Oldest ATCO in town

[man friday]

Quick question....
Have a previously valid ATCO entering the UTP at 68.
How many valued,experienced controllers are out there?
#ageaintnothingbutanumber

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I don't know what UTP means but Freddie Frost at Lasham is way older than 68 I believe.

[whitelighter]

Unit
Training
Plan

[ex82watcher]

Thanks,I wondered what UTP meant as well..........but didn't like to ask.

[chevvron]

I don't know what UTP means but Freddie Frost at Lasham is way older than 68 I believe.

And still valid on radar too.
I'm still FISOing and I'm positive I could still pass LCEs on radar and tower at Farnborough if given the chance; I partially regret going when I did but HR wouldn't offer me acceptable terms otherwise I would have stayed on provided I could pass the medical. I have no trouble passing the FISO medical.

[ex82watcher]

The name Freddie Frost seems to ring a distant bell,was he a former SATCO/CAA Chief Officer at Eastern Radar (civil) ?

[Talkdownman]

The name Freddie Frost seems to ring a distant bell,was he a former SATCO/CAA Chief Officer at Eastern Radar (civil) ?I recall that they were known at the JATCRUs as the 'Senior Civil ATCO'. And, yes, that is he.

[ex82watcher]

Ah,so my mind hasn't completely gone!Hugh Lawson was boss when I arrived,but I do remember (vaguely),FF being spoken of.

[Nimmer]

And still valid on radar too.
I'm still FISOing and I'm positive I could still pass LCEs on radar and tower at Farnborough if given the chance; I partially regret going when I did but HR wouldn't offer me acceptable terms otherwise I would have stayed on provided I could pass the medical. I have no trouble passing the FISO medical.
Admire your confidence Chevron, but you couldn't.

[Bright-Ling]

I am sure that the Chevvron person could get through a Renewal as long as he realised that LCE/UCE and Examiners have been renamed Assessors..... and get their head around EU340isms

[Nimmer]

I have no idea who chevvron is but Nimmer's post has the whiff of the LATCC/Swawick "in crowd" about it ; whispers and back stabbing in quiet corners.
Post was in jest, however a bit of realisation that things have got busier since Chevron left, and cognitive skills will have slowed.

15 years since I left Gatwick Tower (validated), wouldn't fancy giving it a go now and I am valid on radar!!!

Things change.

[obwan]

Coming from oop north I don't have a sense of humour so grovelling apology to Mr Nimmer

[chevvron]

I am sure that the Chevvron person could get through a Renewal as long as he realised that LCE/UCE and Examiners have been renamed Assessors..... and get their head around EU340isms

Thank you for your confidence in me. I remember asking a certain female controller if she would consider becoming an assessor; her reply was 'how much extra money do I get?'
I listen to Farnborough frequencies regularly when FISOing as their traffic affects our traffic so I know how busy they sometimes are.
I think the only problem I might have would be in the tower, remembering to switch those stop bars for all departures even when not in LVPs (no GMC except for the airshow for those who don't know the setup at Farnborough)

[ZOOKER]

Just been having a shufty through EU340.

Fascinating stuff, but how will 'Brexit' affect it?

[Gonzo]

Fair enough question I'd imagine; an assessor has a greater responsibility, accountability and workload than an OJTI, so it should be remunerated appropriately.

Zooker, short answer; it won't.

[GAPSTER]

Tell me more about the "LATCC/Swanwick in crowd"

[whitelighter]

Thank you for your confidence in me. I remember asking a certain female controller if she would consider becoming an assessor; her reply was 'how much extra money do I get?'


That's because it's a J O B.
Yes, there is professional pride but also there is the relationship between employee and employer and the value of the profession.

Perhaps the question was a bit blunt, but asking for extra remuneration for extra responsibility is 100% reasonable

[Catwalk Dweller]

Amen, whitelighter - you're quite right!

[airac]

Not the oldest but joined ATC as an ATCA 3 (Board of trade then) January 12th 1970 . Controller since 1986 ,my last working shift will be Sat 25th November 47yrs 317 days.
Not a bad run :-)

[Talkdownman]

Well done! Not willy-waving (you might be female..) but I've done 51 years in ATC, still counting, and clutching a brand new medical. But a long way behind my old boss who, at 84, has done over 60 years and still has an Approach Radar rating.

[airac]

Unfortunately lost my medical due to the Bruce protocol in Feb this year . so not done a proper job since then ,still the money is the same though :ok:. your old boss wouldn't be Mr F would it?

[Talkdownman]

Affirm....

[chevvron]

Not the oldest but joined ATC as an ATCA 3 (Board of trade then) January 12th 1970 . Controller since 1986 ,my last working shift will be Sat 25th November 47yrs 317 days.
Not a bad run :-)

ATCA 3 wef Mar '69, then ATCO cadet Sep '71 becoming ATCO Sep '74; retired as ATCO Nov 2008 so (roughly) 49 1/2 years in NATS, then 9 years FISO to date.

[Talkdownman]

ATCA 3 wef Mar '69.....retired as ATCO Nov 2008 so 49 1/2 years in NATS
Check maths...

[chevvron]

Check maths...

Picky; 49 2/3 then.

[Brian 48nav]

Oh dear, Chev! Try 48 and a half!

Total of course! Same as my No1 son's age!