O/T I know but the question was asked
Zooker,
my wife runs a property search company (not in Manchester and no connection with NATS). For (usually well-off) individuals wanting to buy in her area she interviews them to find what they are looking for, searches properties, does inspections, checks schools, pubs, stables, or whatever you are interested in, and presents report before most individuals would have got around to touring the area.
She also knows of properties coming on the market before any details are published. Middle-men can be useful. Depends what you want
Do you need to be pilot or even flown to be ATCO? Let alone flown the particular route. Arguably ATC is a middleman trade as well
p.s. has a date been fixed for the vote yet?