Ok.
If I'm not going to get flamed here again, I would like to hazard these points.
First, I removed my post because it seemed to be offending people. If it did, I apologise sincerely.
Second, I admit it was the wrong comment to quote for the same reason. Although I changed the word 'bastards' to 'so & so's' because I felt it was in poor taste, I should have taken more time deciding what to say before I hit 'Submit'. As it was, I accept that it might not have been taken in the humour that was intended. It was also the wrong quote to make my point, and that is my fault alone.
However I do stand by what I meant, even if it was badly put across - that the instructors DO change between the formative and summative phases. This is a ***Good Thing*** (are we clear on that?). The instructors apply the standards rigidly at the summatives and put aside all the banter and friendliness during the exercises (in fact, normally they say nothing), although they revert to friendly mentor mode afterwards. And when it comes to marking, again, the standards are rigidly applied. I don't think anyone could reasonably suggest that they should do otherwise, so I was miffed to see that I was accused of suggesting just that! See comments above about young, impressionable SATC's and the effects of perceived threats to their careers
. I perhaps made my point badly, but I still don't think the response was justified. But enough of that, eh? Please accept the above with the sincerity intended.
Aaaanyway, back to the topic (gosh, there was a topic??)...
I can only speak for myself, although I'm sure my colleagues would agree, that in terms of our attitude to OJT, we are massively looking forward to it and have every intention of giving a good account of ourselves. I don't think anyone thinks of it as a holiday, as was suggested.
As far as a/c knowledge goes, I would say ours is pretty reasonable as everyone had to put in great effort to achieve the standards required in the verbal examinations, and consequently the general interest in aviation is high. Whether NATS should be recruiting 'spotters' or not is a question I'll leave to the philosophers.
However I would humbly suggest that aircraft knowledge can be learned, whilst aptitude is a different kettle of fish. I came to this job with a little bit of aviation knowledge (call me a spotter and I'll clean your clock, matey!
) but the fact is that many of my colleagues, who perhaps knew little about aviation before joining, will be better controllers than I ever will.
Is aptitude not the defining quality recruiters should be looking for, albeit with a willingness to learn about airyplanes?
[This message has been edited by Dog On Wheels (edited 05 September 2000).]