How long after you graduate an Air Traffic Controller program do you go to Oklahoma City?

Question

My fiance just got accepted to an Air Traffic Controller program at CCBC, he is starting in January '09 and will be done May '10. I want to get married in October '10, but I'm not sure when he will have to complete the 12 weeks in Oklahoma City. Does anyone know how the system works?

Answer 1

Expect 6-8 months from graduation to showing in OKC.  There will be a processing called a PEPC probably 4 months after graduation.  

You will have your wedding, but might want to make a contigency plan for a delayed honeymoon, however unlikely.  

Also, is he enroute or terminal at CCBC?  Message me and I can give some head ups.  I've got tips either way, but above all don't put off the flying.  The weather in beaver is BAD.  You don't want him to be the guy hanging around a semester because he slacked off on the flyign part only to find out what a western PA winter is really like.

Answer 2

There is no rhyme or reason to how the FAA works... no consistency, nothing. You may wait 2 weeks or 2 years, it's anybody's guess. Your best bet is to plan the wedding and not worry about your fiance's OKC classdates. If he happens to get an classdate that interferes with your wedding, simply explain the situation to the FAA and they will work with you. A few of my Academy classmates had to do this and had no problem getting into a classdate of their choice! By the way, I attended CCBC in 2003 and their program is one of the very, VERY best!

Answer 3

I am afraid it is not good news. There is such a shortage of controllers and a huge backlog of people for the Oklahoma course that you may wait months for a place. Once you get through Oklahoma, you can wait a couple of years before you start operational training. Most facilities have way more trainees than they can deal with and its getting worse.