Why are NATS so vague on their eyesight requirements during the application process?

[PPRuNeUser0162]

As per the title, I have recently applied to NATS for their ATCO course, only to get a rejection today because of my eyesight.
Now I did do as much research as I could and the NATS recruitment website itself only states that you're required to pass a class 1 medical once you are accepted, which I can.
I also searched the font of all knowledge (and that is said with all seriousness) which is Pprune and couldn't find anything specifying other than a class 1.
Now I have -4.25/-4.5 which I know is not great, but it's within class 1 medical limits, but following my e-mail I called H.R. and I have only now learnt that NATS have a policy of +/-3.5
So, all I would like to know is, why is this not mentioned (as H.R. didn't give me any information whatsoever on the phone) and why is this so strict?
Many thanks
Britboy

[prowler]

sorry for u mate......

at LEAST u got a reply, or an acknowledgement if its yes or no or wateva reason as an excuse they found to reject u...:suspect:

I didnt even get any acknowledgement, reply or any excuse....

And this is with my 12 year ATC Experience with 3 Valid Ratings!!

Life's a bitch @ times...

But its not that Im losin any sleep over it.... .Of Course 4u, it is abit different!!:sad:

[pumuckl]

Although you are within the JAA Class 1 Medical limits, you are NOT within the UK Class 1 Medical limits for an initial application. I know, it doesn't make sense, but as an ATCO you need the UK Class 1 Medical (not the JAA Class 1) and as such it is not a NATS requirement, but a CAA one.

The UK Class 1 Medical eyesight limit for an intial application is -3 (it is -5 for a JAA Class 1). Whereas the renewal limit is -5 for a UK Class 1, it is -8 for a JAA Class 1. The doctors will allow a little bit of leeway (hence the NATS policy of -3.5) if your eyesight is stable given your age. When I got my initial UK Class 1 my eyesight was -3.25 and I got it.

Apparently there are plans to bring the UK Class 1 in line with the JAA Class 1; they have been talking about this for a while now. I had this discussion with the CAA Medical branch a while back. See this post:

ATCO Medical (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=124642)

As far as I am aware, it hasn't changed yet. Give the medical branch in Gatwick a call - they'll be able to clarify.

Cheers
p. :8

[PPRuNeUser0162]

Thanks for the clarification pumuckl. I really thought I have an excellent shot at getting on the course and that's what's annoying. I wouldn't have given it a second thought if I knew straight off that the eyesight regs stated +/- 3.5, but I didn't and so I applied.