Medical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Medical
Yesterday was supposed to be my medical at Swanwick - 125 miles away from where I live. I left 3 hours before my medical... and the traffic on the A3 was a total disaster. A lorry had broken down on the small stretch that goes to single carriage way.. So in about 1 hour I covered a good 2 miles.
I phoned ahead, to let them know, however it was a Friday afternoon... and they were prepared to wait for a little while.. So once the traffic had cleared a little better, I didn't know my Kia Picanto 999cc could travel at the speeds it did... 5th gear was no good, I was "red lining" it in 4th... However The deadline I was given came and past, so after getting within 3 miles of the centre, I was told I would have to rebook (The doctor did speak to me personally and said he was sorry he couldn't wait any longer, and that my ECG + blood pressure would probably not be helped from the stressful drive)... so I did the only thing possible after travelling for 4hrs straight.. had a quick pint and some food..
Then I embarked on the journey back, which was just about as good. The lorry was still there, hours later, only just being recovered as I passed it! On the other-side of the road people had got out of their cars and were standing around in the middle of the dual carriageway chatting to each other!!! So I stopped off at a friends a few miles up the road, and stayed overnight...
What a DISASTER!! So I now have to take yet another day off work, to travel 125 miles x2 to go for the medical! - And Nats are offering to pay 0.9p per mile... and no expenses below £20, so until I drive 2,222 miles I can't claim for the petrol!
Ho hum!
James.
I phoned ahead, to let them know, however it was a Friday afternoon... and they were prepared to wait for a little while.. So once the traffic had cleared a little better, I didn't know my Kia Picanto 999cc could travel at the speeds it did... 5th gear was no good, I was "red lining" it in 4th... However The deadline I was given came and past, so after getting within 3 miles of the centre, I was told I would have to rebook (The doctor did speak to me personally and said he was sorry he couldn't wait any longer, and that my ECG + blood pressure would probably not be helped from the stressful drive)... so I did the only thing possible after travelling for 4hrs straight.. had a quick pint and some food..
Then I embarked on the journey back, which was just about as good. The lorry was still there, hours later, only just being recovered as I passed it! On the other-side of the road people had got out of their cars and were standing around in the middle of the dual carriageway chatting to each other!!! So I stopped off at a friends a few miles up the road, and stayed overnight...
What a DISASTER!! So I now have to take yet another day off work, to travel 125 miles x2 to go for the medical! - And Nats are offering to pay 0.9p per mile... and no expenses below £20, so until I drive 2,222 miles I can't claim for the petrol!
Ho hum!
James.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 45
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep, 9p a mile.
And of course, being a prospective ATCO, you checked the traffic before you began your return journey, and found an alternative route to circumvent it, displaying the lateral thinking and flexibility that got you through the selection process.
And of course, being a prospective ATCO, you checked the traffic before you began your return journey, and found an alternative route to circumvent it, displaying the lateral thinking and flexibility that got you through the selection process.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now you know how we pilots feel returning to good ole LHR every trip! Make an appointment of a social nature, then find out the traffic is heavy, we end up being late and missing the one social engagement we have in the week. Furthermore, we then get 'force-drafted' by our management to come back into work the next day, and couldn't have imbibed anyway.
OPn second thoughts, maybe the way to avoid the 'force-drafting' is to book your medical for your return ... be late and miss it .... therefore not able to be forced to work the next day
OPn second thoughts, maybe the way to avoid the 'force-drafting' is to book your medical for your return ... be late and miss it .... therefore not able to be forced to work the next day
) have to wait for crew buses!Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gonzo
I guess the new tower will see you needing buses to the facility? Are there any plans to allow us pilots to visit you there?
T5 should see us walking to the gates - at least when the underground transport system works to T5B and T5C is actually built. At last we shall then be able to leave the aircraft after a 16 hour day!
PM me if you prefer....
Cheers
I guess the new tower will see you needing buses to the facility? Are there any plans to allow us pilots to visit you there?
T5 should see us walking to the gates - at least when the underground transport system works to T5B and T5C is actually built. At last we shall then be able to leave the aircraft after a 16 hour day!
PM me if you prefer....
Cheers
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unfortunately I was 130 miles away from home, in a place I had never been before... So I had the choice of Internet cafe, or a quick pint, food and a pee before setting back. Whether you are an ATCO (prospective or not) or a copper like I am ATM, there isn't too much thinking involved!!
Also there is the A3, or the A3... I considered leaving the roadway, however unlike the airways where it is just a bit more air, I would have had to contend with a metal crash barrier, a grass verge and a ditch.. If I had survived all that, I would have had quite a few trees too - Thought it was easier to get held in the holding stack and arrive safely, albeit about 18hrs later!
9p a mile sounds a lot more reasonable!- Suppose it would be a little cheeky to claim for the trip I made, but never made it.. Still I will just make over £20 next time..
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unfortunately I was 130 miles away from home, in a place I had never been before... So I had the choice of Internet cafe, or a quick pint, food and a pee before setting back. Whether you are an ATCO (prospective or not) or a copper like I am ATM, there isn't too much thinking involved!!
Also there is the A3, or the A3... I considered leaving the roadway, however unlike the airways where it is just a bit more air, I would have had to contend with a metal crash barrier, a grass verge and a ditch.. If I had survived all that, I would have had quite a few trees too - Thought it was easier to get held in the holding stack and arrive safely, albeit about 18hrs later!
9p a mile sounds a lot more reasonable!- Suppose it would be a little cheeky to claim for the trip I made, but never made it.. Still I will just make over £20 next time..
Also there is the A3, or the A3... I considered leaving the roadway, however unlike the airways where it is just a bit more air, I would have had to contend with a metal crash barrier, a grass verge and a ditch.. If I had survived all that, I would have had quite a few trees too - Thought it was easier to get held in the holding stack and arrive safely, albeit about 18hrs later!
9p a mile sounds a lot more reasonable!- Suppose it would be a little cheeky to claim for the trip I made, but never made it.. Still I will just make over £20 next time..
A copper you say?
A quick pint?
Then straight back in the car, obviously not traffic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They'd have had two!!
No seriously... Don't Drink and Drive.. It is dangerous.. However I was under the limit. I would have confidently blown into the meter thingy (Electronic Screening Device), at any time 15 minutes after my last sip.
Oh hello Sir, didn't know you read the PPRuNe forum.. suppose you're not going to be so surprised when I hand my notice in then... Oops!
James.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They'd have had two!!
No seriously... Don't Drink and Drive.. It is dangerous.. However I was under the limit. I would have confidently blown into the meter thingy (Electronic Screening Device), at any time 15 minutes after my last sip.
Oh hello Sir, didn't know you read the PPRuNe forum.. suppose you're not going to be so surprised when I hand my notice in then... Oops!
James.
No seriously... Don't Drink and Drive.. It is dangerous.. However I was under the limit. I would have confidently blown into the meter thingy (Electronic Screening Device), at any time 15 minutes after my last sip.
Oh hello Sir, didn't know you read the PPRuNe forum.. suppose you're not going to be so surprised when I hand my notice in then... Oops!
James.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But then each of us only speeds when it is safe to do so... or so we think!
Cheers,
James.
Why didn't you book the medical at Heathrow instead of Swanwick? I booked mine there on 10 Aug - the day of the big security scare, and although there were delays, I arrived about 10 min late, (travelled in from a convenient railway station by coach)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I rebooked yesterday, 29th Sept.
So 125 miles... 3 miles per hour... 42hrs... So I'll leave about 27th sept at 9am, to guarantee I get there this time.
James.
So 125 miles... 3 miles per hour... 42hrs... So I'll leave about 27th sept at 9am, to guarantee I get there this time.
James.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Swanwick, England
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
James, you'll like Swanwick. It's becoming more like the local nick each day.
I've never seen so many guns in one place. At least that's what I think they are or they are pretty big snooker cues.
One of the lady cops is pretty tasty though but she looks well hard!
I've never seen so many guns in one place. At least that's what I think they are or they are pretty big snooker cues.
One of the lady cops is pretty tasty though but she looks well hard!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tut tut.... Can't say I find uniform very attractive... it makes all the women look less attractive, (so much so that your head turns when you see a woman out of uniform whom you saw early in it!) and the liking uniform aspect I claim an exemption!
James.
PS do you get searched everytime you go in and out the building (understand if you decline to answer).. but I imagine you probably do, and if so, isn't it a sad state of affairs the world has come to this...
James.
PS do you get searched everytime you go in and out the building (understand if you decline to answer).. but I imagine you probably do, and if so, isn't it a sad state of affairs the world has come to this...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 41
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I made it on time, for a change.
From a PC point of view, I was very impressed with the security there.
Although I was told the police presence was more to do with there being a decent canteen than anything else... that is understandable, if you ever have the chance to eat in a police canteen, always find some paint stripper to drink instead, it's a lot nicer!
Cheers,
James.
From a PC point of view, I was very impressed with the security there.
Although I was told the police presence was more to do with there being a decent canteen than anything else... that is understandable, if you ever have the chance to eat in a police canteen, always find some paint stripper to drink instead, it's a lot nicer!
Cheers,
James.
