ATC and the Big D Update

{image via here}

This weekend we went to Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX so Albert could take his Air Traffic Control test -- the test that the FAA uses to weed out their hiring pool. Generally controllers are hired after they've completed an FAA approved program and taken the ATC test, Albert is currently enrolled in such a program, but occasionally when they need a larger pool to choose from, the FAA will allow anyone to take the test. Albert qualified to take the test and we decided he should take it in Arlington, TX so we could 1) see our friends the Granadas who recently moved back there, and 2) we could check out the Lone Star state to see if we might want to move there someday (more on that later).

So Albert took the test last Friday and felt horrible about it afterwards. He was sure he failed and would have to re-take the test after he finishes school. It seemed like from the forums that most people feel pretty bad about taking the test so I wasn't too worried. Today I got a very excited voicemail from Albert with very good news. He got a 99.9 (that's out of a 100 folks)!!! Since whether or not you're hired is largely based on your score, Albert's future (and mine) is looking pretty bright right now :D Yay Albert!!

The hiring process takes months, generally about a year, and includes some interviews and culminating with two months training in Oklahoma. You are required to name two states where you wouldn't mind living and they choose an airport or center for you. You have a better chance of getting hired if you pick a state where they need controllers like NYC or LA.

We would really love to stay in Virginia and there are a couple big airports and centers in state so it's possible that we could get our wish. The downside about staying in Northern VA is the high cost of living and in particular the extremely high housing costs. It would be a while before we could afford a townhouse, which is a huge drawback. For our second option we've been tossing around the idea of either Florida or Texas. Since Albert had only been to El Paso and I had never been to Texas we couldn't really say either way, thus we went to Dallas this weekend.

I think we're leaning towards D/FW, TX as our second choice for the following reasons (these are more my reasons):

• While neither state has state income tax and both have great housing prices, it's cooler (temperature-wise) in Dallas and the houses in Texas are brick! I LOVE brick houses. You should have seen these mansions they have that are all under $1 million. They are beautiful!
• We also liked the city of Dallas. I'm sort of a city girl now and like the fast-paced bustle, plus the skyline was nice (pictures to come).
• There is a ton of shopping in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, an awesome highway system, and all the Mexican food you can eat.
• They have tornadoes instead of hurricanes in the Dallas area and I'm really afraid of flood damage.
• I like that Ft. Worth and Dallas are so different. If you don't like where you live there's a good chance you can find another neighborhood in the Metroplex that suites you better.
• I decided if we go back to TX I'm going to buy a sweet pair of cowboy boots.
• Neither of us are much into the ocean anyway.
• The flat barren land reminds me of WY except it's humid, which I love.
• There are about twice as many LDS people in TX than FL.

I guess we'll see how it goes. Florida still has some good things going for it, like it's close to family and it's warm all year round. It's hard to tell if you'd like to live in a place after going there for only a weekend. Plus we choose a state not a city, although I guess you have some control by introducing yourself to management at the airport/center you want to work at. It'll be nice if Albert can get hired sooner than later so we can start feeling more settled.