A couple of questions

[flyingwingofjazzdestiny]

Hello there,. . I just found out that I have successfully got. .through the final interview stage to become a. .student ATCO!! <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> . .However, I have a couple of questions.. .How long does the initial medical take?. .I am planning to fly down to Heathrow from. .Glasgow and back the same day. Is this possible?

Also, are there any surprises? . .I consider myself pretty fit and although I wear glasses, I don`t think they are particularly . .strong. I sent a prescription with my initial application so should I be OK?. .Is the limit -3 or -5 dioptres? I have seen . .conflicting limits mentioned.

Anyway, all being well I should start in July.. .Anyone else starting then? If so, give us a shout!

[Goldfish Watcher]

Medical takes ages because your sitting around waiting for most of the time.

I flew Glasgow to Gatwick and back on the same day so it was no bother. NATS will cover the expense too.. .Dont worry about the eyesight test - you wouldnt have even got an interview if your prescription wasnt within the limits.

No nasty surprises - No fingers up bums or anything like that. just make sure you're wearing clean undercrackers <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

[flyingwingofjazzdestiny]

Cheers GW!

[helicon1]

where and when did u have your interview? mine was jan 14th at prestwick and i haven't received word back. in fact, i phoned them this morning and was told that no letters had been sent out yet.

congratulations on getting through :)

[SWMAE03]

Had my medical at the beginning of January. Started at 15.00, and I got out at about 16.45. Lots of form-filling, urine test (which I had to do twice), eyesight test, hearing test, ECG (which I will probably have to do again), general physical examination (including coughing and dropping!!!) haemoglobin test, lung capacity test (with a nasty little chest infection). Height vs weight. Very little waiting around. No real shocks, and believe me, I'm far from fit!

[flyingwingofjazzdestiny]

Helicon - My interview was around the same time and place as yours.. .I hope you get in!

SWMAE03 - Thanks for the info. .-How long did it take to hear back after your medical?. .And also, I received a letter requesting that. .I bring with me a chest X-Ray report.. .Did you have to get one of these?. .I thought that is something that they would do at Heathrow. . .Cheers

[SWMAE03]

Still haven't heard back from them yet, (neither has the recruitment dept at NATS,) but I think they would tell you there and then if something was wrong (like I may have to have another ECG because the one I took was "fast").

They don't have any x-ray facilities at Heathrow, hence the "get your own x-ray" stance. It's a bit inconvenient to make the arrangements (see your GP, get referred, get an appointment with x-ray etc etc) but easy enough.

Best of luck to you