Well then, count yourself lucky, the first time we got to see a centre (except if you had a pre-interview visit) was when we were posted there. A short trip to Swanwick was conducted on Area 1 assessment day to get us out the way but that was
3 years before opening.
Teaching all 3 disciplines is far too wasteful of both time and money, its never going to happen again. Having a 'choice' isn't necessarily a good thing, the instructors could probably place you well following a few weeks watching your skills and move you into a discipline that will give you best chance of validation. I know there isn't lots of information out there about the actual job however you should have done enough research into the job to probably have a preference on first day. As has been stated though, everyone looks to the big places, ie Heathrow Tower, and that just aint gonna happen for many. The negativity you mention is a problem though, and shows that its all through NATS at most levels. I don't totally agree with the attitude brought into training (from both sides), telling you every hurdle you can fail on, and the various courses failure can take. How about a little 'this is how we are going to validate you' like BA's flying training - start off like you mean to carry on, POSITIVE. But this is NATS.......
