Hi there,
Are ATSA's attached to a watch or on shifts?
Yes to both. ATSAs working in operational areas (i.e the VCR / Approach or Area Centres) are indeed attached to watches and work shifts - usually in the pattern MMAANNOOOO but not by any means exclusively. Those deployed elsewhere may work days or a shift pattern that doesn't include nights or weekends.
Do these sort of positions come up often?
Speaking for NATS I'd have to say - operationally to outside candidates - no.
But there are many ATSAs employed in simulation work at the college down in Bournemouth, Terminal Control down at LTCC and at the three Area Control Centres (Swanwick, Prestwick and of course Manchester) . These jobs seem to appear on the intranet very often indeed - probably due to the high turnover in staff (most simulator staff move onwards and upwards within NATS to operational roles). If the posts aren't filled internally then they will be offered to external candidates. Best idea if you're interested in such a post is to pop a few CVs off to the appropriate recruitment department at the unit of your interest.
It's much easier to be employed as an operational ATSA within NATS if you're already within the organisation.
This shouldn't discourage you to pop your cv off to as many places as you're interested in if that's your plan.
I obviously can't comment on non-NATS airfields but I know some of them offer some lucky ATSAs ATCO training and subsequent validation if they are deemed to be of a high enough standard. Leeds and Liverpool spring to mind here.
Is most of the training on the job or are you sent on a course?
For NATS as far as I'm aware the college down in Bournemouth run a two / three week course for all new ATSA staff. That would only teach the basics of course - 90% of the training is on the job I would say.
Is the going rate still 13-14K? (I think that was mentioned on a previous thread [NATS Airports anyway])
For NATS airport ATSAs it is somewhat higher than that at about 19k - 23k (ATSA2 grade). Those who work in ACCs (ATSA3) earn more than that again. For your information I think those in the ATSA1 grade (most simulation input staff and some operational tower ATSAs) earn 16k - 19k.
Beware though, NATS staff are paid much more than their non-NATS equivalents as a general rule. A left over from the civil service days I think
Are ATSA's dying out with the introduction of electronic strips etc?
Complicated one this....
I'd say as a very long-term answer yes, certainly in operational roles. Electronic strips are due to be trialed at the moment at some major UK NATS airfields. If that trial were successful I would imagine it to become a death knell for tower ATSAs - perhaps not completely but certainly in terms of the numbers we have at the moment. Area-wise I'd say the threat is this new proposed Spanish system that is largely automated. But it will still need ATSAs in some part one would imagine - to take telephone calls, flight plans and the like.
In short then the answer, long term, is yes - eventually and provided the technology eventually appears.
But we've been saying that for years.
And there will always be a requirement for simulation ATSAs I'd think. Until we do what the Spanish do and get trainee pilots in to do the blip driving
I hope this helps you a bit and good luck!
(knew "she'd" come in useful one day
)