Old and Bold ATCOs
Join Date: Oct 2000
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<<Oh . . . and anyone know if Ronnie B is still around and practising the art ?>>
So far as I know, RR is still in the land of the living but I don't think he's practising his forte, which was radar!!
Bren
So far as I know, RR is still in the land of the living but I don't think he's practising his forte, which was radar!!
Bren
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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Brian, I'm not trying to prove anything. I still enjoy doing the job for a few days a month in between sailing, flying, writing books, spending time with the family and grandchildren (heaven sent excuse to start up a model railway), trips abroad (America later this month) and numerous other activities - I don't really think I need to get a life, I'm more than content with the one I have.
As regards blocking youngsters, one of the reasons I am still working is the difficulty experienced by small units in attracting competent radar controllers of any age for the sort of salary on offer. In any case, as many will attest, I have done more than my fair share of encouraging and positively assisting young people to make a career in ATC and I am sure none of them would begrudge my present situation.
As regards blocking youngsters, one of the reasons I am still working is the difficulty experienced by small units in attracting competent radar controllers of any age for the sort of salary on offer. In any case, as many will attest, I have done more than my fair share of encouraging and positively assisting young people to make a career in ATC and I am sure none of them would begrudge my present situation.
So, come on Leo get a life!
2 s
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There is someone who holds the record for still holding all the currencies at a much older age than Leo (although he's now retired but still passing on his wisdom methinks).
If it's the chap I am thinking of, he's not a million miles away from Leo's current haunts either.
If it's the chap I am thinking of, he's not a million miles away from Leo's current haunts either.
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There is someone who holds the record for still holding all the currencies at a much older age than Leo (although he's now retired but still passing on his wisdom methinks).
Leo
I'm worn out reading all the things you do! I'm sorry that I appeared to be having a 'go',but apart from the excuse that I was still pi**ed-off about Sunday's result (long suffering Arsenal fan!),it did seem to me on first reading as if ATC was the only thing in your life.
I was obviously mistaken,so once again sorry.
I still,though,maintain the belief that enough is enough. As I was approaching my mid-fifties it did concern me whether I would be able to cut the mustard at LL until age 60. Early retirement was not an option for me as I did not join until I was 27 (having been a RAF navigator first),could not afford to buy the extra years for a full pension when my 3 children were growing up, and as I too lived in Somerset, moving into a 9-5 job was out of the question. Anyway like my friend Heathrow Director I was only interested in talking to the aeroplanes.
I suppose it's all about horses for courses; many of my pilot mates were happy to stop flying completely at Cathay and BA's old retirement age of 55,while others could not give up and some now own shares in light aircraft so that even in their late 60s they can still 'pole' a bit.
Best wishes, Leo - I shall PM tomorrow as I'm keen to swap notes.
Brian Wildey
I was obviously mistaken,so once again sorry.
I still,though,maintain the belief that enough is enough. As I was approaching my mid-fifties it did concern me whether I would be able to cut the mustard at LL until age 60. Early retirement was not an option for me as I did not join until I was 27 (having been a RAF navigator first),could not afford to buy the extra years for a full pension when my 3 children were growing up, and as I too lived in Somerset, moving into a 9-5 job was out of the question. Anyway like my friend Heathrow Director I was only interested in talking to the aeroplanes.
I suppose it's all about horses for courses; many of my pilot mates were happy to stop flying completely at Cathay and BA's old retirement age of 55,while others could not give up and some now own shares in light aircraft so that even in their late 60s they can still 'pole' a bit.
Best wishes, Leo - I shall PM tomorrow as I'm keen to swap notes.
Brian Wildey
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Strange sort of post.....what's the deal?.....are you after a medal or something? You can have my 25 year service rosebowl if you like; I got it in 1995. I'm 61 and current BHD/LND/BRS/STU/BCN at London ACC. As for old against young.....well the pilots I've spoken to seem to appreciate the calm controlled service delivery style rather than the hysterical youthful machine-gun R/T. I do this job because I enjoy it, and when I no longer enjoy it I'll give up.
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Leo,
My other half has a guy working in the Council who is out in all weathers in remote farms working for Environmental Health.He is over 70,fit as a fiddle,plays golf and drinks whisky.
If your happy with the part-time job then great.
My other half has a guy working in the Council who is out in all weathers in remote farms working for Environmental Health.He is over 70,fit as a fiddle,plays golf and drinks whisky.
If your happy with the part-time job then great.
055166K
Blimey Stu,I thought you were retiring last year. I had a PM from someone asking for any stories about your Benbecula time for his speech. Could only remember the Vulcan 'night' one.
BW
BW
When I retired in late '08, I was fully intending to stay on providing LARS, but regretfully it was not to be (unfavourable Ts & Cs) so I became a FISO at a local airfield instead. Even now, pilots come in and say 'weren't you at Farnborough?' or 'I thought I had the wrong frequency selected when I heard your voice'. In some ways it's more challenging than controlling as you often have to handle the RTF plus file flight plans and take landing fees all at the same time, but having said that, I'd still rather be doing radar.
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A Medal
Well, no actually. My only reason for the original post was pure curiosity. However, as you bring up the subject, perhaps an OBE for services to aviation would look nice on the mantlepiece. Are you listening Ma'am?
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OBE is unlikely unless you've done a considerable and verifiable "extra".....however....an MBE is a distinct possibility. It's actually very easy, all you have to do is fill out the application form; anybody can get one. Google "MBE application form" or go to the Directgov website. Seriously...it is a simple process. Kind regards and Good Luck.
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The only MBE in ATC I remember was Vic Leonard......about 1980.....or am I making it up?
I seem to remember a plaque in the old Atlantic House celebrating the fact.
As to age...there is an ex Aldergrove controller working at EGAE who must be well into his seventies.
I seem to remember a plaque in the old Atlantic House celebrating the fact.
As to age...there is an ex Aldergrove controller working at EGAE who must be well into his seventies.
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Pat Harper, the very nice lady who used to organise all the newly arriving ATCAs at Preston Centre in the early seventies, I'm sure was an MBE.At least that was what it said on her office door.
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EWG, yes I think there is a 'pensioner' at EGAE and if my memory serves me correctly, he's an ex-Ballykelly Shackelton man (the last sqn left in 1971). He works wonders with procedural control though. 