It's a matter of Priorities

[PappaGun]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the forum and lurked for awhile before posting. I gotta say, I've learned allot here in very little time. There are many smart and well informed people on this forum.
I especially enjoy Mr. Rothstein's perspectives.
I want to throw out a story and some thoughts that reflect the current state of the CHL wait time as I see it.
I hope this doesn't sound too much like the rant it's supposed to be.
GrannyGun and I just recently moved to Texas (Dec. 08)
I did not have my CHL in the previous homestead, but that's one of the first things I am doing here.
GrannyGun came home today and told me something that got me thinking and I thought I'd pass it along.
GrannyGun is getting her teaching license here. She took her final state exams last Friday (2-20) and got her results today (2-23)!!!
She said everyone who worked for the company handling the exams was courteous and helpful and did everything they could to get the test started and completed on time.
She will have her license shortly.
Now, this gets my blood boiling because some who say they have a clean record on this site have waited almost a year for their plastic.
I will grant that taking an exam and grading it is allot easier than performing background checks and depending on others outside of DPS's control to get what is needed back to them.
However, I believe the major difference in how quickly the results are obtained is that teacher exams are handled by a private, for profit, company.
Maybe the state should contract the whole process out. Perhaps this would speed things up if the contractor did not get paid until an application was processed.
This indicates to me where the State's priorities lie. Yes, teachers are VERY important. Yes CHL holders are VERY important. But the fact two Very important license types are handled so differently and that CHL licenses take so long tells me that the State has not yet prioritized CHL licensing as it should.
It seems to me that a private company could handle the application process more efficiently and more consistently than the State (as is ALWAYS the case IMHO).
Just my $0.02 anyway.
What do yall think?

[Oldgringo]

Can anyone name any government agency/office anywhere that is noted for its efficiency?

[will381796]

Can anyone name any government agency/office anywhere that is noted for its efficiency?

The IRS? Just cuz they want your money. haha

[boomerang]

GrannyGun is getting her teaching license here. She took her final state exams last Friday (2-20) and got her results today (2-23)!!!

CHL is even better. You'll know if you passed the written and practical tests right away. No three day wait!

[stevie_d_64]

Can anyone name any government agency/office anywhere that is noted for its efficiency?

OHHHHH....OHHHHHHH...Mistah Kottah....Meester Kottah!!! I know, I know...

BTW, "Wife Unit" is almost done with her state cert as well...Mid May and she should be done...She still has to take the PPR and another teacher test thing (I'm not all that up on the terminology) and that should do it...

I'm still wondering how the background check is going to go, and if her current CHL will somehow come out in that wash and be on her teaching record...I still have not gotten a good read on that concern...

I'm concerned if it will put her under additional scrutiny by an employer if it is placed in her background check and into her personnel file...

[LarryH]

It's not so in all things, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fairly efficient in pilot certification matters.

When you take the knowledge test (formerly written test, but they're all taken on networked computers now) for a pilot certificate or rating, you know your score, pass/fail AND the categories of questions that were missed immediately.

When you take the practical test (formerly flight test), you also know pass/fail immediately (and why). The examiner fills out a temporary certificate that you can use while the FAA paperwork mill processes and prints your permanent certificate. So the brand-new private pilot can take his/her first passenger for a ride later the same day, if he/she chooses.

[PappaGun]

It's not so in all things, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fairly efficient in pilot certification matters.

When you take the knowledge test (formerly written test, but they're all taken on networked computers now) for a pilot certificate or rating, you know your score, pass/fail AND the categories of questions that were missed immediately.

When you take the practical test (formerly flight test), you also know pass/fail immediately (and why). The examiner fills out a temporary certificate that you can use while the FAA paperwork mill processes and prints your permanent certificate. So the brand-new private pilot can take his/her first passenger for a ride later the same day, if he/she chooses.

Thanks LarryH.

That's my point.
When commercial interests are at stake, poor performance is less likely.
With CHL's, there is no commercial interest.
The State is certainly not making a whole lot of money at $140. I would be willing to pay more for a guaranteed turnaround of say 30 days and better communication. No excuses.
And with that fee, I believe it would be better handled by a private firm.

[Purplehood]

I would think that having a private company handling it might create problems with NICS and the like. However, if the company has the security clearance and bonding that would be required, I don't see any problem.

[barres]

It's not so in all things, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fairly efficient in pilot certification matters.

When you take the knowledge test (formerly written test, but they're all taken on networked computers now) for a pilot certificate or rating, you know your score, pass/fail AND the categories of questions that were missed immediately.

When you take the practical test (formerly flight test), you also know pass/fail immediately (and why). The examiner fills out a temporary certificate that you can use while the FAA paperwork mill processes and prints your permanent certificate. So the brand-new private pilot can take his/her first passenger for a ride later the same day, if he/she chooses.

Thanks LarryH.

That's my point.
When commercial interests are at stake, poor performance is less likely.
With CHL's, there is no commercial interest.
The State is certainly not making a whole lot of money at $140. I would be willing to pay more for a guaranteed turnaround of say 30 days and better communication. No excuses.
And with that fee, I believe it would be better handled by a private firm.

You might be willing to pay more, but in this economy, some of us are really have to scrimp and save to get the $140 to pay for things the way they are right now. Plus the class fees on top of that. Plus pictures. I think our bank will still notarize for free and our Sheriff's Office will fingerprint for free. I have my CHL (after scrimping and saving for a while), but I want my wife to have hers, too. I think I've finally convinced her that it's important enough to prioritize, but $140 isn't chump change to us.

[PappaGun]

It's not so in all things, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fairly efficient in pilot certification matters.

When you take the knowledge test (formerly written test, but they're all taken on networked computers now) for a pilot certificate or rating, you know your score, pass/fail AND the categories of questions that were missed immediately.

When you take the practical test (formerly flight test), you also know pass/fail immediately (and why). The examiner fills out a temporary certificate that you can use while the FAA paperwork mill processes and prints your permanent certificate. So the brand-new private pilot can take his/her first passenger for a ride later the same day, if he/she chooses.

Thanks LarryH.

That's my point.
When commercial interests are at stake, poor performance is less likely.
With CHL's, there is no commercial interest.
The State is certainly not making a whole lot of money at $140. I would be willing to pay more for a guaranteed turnaround of say 30 days and better communication. No excuses.
And with that fee, I believe it would be better handled by a private firm.

You might be willing to pay more, but in this economy, some of us are really have to scrimp and save to get the $140 to pay for things the way they are right now. Plus the class fees on top of that. Plus pictures. I think our bank will still notarize for free and our Sheriff's Office will fingerprint for free. I have my CHL (after scrimping and saving for a while), but I want my wife to have hers, too. I think I've finally convinced her that it's important enough to prioritize, but $140 isn't chump change to us.

Never said it was chump change.
I'm currently looking for a job and making it work because now I have the time.
Perhaps a tiered pricing as in Passports.
You could get a rush on it by paying an extra hundred bucks if you wanted to.