Do you love your job?
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Asgard
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Standard noise
I knew someone who used to wind his neighbours up by either ostentatiously loading a set of golf clubs into the car before setting off for work, or shouting "if anyone wants me, I`ll be at my club" to his wife.
I knew someone who used to wind his neighbours up by either ostentatiously loading a set of golf clubs into the car before setting off for work, or shouting "if anyone wants me, I`ll be at my club" to his wife.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
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Slightly OT, sorry.. There was a magic story in the GATCO Bulletin about 40 years ago.. At some small US airport one of the ATCOs got the enquiry desk to make a public announcement along the lines: "Will Mr Brown please take a call from Raquel Welch on line 1". So ATCO-man strides into the departure lounge which was full of people, grabs a phone and in a stage whisper says: "Raquel, baby, I told you not to call me at work". With everybody staring at him he calmly put the phone down and went through the adjacent door marked "Air Traffic Control".
ATCOs really are screaming mad!
ATCOs really are screaming mad!
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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Do the degree, dude.
Back in my country it is an unwritten rule, that you should have at least a bachelor's degree to be accepted to ATC training. The reason being, apart from the washout rate, that you have to make your living somehow if it turns out that ATC is simply not for you. And since the training is quite lenghty, you wouldn't like to see 2 years of your life (that would be 10% of your life after completing the training!) wasted, would you? The thing worth knowing is that despite all the examinations and aptitude test, it just so happens that sometimes after the whole training people sit in front of the radar only by themselves for the first time and... freeze. I heard about people who experienced it and immediately went on for other jobs.
I'm in the same situation as you are: except, that I'm already in my penultimate year of BA Finance, Accounting and Management
I'm in the same situation as you are: except, that I'm already in my penultimate year of BA Finance, Accounting and Management
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Up a bit, up a bit more
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In response to the comments on getting time off; is it not possible to swap shifts with colleagues at a short notice, a week for example? Also when it comes to requesting time off is it first come first serve for certain dates? Excuse my ignorance but as an outsider im just interested how the system works
Time merchant
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Belgium
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It's a great career that does not have to begin and end in ATC. Other possibilities open up along the way. If you had a law degree as well that would open up even more opportunities, and you WILL have time to get the law degree when you are a qualified ATCO. Spare time is one of the perks
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I would say an interest in aviation is desirable but not essential. More importantly you should be able to get on with people and work as part of a team. It can be boring at times (like any job) but also very satisfying.
Good luck with whatever career you choose.
flowman
.I would say an interest in aviation is desirable but not essential. More importantly you should be able to get on with people and work as part of a team. It can be boring at times (like any job) but also very satisfying.
Good luck with whatever career you choose.
flowman
Join Date: Oct 2000
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russ77.. .Assuming it's same as when I was working.... Leave is generally available on a first come first serve basis except during the summer when there are restrictions so nobody takes long hols at the expense of others. If the watch is working Christmas/New Year/Easter there is usually a draw for leave. Swaps are possible provided they comply with the fairly complex system which ensures ATCOs get adequate time off between shifts.
Most people are very accommodating. On three occasions I had six weeks off over Christmas/New Year to go abroad and took no leave during summer, which was to the benefit of my colleagues..
Most people are very accommodating. On three occasions I had six weeks off over Christmas/New Year to go abroad and took no leave during summer, which was to the benefit of my colleagues..
