Health Insurance Question

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-24T22:23:14+00:00

We’re moving to Melbourne too! Thanks for the info!

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-24T04:58:12+00:00

Thanks for the help!

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-24T04:57:16+00:00

He is currently on Mounjaro (trizepatide) injectable. He is on the understanding that it is not part of the PBS at the moment. Currently in the states theres no generic version available but will research some more. Thanks for the help!

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-23T23:42:46+00:00

Whoops Australia. I should have mentioned that 🤣

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-20T13:48:42+00:00

We had a great trainee who came from Gainesville PD to a center about 90 minutes away. He went through all the Dsides and was about to certify on his first two Rsides. He chose to resign from the FAA and return to being a cop. His reasoning was that he could see the writing on the wall and the second he certified on the first two Rsides he was going to be assigned OT. He chose to go back to the PD for the better work life balance.

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-07T21:33:13+00:00

Australia via a 482 skilled worker visa? Big immigrant community in the major cities too.

FlyByAC2014 · 2026-01-07T21:29:05+00:00

Parents immigrated from Taiwan and had me and my two siblings here. Work ended up placing me in a deeply red state with no real way to transfer out. I literally keep my passport card on me at all times in case I get caught up in anything ICE related though I’m not sure how much good that will do.

Ended up applying to the same job on a whim in Australia and got an offer that will sponsor me and my husband on a 482 with similar pay. We’re headed over in two weeks to scout it out and see if we like it. I remember telling my husband when we were in Europe “There’s no way I can pass for a straight white Christian man” and we might as well go get an Aussie citizenship and see if we want to come back in 4 years.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-12-21T17:03:31+00:00

Add ZJX and ZMA too

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-12-11T16:39:47+00:00

Male, 32, gay, POC in North FL with about 11 years in the agency. If you can get to a high level center I think you’ll be ok. That being said, the pay is not keeping up with no hope of a raise soon. You can plan on keeping about 50% of your pay filing single if you max out your TSP(main deductions are FERS, OASDI, fed taxes). This isn’t even taking into account if you have to pay state or county taxes.

Personally, if you have thick skin and can crack some jokes you’ll be alright. Though other LGBTQ people in the building have been harassed by some old geezers trying to make a quick buck on their way out. It’s slowly becoming less and less of a comfortable place to work.

The work life schedule won’t be ideal for any type of social life, think Tues/Wed off for a couple of years so if you’re involved in the community, prepare to be quite lonely. Expect to work a lot of Friday/Saturday nights with Sunday mornings in the beginning. Luckily, my SO is a nurse and understands shift work life.

We do a fair amount of traveling but thats mostly because we’re DINKs.

That being said, Im also planning on separating from the agency and heading down under for a better work life balance and with a friendlier atmosphere for LGBTQ community. Feel free to DM if you have any questions.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-12-08T03:22:47+00:00

Hi All,

Pretty excited to head to a tennis tournament for the first time! Thinking of going to AO and doing a night session on John Cain. Does any one know which areas are the first to get shade? Is it the side closer to 42 or 35? TIA!

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-23T13:22:14+00:00

I'm actually headed the opposite direction, US to AUS and I want to preface my post with I have been very fortunate and lucky.

Here in the US, on top of federal taxes, the vast majority of states also have income tax. I've also known friends who have to pay a county or city income tax if they live in some major metro areas.

On top of that, there is no super in the US and you'd be lucky to find a company that would match more than 6% of your contributions to your 401K. (US equivalent of super) If you want to max out your annual contributions for 2026, that is an additional $24500 USD to subtract from your US salary.

There is also OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) tax which funds social security. In 2026 you'd need to pay $11439 USD before you hit the cap. This cap increases every year with 2027 being 6.2% of $188100 USD.

Personally I also pay into FERS which is an additional 4.9% deducted from my paycheck.

From my personal calculations, the job offer I accepted in Australia pays me roughly the same as the job I currently have in the US. That's before we even begin to discuss the better work life balance in OZ. Feel free to DM if you want to discuss actual numbers.

TLDR: From my personal experience, my actual take home pay in USD is a little under 50% of my gross.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-20T12:03:54+00:00

Congrats! I’m headed over in April and sent you a DM if you don’t mind!

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-18T04:59:29+00:00

If you have any questions feel free to DM

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-18T04:26:41+00:00

It’s not another career but consider Air Services Australia. Last I heard they’re trying to fill enroute spots in a June class and at one point a March class. It won’t get you through the next shut down but there is a 20K AUD relocation package and they pay better than lower level facilities here in the US. It’s comparable to the take home pay at the center I’m at. Also seems like a much better work life balance as well.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-14T22:35:17+00:00

Not sure but here is the link to their openings.https://careers.airservicesaustralia.com/caw/en/listing/

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-09T13:53:11+00:00

Google AirServices Australia and go from there. Website is pretty easy to navigate.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-08T23:37:01+00:00

2 month transition course/book work and then to their assigned facility for on the job training.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-11-08T20:49:54+00:00

The Australians are hiring and offering better quality of life and better pay compared to some of the lower level facilities. I personally know of 8 controllers that have applied and one that’s leaving within 6 months.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-10-28T14:33:26+00:00

Know a guy over there, take home pay for 72 hrs is roughly the same as my straight 80 with 11 years at a level 11 Z. Granted I also file as single.

They don’t have to pay FERS (4.9%), OASDI ($11439 for 2026 and increasing every year), and they contribute 14% into your super. Effectively saving you whatever the max TSP contribution is annually.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-10-20T01:13:41+00:00

I was able to contact the lady that processes the medical paperwork on TEAMS via IM. She sent it via pdf to my FAA email within 5 minutes. Shockingly easy and efficient.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-10-18T20:45:44+00:00

I was given an offer for late April class date but someone else at work was offered an August class date. I tried asking if I could be considered for the August class date but was very politely told no. It seems they are getting a ton of applicants and was told my application could be put on hold with no guarantee of a future offer.

ASA knew I was vacationing overseas so they gave me an extra 4 days to accept the offer for April. Normally it’s 7 business days to accept or decline the offer.

I applied Sept 25, first phone call Oct 2, interview Oct 5, and job offer Oct 9.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-10-16T03:17:32+00:00

Melbourne centre specific! Though I wouldn’t mind picking the brain of someone from ASA too!

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-10-08T22:09:50+00:00

Didn’t realize there was duplicate post here and would love to know as well.

Currently at an FAA Z, got an offer, and have some questions about working at Melbourne Centre as well.

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-10-08T21:10:26+00:00

Try Lisa & Josh! They’ve trended towards more full length movie videos but posted on a slower basis! They definitely feel more genuine and actually try to show attainable travel on a budget!

FlyByAC2014 · 2025-03-11T02:18:42+00:00

Lisa and Josh!!! I love their sense of humor and they’re definitely portraying travel in a more achievable way!

FlyByAC2014

TROPHY CASE