ATC IssuesA place where pilots may enter the 'lions den' that is Air Traffic Control in complete safety and find out the answers to all those obscure topics which you always wanted to know the answer to but were afraid to ask.
If English is the 'international language of civil aviation', why do applicants need to be fluent in "ICAO Level 4 Spanish", (whatever that is)?
P.S. How long does it take to acquire this qualification?
P.P.S. Is there a dispensation if you already hold a Santander bank account?
English is not the "international language of civil aviation, technically, according to ICAO, English, Spanish or Russian may be used, how they arrived at that I don't know, but that's the mantra they preach. Each country has the right to insist that pilots and ATCOs speak the native language at a proficiently technical level. ICAO give guidance as to they pre requistes for these standards and candidates are required to meet them. Although RT may be predominantly conducted in English at major airports, other smaller airports may restrict communications in anything other than Spanish to non native pilots. Nearly all landline communications will almost certainly be conducted in Spanish. It takes as long as it takes you to be able to speak and read Spanish to a reasonably good level to "get this qualification", you won't get the job without it, (adopting the "Brit' abroad policy", i.e. shouting loudly in English, will not suffice).
By all means give me your Santander bank account number, sort code and PIN and I'd be happy to get you to the front of the queue.
Thanx for giving your opinion about ICAO language.... but really that was not the purpose of the thread!
I'd like to know if any of you guys did already apply and if yes, what happened then? Anybody already working for that company? and if yes what are the conditions? I'm considering to cross the atlantic (the other way this time) if the offer becomes to be serious. Spanish is not a problem as I'm fluent and frequently visiting friends in Spain... Thanks again for giving clues!
If the privatization finally takes place, the conditions would be much worse than before: around 35-42.000 per year working around 1600 hours. Itīs the only way the new companies would make it profitable.
Lets face it though, the Spanish have been living the life of Riley (along with the Greeks and a few other countries currently engaged in totally ******* Europe up) so its only really a reality check.
Just a question through pure ignrorance, I don't really understand why you say companies wouldnīt make profit if theire staff worked less hours and earned more than what you quote... For instance, the main reason (apparently) why AENA has been having the financiall difficulties it has had, is mainly because of all the works/construction of airports they built around spain,(followed, by the typicall ill managment and administration: but that's another cup of tea) and not because of the high salaries the ATC's had . So, if AENA could afford to pay those salaries, why wouldn't any other private company be able to?.
Just a question through pure ignrorance, I don't really understand why you say companies wouldnīt make profit if theire staff worked less hours and earned more than what you quote... For instance, the main reason (apparently) why AENA has been having the financiall difficulties it has had, is mainly because of all the works/construction of airports they built around spain,(followed, by the typicall ill managment and administration: but that's another cup of tea) and not because of the high salaries the ATC's had . So, if AENA could afford to pay those salaries, why wouldn't any other private company be able to?.
This is due to the conditions of the licitation (i donīt know if this word is right in english, iīm completely ignorant in english economic technical vocabulary). Itīs not an "old days" privatization, itīs just an agreement for 5 years during which the new companies assume the management of these towers with their own controllers for a certain amount of money. After very few calculations, those are the conditions they would have to impose to be profitable.
General elections in Spain: the political party that is most likely going to win has already said that they will maintain the towers ownership in State hands.
General elections in Spain: the political party that is most likely going to win has already said that they will maintain the towers ownership in State hands.
Spanish friends tell me that this is just another very hollow political promise which they will not follow up on. Everyone is aware that there are far more pressing priorities in Spain, keeping the very significant costs to the tax payers down and maintaining even the most basic public sector services going being just two of a very long list. Privatision of the services at the airports is essential just to keep them going.
.
