Ferris and all;
The idea about hiring folks from outside the borders has never been kicked about here. Not even when they fired most of the folks back in 81. Probably the reason is that there has never been a lack of applicants. The military alone puts out quite a few folks who have what we call a CTO (Control Tower Operators Certificate). The only problem that we are facing is that the FAA isn't hiring anyone right now due to a monetary problem. As in not enough of it for the agency.
We are supposed to hire 800 the end of September (our fiscal year starts in October) but even that may not happen. The money for this year for hiring has been nil, and next year looks even worse. So our problem isn't one of not being able to find folks who want the job, it is having the money to hire anyone... That is part of the problem that one has when at the whims of politics. <sigh> Oh well, such is life, I see that NAVCanada just upped the price of flying even more and they still don't have 100% staffing, nor does NATS from what I hear...
take care
Scott
18 months and elligible to retire <G>.