The best airport in the world?

[nice line-up]

Which airport do you think is the best to be an ATCO in (besides the one you are working in... :) ), from your own experience or somebody you know. In terms of salary, schedule, traffic and in general ?

[PPRuNe Radar]

What's an airport ?? <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Steep Approach]

....It's a ground level hold :) :)

[nice line-up]

No. It's a "ground level" (0000 feet?) workshop, where elves and fairies transform the squares and dots from the radar into airplanes, with people inside them!. . <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[IRVR]

Kabul international

not too busy and the wife has to wear a burka :)

[Scott Voigt]

Ok, I'll bite... DFW is one of the best. Lots of concrete, you can shoot aircraft off in any direction and there are enough aircraft to keep your interest &lt;G&gt;. The only downside is the location. The flat lands of Texas.

regards

[BEXIL160]

Scott...ref DFW. .Yeah, but the mountains are only a three hour drive away and it's only 40 mins or so to Billy Bobs &lt;g&gt;

Always fancied LEGE (Gerona), after a holiday there many years ago, but for interest I guess EDDF (Frankfurt) would be fun.

Top of the wish list, airport wise? Apologies to Scott, but DFW gets my vote.

Rgds BEX

[ive348]

I would have to go for something like Tahiti, although LEGE will do fine as well. Actually, any airport with low traffic, lots of sun and a bar close at hand sounds good to me. Don't know about DFW, but an airfield about the size of Manhattan sounds a bit busy. Does have sun and bar though.

[chiglet]

IMM[humble]O!. .It HAS to be Coolangatta. [no idea of the code]. .It's on the Gold Coast. 120k south of Brisbane, 150m from the beach. 400m from the RSL :) . .Are they recuiting? Are they boldocks....Baskets. .Well, one CAN dream...... .we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy

[refplus20]

YBCG

[Perth Control]

The old Perth AACC (YPPH). Best beaches in the world just down the road, good traffic levels, a wonderful lifestyle, fantastic weather and a great crew to work with. Shame they had to move us to Smellybourne / Brisvegas.

[Goldfish Watcher]

I heard a rumour that some cadets recently left CATC (the NATS training college) and went to a Spanish airport (Malaga?).

Anyone know if it's true - if so anyone know how they are getting on?

[BEXIL160]

Ahhhh Perth ACC...WA

Not strictly an Airport, but you could always go outside and see what was happening at Jandakot <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Visited the rellies there in the early 90's (the years, not the temps) and had a brief visit to the Centre. Met by the Superintendant (boss?) who was wearing a T-shirt and shorts. Great Bloke. Also did a good barbie.

Agree about the beaches as well. Walked down to Sorrento beach (nr. Hillarys) on my Birthday in May. Sat there all afternoon in temps of 25 degrees with only a Seagull and the Indian Ocean for company. BRILLIANT. (wondered why no-one about... cousin explained "Its Winter!!").

Must go back soon. Need some sort of excuse for visiting Joondalup relatives though.

The Solent ain't quite the same as the Indian Ocean. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Rgds BEX

[PakoSpain]

Where did you hear that rumour, GW? Quite false.. .The only way to work as ATCO in Spain is via ATC School (SENASA) in Madrid. To become ATCO here is also very difficult. You need a three year university (Master?) degree, an almost perfect knowledge of both english and spanish, some hard psicho tests an the proper medical check. If you're lucky to be one of the 250 chosen every year among the average 7000 applicants, then you study in Senasa for about 15 months before you get your ATC diploma.. .The lack of Air Traffic Controllers in Spain is becoming critical, and AENA is trying to, at least, double the capacity of the school. For instance, in Malaga 40 people are doing the job of 60, hard but well paid.. .By the way, I consider Malaga APP/TWR one of the best destinatios. Nice job, good weather, lots of golf courses, plenty of bars and restaurants and a brilliant night life for those who dare..... .Kind regards from sunny south. .Pako

[Scott Voigt]

BEXIL;

Well it would be nice if you came down for a visit &lt;G&gt;, but we will probably have to wait for that. I would upload a picture for everyone, but this doesn't seem to let me do it &lt;sigh&gt;...

Take care

[BEXIL160]

Like Arnie says, Scott, " I'll be back"

rgds BEX

[clipped_wings]

The best airport just has to be Dubai...right in the middle of town, fantastic terminal and ATC complex, climate's great except for three months of the year, salaries OK when you consider it's tax free and an enlightend policy on airport development. To top it all off Dubai is a great place to live.

Down side is the airport is a continuous construction site or as the locals say "It's the only construction site in the world has it's own international airport!"

[throw a dyce]

As far as salary goes then Hong Kong is probably the best.I spent over 3 years there and my bank manager doesn't send snotograms anymore.The work was not rewarding due to lots of factors,but mainly local rules,procedures etc.As far as Dubai,Perth and Coolangatta being so hot,then why are there so many from these places working in HK earning lots of dosh?

[Guy D'ageradar]

Ref Dubai - Sure the terminal's nice (even if Starbucks is at the other end) the quality of life / expat lifestyle has a lot going for it if you can survive / put up with the locals's driving & general arrogance. Work is interesting (or was, last year, before I left), if you don't mind Serco and the odd airmiss-causing military pilot that you can't bollock 'cos he'll have you sent home (or worse)!

Wouldn't say it's the best but certainly not the worst. As for the best - still looking.....

[89 steps to heaven]

Been to a few places, but I don't think you can beat Mackay. Great weather, no close, high terrain, interesting traffic mix (sometimes), good place to live. Just wish the Tower was closer to the apron.

Come to Convention 2002 Mackay and see for yourself.

[nice line-up]

Thank you, for all the nice answers. Sorry I haven't heard about your airport 89 steps, do you turn right or left at the equator, to find it?. . :)

[Flying Spaniard]

LEAL Alicante In Spain is a very relaxed place i got a appartment just on the beach in front of the APT and i have been to the tower a few times and it is a very modern thing for the place and very well orgenized in Spanish terms <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> . .Also LEMU is very nice i once saw a SU TU154 trying to land there thinking it was LEAL very funy to see the faces of the president of the aeroclub and the fat lady (atc) barking in spanish out of the window "not to lant ghere no alicante no no out, out....PUTO RUSO!!!! . .the runway is about 1200M i think so you could imagine what a tu154 would do with it.. .It went for a go around about 15 feet from touchdown.

[89 steps to heaven]

Nice lineup,

Proceed south to equator, turn right down east coast of Oz, remain 160nm north of the tropic of capricorn and you have arrived at Mackay, YBMK.

<img src="smile.gif" border="0">