NATS interview process
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The best way to describe it would be to liken it to a delicatessen.
You go up to the counter (pass stage three), and pick the next ticket (allocated a number based on your date of interview). Now, the deli has thirty cuts of meat (places on the next course). Ten slices of world class jamón ibérico, and twenty slices of own-brand luncheon meat.
Number one gets asked for his/her preference. Number two for his/hers, etc etc. Once all the jamón ibérico has gone, then the rest of the thirty get the luncheon meat, no choice for them I'm afraid.
They all go off to Bournemouth to eat their lunch, the ones who chose jamón ibérico obviously having a far better time.
You go up to the counter (pass stage three), and pick the next ticket (allocated a number based on your date of interview). Now, the deli has thirty cuts of meat (places on the next course). Ten slices of world class jamón ibérico, and twenty slices of own-brand luncheon meat.
Number one gets asked for his/her preference. Number two for his/hers, etc etc. Once all the jamón ibérico has gone, then the rest of the thirty get the luncheon meat, no choice for them I'm afraid.
They all go off to Bournemouth to eat their lunch, the ones who chose jamón ibérico obviously having a far better time.
Just wondering if I wait for the next serving, will I be at the front of the queue?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Well, there are different kinds of jamón ibérico... with jamón de bellota probably being the best. But we would probably find that what feels like jamón de bellota for some might feel like luncheon meat for others and viceversa... luckily for everybody .
I did not expect that, angry_muppet?!?
.I did not expect that, angry_muppet?!?
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Hi all again, another quick question, on my appliaction it asked for my height and gave two paremeters I was outside the top one. What does this mean for lanky geezers like me?
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Originally Posted by Madhouserjd
Hi all again, another quick question, on my appliaction it asked for my height and gave two paremeters I was outside the top one. What does this mean for lanky geezers like me?
Might not be good news....
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Madhouserjd
Unfortunately, the controller workstations currently installed in many NATS centres are not height adjustable.This means that the only adjustment available to users is to the seats and the footrests. The Display Screen Regulations cannot therefore be satisfied for very tall and very short controllers. NATS was taken to an employment tribunal in 2005 by a 6ft 10in trainee controller candidate, but he lost his case.
See: BBC NEWS | England | Too-tall graduate loses tribunal
The new workstations should be more adjustable but may not be universally deployed until 2018.
The candidate concerned was, however, accepted for training by Eurocontrol at their college in Luxembourg - the workstations at Maastricht are height adjustable.
What does this mean for lanky geezers like me?
See: BBC NEWS | England | Too-tall graduate loses tribunal
The new workstations should be more adjustable but may not be universally deployed until 2018.
The candidate concerned was, however, accepted for training by Eurocontrol at their college in Luxembourg - the workstations at Maastricht are height adjustable.
Last edited by PeltonLevel; 22nd Jan 2009 at 21:38.
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so hang on. Im not going to be allowed to become an ATCO because im 6ft2? I dont give a 
what hieght my screen is!!
I've managed to survive through several desk jobs without anything drastic happening, why are NATS so careful about this? And WHY would they accept my application KNOWING that im to tall just to tell me at the end, sorry old chap, youve made it through selection plus your medical and your ready to go to College....BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT you cant because your legs are to long.
thats complete Bcks
Rant over.
Is there any point in me even applying!?
what hieght my screen is!! I've managed to survive through several desk jobs without anything drastic happening, why are NATS so careful about this? And WHY would they accept my application KNOWING that im to tall just to tell me at the end, sorry old chap, youve made it through selection plus your medical and your ready to go to College....BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT you cant because your legs are to long.
thats complete B
cksRant over.
Is there any point in me even applying!?
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Madhouserjd
Check the last page of the NATS medical requirements. It might be worth your while getting in touch with HR to see if they can put you in touch with NATS medical.
Check the last page of the NATS medical requirements. It might be worth your while getting in touch with HR to see if they can put you in touch with NATS medical.
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I got an email yesterday confirming start date of May 5th on the "area" course and apparantly my contract is in the post.I havent even done my medical yetIf this is standard practise then looks like you get plenty of notice of start dates and the course you're on
Sounds fair! Looking at both areas, is there a difference between things like average work load and opportunities for career advancement/promotion? Sorry about all the questions.
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DAVECRAWFORD1234 - When and where did you do your stage 3 ? Am just waiting for my stage 3 results and I am getting impatient even though it hasn't been long! (They got back to me with S2 results in a day!)
Last edited by PDF; 23rd Jan 2009 at 14:16. Reason: Typo
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The impression I get is that the area controllers think area is better and the aerodrome controllers dont!
The reason I chose area is that I live very close to Prestwick and I know the Swanwick area really well. If I went for aerodrome I could end up in one of many places, possibly somewhere I might not like and more importantly somewhere my wife & kids might not like.
I think your choice of course comes down to what works out best for you
The reason I chose area is that I live very close to Prestwick and I know the Swanwick area really well. If I went for aerodrome I could end up in one of many places, possibly somewhere I might not like and more importantly somewhere my wife & kids might not like.
I think your choice of course comes down to what works out best for you
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PDF - I was lucky with my stage 3. I found out within a week, however some people that had their interview on the same day had to wait more than 2 weeks. But dont worry they got through also so the delay isn't a bad thing!
Someone else on my course called HR 3 days after the interview about expenses and they told him over the phone... could be worth a shot.
Someone else on my course called HR 3 days after the interview about expenses and they told him over the phone... could be worth a shot.
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Originally Posted by student88
Looking at both areas, is there a difference between things like average work load and opportunities for career advancement/promotion?
Another thing to consider is that if you ever get the hump with NATS further down the line as an aerodrome controller there are other places in the UK to work, including HIAL and privately owned airfields. As an Area bod if you want to leave the company you are snookered for other places to work unless you go abroad.