He he. Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Point 7. :E

Damn Jer, beat me to it!

I'm worried about him.... he was in work trying to look important the other day, as befits his new Ops job, but you know what, it looked to me as if he was wearing a suit: Shirt, tie, jacket, everything!

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Council tax question:

Again, this info may be out of date, but we got a council tax exemption because the college provided a letter stating that we were on a course of full time education. I assume it's still the same?

He must have had a court appearance that afternoon.

And THAT coming from an a nation fo convicts!!! :)

Leave my mate P7 alone - when he is Chief Exec of Nats you will all be sorry......

Scots

I was in the same boat as you.Started in Mar04,course 130 this year at the tender age of 30.
I took a £15k pay cut and I've really struggled financially over the last 6 months,been using my plastic friend to help me out! That said,I have NO complaints because this is the best job in the world. I've got 5-6 months left at the college (summatives permitting!) and I've loved every minute. Be under no illusions,the College is seriously hard work,but its great fun too. The instructors are excellent and so are the courses.
Try and not worry abiut money,just do what I do and think what you'll be earning when you get out!!
Best of luck,


777

P.s Yes you do unfortunately have to pay council tax,the exemption was cancelled a while ago.

Ouch Council Tax
 

Thanks 777. That's certainly great encouragement hearing you're in the same boat as myself really.

But Ouch having to pay council tax on that salary, that's going to hurt most and really effect the standard of life. I suppose that pushing me towards the idea of sharing a big house with a couple of people now. I'd be interested in what your living arrangement are 777. Also interested in how you came across ATC as a career and what your motivations to go for it were.

Life's about sacrifices and we all know why were're doing this or planning to do it. I have never heard of any profession where people say they love their job so much and it's the best job in the world.

There's also that feeling that you're all aiming for the same thing. Having that in common creates very strong bonds. It was similar when I passed my pilot tests at Cranwell. Everyone clicked because we had common aims. Different personalities to bounce off though which made it fun.

Perhaps the reason why the application process is so long is the NATS wants to be sure it's not a whim you're indulging and that you really want to do it before they begin to spend a quarter million training you.

During the last few months I've really been thinking about this and know I have to do it in the end. Yesterday for example when I was hungover : 'I'm thinking oh my God I'm a really going give all this up to go for it, I love this city, I love my friends/family/dog.'

In the end though I don't love my job and I'm gripped and fascinated with this career.

ppmuckle 3:1 female to male ratio is fine by me ;) One of my concerns coming from a 'normal' job was that I'd find myself in an overly male environment. Although my Consultant job at the moment is a bit overly female which can be just as bad.

When I used the word scared in the title of the thread I was just expressing concern about the opaque nature of the job. You don't really know what it is until you do it. I wonder if the tests I've passed really mean I'm suitable for the job. I know I've got alot of hard work ahead of me even though I consider myself a bright spark, it's the natural ability thing though.

Those with experience may laugh at this but I'm considering really going to town on brushing up my mental arithmetic as i haven't really used that under fire since first and second year at secondary school :uhoh: (and then lives and my career didn't depend on it.)

Can't wait till March though fingers crossed when that letter comes through I can go about selling the flat.

I'm grateful for the feedback everyone.

Hi pumuckl and sla,

I'm another female on the March 04 course and as far as I'm aware I dont know expedite_climb so I make that a 4:1 ratio.

See you in March :D

Smoggie - I have distinct feeling you do know me ! ;)

I'm on the March course. Sorry to bring the ratio down but it's 4:2 now. (Four of you, two of us... is that Pimm's O'Clock:) :) )

Being from Southampton and working at Gatwick at least I'll have something in common with two of you.

Add in the fact that Scotsliveit is from north of the wall so presumably knows his way to the bar...

Yep, ding dang do springs to mind!:ok:

March
 

Yes the bar will certainly be found on occasion :)

i'm also a fitness fanatic and thrills junkie so I'll be looking for a good gym and lamenting the fact that there may be less mountains to climb on the south coast.

Talking of the March course has anyone received a confirmation letter or are we all just pencilled in?

I'm dreading being told I'll have to wait longer as I really just want to get on with this.

I'm considering opening another thread about ATCO holidays and how many days they actually get off a year i.e they work 181 days.

I was told that I would receive a letter in 2 months, that was at the beginning of November, apparantly HR were too busy dealing with the December course, so I may phone up to see how it's going mid December, because I feel the same, it would be really frustrating to be pushed back a course and it would be much better to have something in writing. Also I want to know all the details.

I wouldn't worry, I think they may have a few spare spots on the march course now as I was 'pencilled in' for it and I got the call for December. Very scary and last-minute (6 weeks notice) but honestly it put a fire under me and got me out of working for a certain ground handling agent for a few extra months YAY!
I also know one other person who posts on here that was down for March but took December. So there's two less people fighting for March places.

Oh, and for the sake of the stats, I'm a lass.

While we're on the subject of stats, what seems to be the North/South ratio?

And your point is?

This is all encouraging stuff. I've been told over the phone that I'm in for June 2005 but I've already quit (the temptation was too much) and asked of the possibility to get on in March. Just by the by - how long were folks waiting for paperwork - ie medical etc after email confirming passing stage 2. I just want it all signed sealed delivered ASAP with the chance of getting March course. Oh - and just for the stats: I'm a bloke, and for the other worries I'm taking the big pay cut too. Here's hoping it all goes well then or we're all :mad:

Scotsliveit, I'm just a little curious as you would want to open "that" thread?

Holiday thread
 

Concerning the holiday thread. I'm just wondering what the holiday entitlement of a working ATCO is. That is what their actual annual leave is.

In my job as in most I have 22 days annual leave. I'll then have bank holidays on top of that. There are ways I can get more in my present position but that involves flexi time and flexi days.

I don't know if I've struck a nerve here or something about days off but I take it having four days off before six days on goes a long way to only working 181 days a year.

I'm also showing my age here perhaps but I'm also interested in if there are medical and dental plans etc. I've all ready done the research on the pension. God Mr Serious nowadays is I.

I won't bother starting a new thread then and just see if it's answered here. This would go quite a bit towards understanding the lifestyle of an ATCO. Every ATC'er I've ever met has told me they love their job and get alot of time to indulge their hobbies.

Hi Billy Onions it is so tempting to go down a gear when you've got a date to aim for. June though seems a long way off still, whereas with all the organisation necessary March ain't too for away. Have you actually quit Billy or are you working notice.

I waited a very long time for medical paperwork to come through. I was offered the place in May and just had my Medical in early November. I phoned quite a few times though.

I'd be interested in hearing your background Billy as it sounds very similar to my own as does your excitement about the challanges ahead. Private message me if you fancy.

Billy....it varies dramatically as to when people get there paperwork. I passed my second stage interview back in July, and had my medical 3wks ago for start date of Dec 6th. I got all my paperwork from the college etc 2 weeks ago, so all is rosy in the world...it was a bit stressful during the wait...however, some people have had there medicals for months and have all paperwork etc...my advise is to keep chasing it up, all the time!

Scotsliveit....according to my terms/cons of employment when I leave the college I am entitled to 28 days annual leave. I don't know if this increase the more time you are with NATS but thats the info I was given...hope that helps.

Another March bod here. Male too.

I have been pencilled in for March for about 3 months now because I turned down a place on the December course because March fitted my plans better.

I get the feeling that HR won't be that bothered with us until they've got the December course started, so I expect to hear that my references have been finally taken up and get a firm letter about the course then.

micks info is correct
28 days plus bank holidays(8 i think)
after ten years you get more(4 days but to busy enjoying time off to remember)
all the best:ok: