individuals instead in a pool?

In government speak, what's happening is the agency has a total number of bodies it may have at any given time. Then each division has a number as well. Right now the agency is at the staffing level, so no new hires.

However, if someone retires or resigns, then that opens slots. This is a yearly occurrence about this time every year.

My advice is to hang tight, let them sort through the numbers. Stay in touch with them and hopefully once they parse out the numbers they will move ahead with bringing people in.

And our office has a new hire ASI Ops starting next week. I would think you are right there on the bubble. A coworker went through the same thing a couple of years ago and his start date was pushed about a month.

^^^What he said.... My opinion - It’s no coincidence that most new hire “pickup dates” occur late September each year. Fiscal Year ends 9/30/2020. As TD stated, the staffing numbers are crunched and revised toward the end of the FY. Last week- Overstaffed. Next week- “We’re short staffed - Hurry up and hire!”....

Flight Standards has reached its hiring goal for FY 2020. Tentative Offers do not expire, however the drug test is only good for six months and there is a limit to the duration of a security clearance. Also, if you were covered by the pre-employment memo (meaning you have an acceptable industry check) the check may expire. Leadership is evaluating their needs for the rest of the FY, and will onboard employees looking at the overall health of the Service. There are administrative needs, and some inspector needs, particularly in hard to fill locations. Most likely, any inspector candidate with a TOL will be onboarded, but only after October 1. As it says it the TOL, don't quit your job or sell your house.

It was discussed this morning. Sucks for the few that will get terminated by their current employer when the background check hits.

Terminated? I hadn’t heard such a thing.

To be clear. The reference was to someone whose current employer gets the background check request and tells their current employer ‘don’t let the door hit you in the rear’.

Great way to get on the good side of a future ASI. lol

Hahahha. I just love the guys that brag about calling and cussing out someone at the FSDO. Way to win friends and influence people.