We pride ourselves in working to ensure the American taxpayers reap maximum benefit from the dollars they spend in training air traffic controllers. In recognition of this duty, and to enhance safety, efficiency, and morale, NATCA will seek to ensure the FAA makes every effort to fill vacancies with Certified Professional Controllers who meet the qualifications, are fully certified at their current facility for 12 months, and who express a desire to relocate to areas where vacancies exist. This policy also ensures the greatest return on investment possible for newly hired air traffic controllers who will, as a consequence, generally be placed in lower level ATC facilities where they have a greater opportunity to be successful.

Rationale: We believe the added wording enhances the theme of “ensures the greatest return on investment possible.” Requiring a CPC to be certified for 12 months at their current facility before being eligible to transfer to a new facility allows the CPC to further develop skills, proficiency, and confidence in their job, which in turn will make them more likely to be successful at their future facility. It also allows the CPC to be eligible for OJTI, allowing them to help train their replacement. This maximizes the investment of the losing facility and consequently makes the CPC more immediately valuable to the gaining facility once certified. Additionally, the wording prohibits trainees from the transfer process, allowing them to focus on training and certifying at their current facility.