Degrees good for ATCO's
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LHR/EGLL
Age: 45
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I arrived at LHR in March 99.
I got involved, along with a colleague who was a matter of a 6 months more experienced than I was. We put our hands up when volunteers were sought. There was also a selection process to go through. I believe there was a push to ensure that some of the interviewers had recent experience of the training system. As an interviewer, I had a total of five days training over two different courses before being let loose on the candidates.
I remember on one of those training courses I got to meet the ATCO who had interviewed me, whom I hadn't met since that day, so that was actually very rewarding.
I got involved, along with a colleague who was a matter of a 6 months more experienced than I was. We put our hands up when volunteers were sought. There was also a selection process to go through. I believe there was a push to ensure that some of the interviewers had recent experience of the training system. As an interviewer, I had a total of five days training over two different courses before being let loose on the candidates.
I remember on one of those training courses I got to meet the ATCO who had interviewed me, whom I hadn't met since that day, so that was actually very rewarding.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
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<<It's all about how you make decisions, solve problems, change plans, cope with adversity etc.>>
Very different from my interview. Three Civil Servants and one ATCO (Ernie A strangely enough) questioned me In those days, candidates were recommended to read that morning's Daily Telegraph. I did and, sure enough, several questions on the contents were asked. The ATCO merely wished to hear about where I had worked previously and it all worked OK, much to my surprise.
Very different from my interview. Three Civil Servants and one ATCO (Ernie A strangely enough) questioned me In those days, candidates were recommended to read that morning's Daily Telegraph. I did and, sure enough, several questions on the contents were asked. The ATCO merely wished to hear about where I had worked previously and it all worked OK, much to my surprise.
de minimus non curat lex
Zooker
You made very interesting comments about those who sail though the "academic" college process but cannot cope when in the OJT phase.
The answer might well be returning to something similar many moons ago when a few months were spent in the field after each rating phase to get a "taster" at a Unit.
I have heard similar stories in medicine when the baby doctors actually have to deal with real patients and simply cannot cope.
Probably personality has a lot to do with both occupations.
Call me old fashioned if you want, but quite simply, you need the osmosis to work; it cannot be rushed.
You made very interesting comments about those who sail though the "academic" college process but cannot cope when in the OJT phase.
The answer might well be returning to something similar many moons ago when a few months were spent in the field after each rating phase to get a "taster" at a Unit.
I have heard similar stories in medicine when the baby doctors actually have to deal with real patients and simply cannot cope.
Probably personality has a lot to do with both occupations.
Call me old fashioned if you want, but quite simply, you need the osmosis to work; it cannot be rushed.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The foot of Mt. Belzoni.
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parkfell,
you can't argue with that. Unfortunately, like most things, it's now driven largely by accountants, who don't really understand the value of 'Famil'.
When we went through in 1979-82, we even did a 13 week 'ATSA Familiarisation Course' at various operational units. We were given our student ATCO licences the first week we were at Hurn and I think I made my first supervised R/T transmissions about 7 weeks after starting. I don't think that happens today.
Out of the 33 of us who started, 30 passed, and 3 of those subsequently left to become airline captains.
I've just spotted your 'location indicator'....Enjoy the golf next month!
you can't argue with that. Unfortunately, like most things, it's now driven largely by accountants, who don't really understand the value of 'Famil'.
When we went through in 1979-82, we even did a 13 week 'ATSA Familiarisation Course' at various operational units. We were given our student ATCO licences the first week we were at Hurn and I think I made my first supervised R/T transmissions about 7 weeks after starting. I don't think that happens today.
Out of the 33 of us who started, 30 passed, and 3 of those subsequently left to become airline captains.
I've just spotted your 'location indicator'....Enjoy the golf next month!
de minimus non curat lex
Preparations are well in hand for the OPEN. Roads resurfaced. Lots of white paint.
I think I was the only one of no.54 course who went flying.
Have the beancounters appointed anyone to be in charge of the deck chairs?
I think I was the only one of no.54 course who went flying.
Have the beancounters appointed anyone to be in charge of the deck chairs?
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I was 3 years into a degree when I applied for ATC..... Had no prior knowledge of anything to do with aviation to be honest...... But I was honest about it and the interviewers seemed to be more interested in the fact I had loads of summer jobs on the go to pay for college .....then knowledge of aviation.
The 3 years study didn't come in handy at all but didn't do me any harm either . I'd just apply first and then if you don't get in go and study something else. Good luck whatever you decide
The 3 years study didn't come in handy at all but didn't do me any harm either . I'd just apply first and then if you don't get in go and study something else. Good luck whatever you decide
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I am 17 and want to be an ATCO. This year I got a part time job as an ATCA at my local airport, which handles around 10,000 movements and 4,000 transits a year, whilst I finish my A levels. I had been volunteering within the airport for over 2 years to gain experience which was what got me the job in the end.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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NewquayJacob,
Well done. That is a very good move. I did about 18 months as an ATCA in 1975/76, during which time I learnt a great deal which came in useful later on. NATS had stopped recruiting back then, so I left and did a degree in Geology/Geography. I started as a direct-entrant ATCO Cadet 2 months after my finals, but all the flight-planning and basic stuff was still in there.
Well done. That is a very good move. I did about 18 months as an ATCA in 1975/76, during which time I learnt a great deal which came in useful later on. NATS had stopped recruiting back then, so I left and did a degree in Geology/Geography. I started as a direct-entrant ATCO Cadet 2 months after my finals, but all the flight-planning and basic stuff was still in there.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Got a degree in Maths, joined NATS last year, finished basic and a/d and am now posted and going through OJT 'as well as can be expected' for someone with no prior interest in aviation.
Love the job, don't regret doing my degree, interviewers seemed to particularly like that I held a job at a reputable fast food chain for 5 years to help fund rent money for my degree expenses, rather than having done the degree itself. Just got to put a hell of a lot of work in! Personally, the subject of my degree hasn't helped in the slightest, but the different ways it taught me to think about things has certainly helped. Apply ASAP, I had to wait 2 1/2 years for the whole interview process to finish and whilst it may not happen like that again, who knows.
Love the job, don't regret doing my degree, interviewers seemed to particularly like that I held a job at a reputable fast food chain for 5 years to help fund rent money for my degree expenses, rather than having done the degree itself. Just got to put a hell of a lot of work in! Personally, the subject of my degree hasn't helped in the slightest, but the different ways it taught me to think about things has certainly helped. Apply ASAP, I had to wait 2 1/2 years for the whole interview process to finish and whilst it may not happen like that again, who knows.
I suspect this is mostly a euro ATC thread, so it may not apply...
Know nothing of the various retirement plans you enjoy. A friend who was a US controller managed to retire at 52. He wasn't ready to hang it up quite yet. Wanted to try his hand at work outside of aviation. While he had quite a bit of experience beyond controlling, such as air space management, minor project management, etc, he didn't have a 4 yr uni degree.
He had hoped his employment experience would help land a job at one of the many defense contractors locally, the lack of a degree has stymied that idea.
If a second career is a possibility, get the degree!
Know nothing of the various retirement plans you enjoy. A friend who was a US controller managed to retire at 52. He wasn't ready to hang it up quite yet. Wanted to try his hand at work outside of aviation. While he had quite a bit of experience beyond controlling, such as air space management, minor project management, etc, he didn't have a 4 yr uni degree.
He had hoped his employment experience would help land a job at one of the many defense contractors locally, the lack of a degree has stymied that idea.
If a second career is a possibility, get the degree!
