NATS to provide at Lulsgate
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Seriously though Standard ...you always see the "bad" side of Nats ...did they offer ANYTHING to you guys at Bristol to change your mind? ...or will you be saddling up and moving elsewhere?
StandupfortheUlstermen
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eastern,
believe it or not, I don't think joining Nats is such a bad thing, but if that had been my only plan in the first place, I'd have latched on to you guys more when I was at the City. You'll just have to excuse my cynicism when I say that having been royally screwed by a half-witted and short sighted Nats management back in 1995 (albeit, one of many who were in the same boat), I'm not entirely convinced that this time they'll at least ask for a kiss first if they're planning to **** me again
But here's the thing, Bristol is the first unit/employer that I've worked for that I enjoy working for. They actually seem to care about their staff, rather than seeing Air Traffic as just a huge expense and legal encumbrance. Your ideas and input are asked for and appreciated, not stolen and used by a greasy pole climber. By and large we as a section are left to get on with it as the airport management realise that the ATCO's know more about Air Traffic than the management do. I'm afraid I can't apply all of that to all of my former employers. The unit is fairly well run, and unlike my past units, everyone pretty much gets on with everyone else.
Do I see the benefits of Nats, yes I do, but I also see downside which I can't go into here and now. Long term, as I said, it's not a bad idea but only if the status quo is retained, however circumstances can change and it could in 10 years time, prove to be a bad move. I wouldn't exactly say they said anything to change my mind because I know the organisation more than some at Bristol, but I just can't forgive Nats 100% for the treatment they meted out to me at a very low point in my personal life. Still, I picked myself up and over the last 9 years I've worked hard to get into the position where I am working at what I see as one of the top two best and busiest non-Nats units in the UK. At least in 2005, I would be joining as a valid ATCO rather than the latest in a long line of cannon fodder.
One or two of the others who have only ever worked here have asked if I think it is a good move and I have answered honestly.
As for me moving elsewhere, no, I'm going to stand and fight this time. Besides, Mrs Noise has told me that if I want to move again, it'll be via the divorce court. She's very happy here and jnr is at a fairly good school (I mean it's not on a par with Bangor Grammar but it's good as english comps go). Anyway, I like it here. Every town in England should have a resident Ulsterman to soak up the black stuff and terrorise the locals with his erratic driving. It didn't take me long to scare one of my workmates half to death on a liason visit. He didn't realise a Beemer could reach those speeds on Somerset's twisty roads!
Legs 11 - wash your mouth out with carbolic, you evil fool. what a horrid suggestion!
believe it or not, I don't think joining Nats is such a bad thing, but if that had been my only plan in the first place, I'd have latched on to you guys more when I was at the City. You'll just have to excuse my cynicism when I say that having been royally screwed by a half-witted and short sighted Nats management back in 1995 (albeit, one of many who were in the same boat), I'm not entirely convinced that this time they'll at least ask for a kiss first if they're planning to **** me again
But here's the thing, Bristol is the first unit/employer that I've worked for that I enjoy working for. They actually seem to care about their staff, rather than seeing Air Traffic as just a huge expense and legal encumbrance. Your ideas and input are asked for and appreciated, not stolen and used by a greasy pole climber. By and large we as a section are left to get on with it as the airport management realise that the ATCO's know more about Air Traffic than the management do. I'm afraid I can't apply all of that to all of my former employers. The unit is fairly well run, and unlike my past units, everyone pretty much gets on with everyone else.
Do I see the benefits of Nats, yes I do, but I also see downside which I can't go into here and now. Long term, as I said, it's not a bad idea but only if the status quo is retained, however circumstances can change and it could in 10 years time, prove to be a bad move. I wouldn't exactly say they said anything to change my mind because I know the organisation more than some at Bristol, but I just can't forgive Nats 100% for the treatment they meted out to me at a very low point in my personal life. Still, I picked myself up and over the last 9 years I've worked hard to get into the position where I am working at what I see as one of the top two best and busiest non-Nats units in the UK. At least in 2005, I would be joining as a valid ATCO rather than the latest in a long line of cannon fodder.
One or two of the others who have only ever worked here have asked if I think it is a good move and I have answered honestly.
As for me moving elsewhere, no, I'm going to stand and fight this time. Besides, Mrs Noise has told me that if I want to move again, it'll be via the divorce court. She's very happy here and jnr is at a fairly good school (I mean it's not on a par with Bangor Grammar but it's good as english comps go). Anyway, I like it here. Every town in England should have a resident Ulsterman to soak up the black stuff and terrorise the locals with his erratic driving. It didn't take me long to scare one of my workmates half to death on a liason visit. He didn't realise a Beemer could reach those speeds on Somerset's twisty roads!
Legs 11 - wash your mouth out with carbolic, you evil fool. what a horrid suggestion!
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Eh Standard?
" ideas and input are asked for and appreciated, " that brings back memories, though as you know from first hand experience not very recent ones.
So is it a done deal then??
" ideas and input are asked for and appreciated, " that brings back memories, though as you know from first hand experience not very recent ones.
So is it a done deal then??
StandupfortheUlstermen
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T R - Gypsy Queen seems to be as well informed as I am. No doubt I will be the last to know since I'm not back in until Wed morning.
Are they still not listening to you TR? Why not come over here and be listened to instead. You too could be in the warm and cosy Nats bosom before long. Talking of which, how is the honourable member for Muckamore these days?
Are they still not listening to you TR? Why not come over here and be listened to instead. You too could be in the warm and cosy Nats bosom before long. Talking of which, how is the honourable member for Muckamore these days?
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I think you'll find, the major stumbling block at the moment is pensions. Not so much for joining the NATS one though, more for what they'll get on leaving a very good Bristol Airport one. Plus with 40 odd people leaving what is after all a small pension scheme, how will that scheme manage to support itself in the future - there's more than justATC to be considered there
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Is the contract all sorted out now chaps? Rumour around the River Hamble is that your new boss is temporarily housed here until July when(s)he starts at EGGD. Our loss etc etc etc.
A I
A I
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A1
No vacancy notice then? Nod Nod Wink Wink!
When the music stops you can have....er....."Bristol".
Blast.....running out of seats.......write a memo....must take over more airports.
When the music stops you can have....er....."Bristol".
Blast.....running out of seats.......write a memo....must take over more airports.
StandupfortheUlstermen
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And there was me thinking that Cardiff's new lord and master was going to spread his wings and make Brizzy his main base of operations!
We hear the lawyers are poring through the contract at the moment. Ah well, nice idea while it lasted.
We hear the lawyers are poring through the contract at the moment. Ah well, nice idea while it lasted.
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Us come over to Bristol , Nah we have just bought this enormous new fridge so we can accommodate all the food for when all the Staff from Bristol move over to us at Cardiff 
This contract thing is going on and on, apparently a new legal team started with NATS and view and deal with contracts very differently from how they were done in the past, about time it was sorted one way or the other though.
This contract thing is going on and on, apparently a new legal team started with NATS and view and deal with contracts very differently from how they were done in the past, about time it was sorted one way or the other though.
StandupfortheUlstermen
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Maybe I should have said 'the lawyers are boring (us) over the contract. At this rate I'll be retired before I rejoin the fold.
flower - I can eat for Ireland, make sure it\'s a BIG fridge! Oh, and move it eastwards a bit...............about 20 miles eastwards.
flower - I can eat for Ireland, make sure it\'s a BIG fridge!
Oh, and move it eastwards a bit...............about 20 miles eastwards.
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Politics ahoy
Don't worry Cardiff buddies, do you think the Welsh Assembly will permit the control of traffic in Welsh airspace, and particularly in and out of Wales' premier airport, to be controlled from over the water?
I'd get the e-mail off double quick!!! [just in case they don't know]
Some-one mentioned a new legal team....check out the relevant CV's......a long history of....well.....involvement with the rail industry.....more rail buddies to the rescue.....were we that bad before?
Where are Owain Glyn Dwr and Twm Sion Cati when you need them?
I'd get the e-mail off double quick!!! [just in case they don't know]
Some-one mentioned a new legal team....check out the relevant CV's......a long history of....well.....involvement with the rail industry.....more rail buddies to the rescue.....were we that bad before?
Where are Owain Glyn Dwr and Twm Sion Cati when you need them?
StandupfortheUlstermen
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Now that's just a silly question, isn't it?
NEXT!
And before you ask, the delay has been mainly down to the fact that the NATS solicitor was sick, apparently. I mean, how big is that bloody organisation and they only have one bloody solicitor!?
Something tells me we're about to be sucked into a farcical world.
Re-arrange these words............piss, brewery, organise, up etc etc
NEXT!
And before you ask, the delay has been mainly down to the fact that the NATS solicitor was sick, apparently. I mean, how big is that bloody organisation and they only have one bloody solicitor!?
Something tells me we're about to be sucked into a farcical world.
Re-arrange these words............piss, brewery, organise, up etc etc
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Re-arrange these words............piss, brewery, organise, up etc etc
An interesting thread. As a NATS Area atco, yes you may get the feeling that NATS controllers think you couldn't hack it because you are non NATS blah blah blah. But to be honest, we only have to see what goes on at East Mids, Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds to know that it's not the case ( I am sure the same can be said of Bristol). We have a good relationship with the non NATS airports we deal with ( I hope ), and I guess you are always going to get some pillock who thinks that he/she is superior because they are NATS. I can assure you though that the majority of us do not think that - or is it just me?