The ATCA option

[pilotho]

Well, just heard bad news from NATS, I am sure I am not the only one. So I was just wondering if anyone else took the ATCA route and trained to be an ATCO that way.

I have rung up numerous airports but none have vacancies. Anybody with comments or advice? I would really want to do something throughout this year to make myself more suitable in the future.

Thanks.

[smellysnelly2004]

After I failed the first time I took any job I could get at BRS. Worked there for 6 months which really helped. Especially when it came to arranging visits to the tower.

[agent007]

Don't give up there are plenty of ways that people have become ATCO's eventually. Think about improving your CV there's a number of ways to do it. PPL if you can afford it, A/G licence might all be a help.
good luck anyway keep trying
007

[Vic154]

Hey Pilotho,

Bad luck, I know your pain.

I just saw on another thread that your took your personality test today and then they told you the results a matter of hours later?! That was quick!

Do you think you were honest with your answers? Or gave them what they wanted to hear?

Good luck for the future,

Vic

[pilotho]

Hi Vic, they were extremely fast, surprised me also! To me, the test was quite confusing. The repeated comment of "I get tense before a formal meeting", I admit that I do get tense but not to the fact that I can't do anything. So the first time that answer came up, I picked it. However, that comment came up repeatedly. Now the test says that there is a check to see if i was lying or not. I thought therefore, that I had to select that everytime it came up. For me, I was being honest but I think the test does not allow me to show my full personality and thus not who I really am. I am totally gutted when I saw it but I thought there's no point dwelling on it, so I got on AIS and started ringing. Unfortunatly, no where seems to have a vacancy.
I also checked that I don't ring any NATS units, so I rung Bristol which was a bad mistake I think, as it put me through to the tower who seemed to be quite busy. (I always thought BRS was non-NATS.

What are your plans now Vic?

Agend 007 You mentioned about improving my CV but isn't that a little irrelavent? I definetly wouldn't mind carrying out an A/G position but at the same time I would need an income so I am not sure if that is a viable option, what do you think?
smellysnelly2004 What job did you get at BRS? I am thinking of applying to Servisair as a dispatcher but since it's a permanent contract I am not too sure.

[smellysnelly2004]

Pilotho,

BRS was non-NATS but now is. If you're gonna call then I'd imagine best time is after 2200 when it should be quieter. I just worked on the switchboard answering calls but at least I was around the aviation world. It was for an agency which solved the permanancy problem.
One last piece of advice, I wouldn't sound off too much about recruitment process etc. as many interviewers/instructors/HR people lurk here on Pprune and it might bite you on the derriere one day.

[pilotho]

So did you get an ATCO position in the end?

[smellysnelly2004]

Yep - passed 2nd time round and just about to start summatives on 211 basic

[pilotho]

Thats good to know.

What do you think made you successful the 2nd time round? Did you answer the personality questions differently? Or do you think you actually changed as a person with the year in the job?

[smellysnelly2004]

Pilotho,

DO you want to PM me and I'll answer any questions you have?

[Vic154]

Hey pilotho,

I have a few friends working at NATS so i'm hoping to get some kind of admin there just as a foot in the door.
I wouldn't worry too much yourself, you're only 20, I wish instead of uni I just applied straight to NATS when I was your age, don't know why I've left it this long, as I'm sure the older you are limits your chances.

355 days before I can apply again.