Recession proof?

[littlehobo75]

I am due to start training in Jan 09 (all being well), this is a fairly large career change at a relatively late stage of life. I am getting a little nervous by the likely impending recession and the current trend for airlines to go belly up.

In the opinion of the more experienced here, is the job recession proof, or is there any danger of job cuts if routes get cut?

Any opinions appreciated!

[Caesartheboogeyman]

I would imagine that if the company was in that much trouble that they were looking at job cuts that CTC would feel the chop first. If it ever got as far as controllers, i t would surely make sense to get rid of the people who have done the job the longest. two people doing the same job, one top of the scale, one a third of the way up. who goes?..........you decide.

[Spamcan defender]

i t would surely make sense to get rid of the people who have done the job the longest. two people doing the same job, one top of the scale, one a third of the way up. who goes?..........you decide.

But wouldnt the higher redundancy payments for the top scale folks negate the the saving?? People just in the door would be WAY cheaper to axe. At least it worked that way when there was redundancies at my last employer.

Spamcan

[Yellow Sun]

These days most employers would look first at achieving their aim by voluntary means. Much more straightforward with less likelihood of becoming embroiled in prolonged negotiations or industrial tribunals etc. Voluntary redundancy, early retirement, enhanced career breaks, unpaid leave are tools that are available before resorting to compulsion. When it comes to compulsory redundancy much depends on the industrial agreement between the employer and their employees, i.e. what the union and the company have thrashed out as the terms and conditions of service. In the majority of cases this will be based on Last In First Out (LIFO) although anti-age discrimination policy may now cast doubt on the absolute legality of this, hence the attraction of voluntary measures.

YS

[Spitoon]

On the original question, if you will be training as a controller with NATS then I think your job will be as safe as it's possible to be these days. There's already a shortage of controllers, there are always retirements (whether people refer to it as a bulge or anything else) and despite plans to automate the system and do away with the humans I doubt that we'll see a significant reduction in the number of qualified controllers in the span of your career.

The loss of some airlines or routes simply opens opportunities for other operators!

If it's a job you really want to do, throw yourself into the training and get qualified.

[littlehobo75]

Thanks for the reply!

[andi0277]

atc entrance opportunities after turning 30?

Wow, didnt know that the way to air traffic control is still open after turning 30. In Germany i thought the DSF doesnt even take people who are older than 25 for training.
Good luck and all the best for you on the new career path

Maybe I will consider to follow that path, too. May I ask how you came to apply for atc in that - as you said - relatively late stage?
Anybody knows if it would possible for a German who is in the beginning of his 30ies, too?

Cheers and have a great day alltogether

[littlehobo75]

You can start in the UK up to 36. Partly due to age discrimination legislation. Also apparently also due to research into cognitive decline, which is the max age at which you are able to quickly assimilate new information. Apparently those in the 20's are good at this, those in their 30's are not so good but make up for it with life experience. I don't know what happens after that, slow decline into insanity I think!