Area vs aerodrome
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: uk
Area pays more, but it's the same thing every day, by no means as much variety as ADC where you see the aircraft and get to appreciate more readily why things go wrong when they do.
Each to their own, there are job specific skills in both trades which are not easily transferable to the other, it's only those who have done both who would be able to appreciate the fine dividing line.
For me, it's ADC every time, area is a dark art practiced by those who are paid a lot but only allowed to emerge from the depths for a short while every month or so - even then they are hung upside down in their wardrobes each night.
Each to their own, there are job specific skills in both trades which are not easily transferable to the other, it's only those who have done both who would be able to appreciate the fine dividing line.
For me, it's ADC every time, area is a dark art practiced by those who are paid a lot but only allowed to emerge from the depths for a short while every month or so - even then they are hung upside down in their wardrobes each night.
Last edited by goatface; 14th July 2009 at 17:04.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: uk
wherever you go it will be boring after a couple of years, same as the rest of us.
It's the best job in the world as far as I'm concerned (although I've never done area), no two days are the same and you never stop learning.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,295
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From: Hants
Goatface:
and
So your statement that Area is the same thing every days comes from what experience?
DIAF
I've done Area, Tower and Approach and each has its merits. Currently in TC and can honestly say that when it kicks off, it is more challenging than any other controlling I have done. The fact is all ATC jobs have quiet and frenetic times, I think anyone with the mindset to be an ATCO would enjoy any discipline.
Would I change unit now? No way, I enjoy it too much.
However would I be gutted if I was moved to a Tower or Approach unit? Again, nope, because they would also be fun.
If, as it sounds, you are just embarking on ATC and it is with NATS, don't sweat about the discipline you will end up with - just concentrate on getting out of the college and valid at a unit, any unit.
Area pays more, but it's the same thing every day, by no means as much variety as ADC where you see the aircraft and get to appreciate more readily why things go wrong when they do. Each to their own, there are job specific skills in both trades which are not easily transferable to the other, it's only those who have done both who would be able to appreciate the fine dividing line.
It's the best job in the world as far as I'm concerned (although I've never done area)
DIAF
I've done Area, Tower and Approach and each has its merits. Currently in TC and can honestly say that when it kicks off, it is more challenging than any other controlling I have done. The fact is all ATC jobs have quiet and frenetic times, I think anyone with the mindset to be an ATCO would enjoy any discipline.
Would I change unit now? No way, I enjoy it too much.
However would I be gutted if I was moved to a Tower or Approach unit? Again, nope, because they would also be fun.
If, as it sounds, you are just embarking on ATC and it is with NATS, don't sweat about the discipline you will end up with - just concentrate on getting out of the college and valid at a unit, any unit.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,266
Likes: 1
From: Berkshire, UK
I went into ATC totally open-minded. I started at an airport where the ATC Unit inclided TWR. APC and Area. Fully-trained ATCOs did all three. I then went to another airfield and did TWR and APC..... another which did TWR, APC and RAD and loved all of them.
Don't worry about the money aspects; the #1 important thing is to be happy in your work..
Good luck.
Don't worry about the money aspects; the #1 important thing is to be happy in your work..
Good luck.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: U.A.E
As an airport controller I would say area...!!! Most of the people I work with prefer to do radar than tower..!!
In the area world in the uk at the moment there is no competition so job security is better..promotion prospects are better..you aren't held to ransom because the contract is up for renewal soon..lots of things..!!
Why o why did they never build the berc (belfast en route centre)?!?!
In the area world in the uk at the moment there is no competition so job security is better..promotion prospects are better..you aren't held to ransom because the contract is up for renewal soon..lots of things..!!
Why o why did they never build the berc (belfast en route centre)?!?!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Dorset
Hi DIAF,
Just going to college myself, but thought I'd give you my thoughts on your post too!
When asked by HR which course I would like to start on, I chose Area. I chose Area mainly because I was under the impression that Aerodrome places were few and far between, but mainly because the likelyhood of ending up at Swanwick seemed far greater, what with the MACC moving to Prestwick etc. Swanwick isn't far from where I live, fit in with family arrangements (I have two children, one of which is at school - didn't want to rock the boat etc) plus offered the greatest job security...obviously subject to validation! However, NATS then threw a spanner in the works...
They called me and transferred me onto Aerodrome.
I was elated! By chance they'd moved me onto the course I'd in my heart wanted all along. I was being careful and thinking of my family's future when choosing Area, but now I found myself on Aerodrome. So yeah, job security has waned a bit (only because of the fact that the Aerdromes are contracted...no competition for Area as stated by another poster), money might well be lower, the potential of having to move has greatly increased but the course is shorter with a higher pass rate and I'd be validated quicker. I have the distinct feeling I will probably enjoy it more because it's what I wanted from the start.
However, the biggest thing is that whilst I was pleased with being moved to Aerodrome I would have been just as pleased as staying on the Area course too because either way I get to control air traffic and that is why I applied for the job in the first place.
Just going to college myself, but thought I'd give you my thoughts on your post too!
When asked by HR which course I would like to start on, I chose Area. I chose Area mainly because I was under the impression that Aerodrome places were few and far between, but mainly because the likelyhood of ending up at Swanwick seemed far greater, what with the MACC moving to Prestwick etc. Swanwick isn't far from where I live, fit in with family arrangements (I have two children, one of which is at school - didn't want to rock the boat etc) plus offered the greatest job security...obviously subject to validation! However, NATS then threw a spanner in the works...
They called me and transferred me onto Aerodrome.
I was elated! By chance they'd moved me onto the course I'd in my heart wanted all along. I was being careful and thinking of my family's future when choosing Area, but now I found myself on Aerodrome. So yeah, job security has waned a bit (only because of the fact that the Aerdromes are contracted...no competition for Area as stated by another poster), money might well be lower, the potential of having to move has greatly increased but the course is shorter with a higher pass rate and I'd be validated quicker. I have the distinct feeling I will probably enjoy it more because it's what I wanted from the start.
However, the biggest thing is that whilst I was pleased with being moved to Aerodrome I would have been just as pleased as staying on the Area course too because either way I get to control air traffic and that is why I applied for the job in the first place.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
Job security
As for job security, what the other posters mean is that there's no chance of some of the UK airspace becoming operated by another company - it will always be NATS (or another organisation) that controls all of UK airspace, so once you're in, you're sorted.
However, for aerodromes, the control function is contracted - if NATS loses the contract, then you might lose your job. It's not bothering me too much, and I'm on the Aerodrome course with CJayne too, but something to think about.
However, for aerodromes, the control function is contracted - if NATS loses the contract, then you might lose your job. It's not bothering me too much, and I'm on the Aerodrome course with CJayne too, but something to think about.