ATCO Decision now Excited/scared bout CATC
 

Well I've read this forum with deep interest over the last few days. It's given me alot of the information that I couldn't find anywhere else especially NATS Hr over the last year.

I passed the selection tests and the interviews first time this year. Recently passed passed the medical and looks like I'm heading down to CATC in March 05. (a year from sitting the tests, not bad if all goes smoothly)

How long would someone applying in 2001/2002 have had too wait?

This is probably the biggest decision I've ever made in my life. I like a gamble though but gambling with my career ..ahh.

I'm in my late twenties so it's the only chance I've got to do it. I've been fascinated with avaition since a baby. Almost joined the RAF as a pilot after Honours degree. Opted instead to play safe and do my Masters degree.

Now I'm taking more than a 50% paycut to become a trainee. Selling my flat and possibly giving up alot of little luxuries in life, leather sofas, sky, superkingsize bed, living alone and Celtic football club.

rite nuff of that tears on my pillow p*sh. I'm gonna/have to do it. To hear you guys describing it as the best job in the world, and still enjoying the buzz and challenge is great.

Now listening to the kids talking is great as they're excited and motivated but they're not giving up anything to do it. Everything is a plus for them. I am more interested in the guys like myself who've given up good careers (which they're less passionate about) to persue this.

Another thing is I love living on my own, yep sure I'll stay in a Boscombe B&B for a few weeks to booze with the gang and try and suss out a cool flat.

Is it affordable for a trainee to live on their todd? And have the crew round when suits?

It's going to weird being one of the older ones as I've always been one of the younger ones. At least though they'll always be up for a night out unlike my troops here who're hiding in their houses with their girlfriends(or certain publications).

Anyhow's I'd like to hear from anyone else who was in my situation.

Also the true pros and cons of ATCO life from the inside(besides the buzz of the job). 181 days off a year etc. Do you get cheap holidays? What is it about the lifestyle you guys love? Note I also want to hear the bad points from your side.

I'm slightly concerned bout the shiftwork aspect. It teriffies me to think about being sleepy on this job. Also you miss the footy sometimes (get over it)

Oh yeah is there ever any hot girls on the courses at CATC? ;0)

Hi, I start the college on Dec 6th. I have taken a 60% paycut from a solid career to do something I've always wanted to do. This means leaving my wife up north, still paying the mortgage, and living without lifes luxuries for a while.

I applied in March 2003 so its 20mths or so to get here.....

I looked at getting a studio flat on my own and prices look to be from about £500 upward. The college advises against this as there will be times when you are away from the college, ie on the job training etc, and they won't pay the accommodation allowance when you are not there, so you would have to find the extra cash to pay for your rent.

Think about it, work hard for couple of years and you'll be back to life's luxuries in no time, with the best job in the world....that swung it for me....:ok:

Best of luck with whatever decision you make.

Cheers Mick
 

Cheers Mick

I'll definitely take the opportunity to give this a shot. It's great to hear from people like yourself who are in a similar situation.

I'm sure we'll be around the same table having a couple of Jars at some point.

Certainly with the things we are giving up they're will certainly be a drive within us.

Concerning flats etc I'll cross that bridge when I come to it and I'll go with the flow.

It's good to hear your wife etc are supporting you.

I know Bournemouth very well and it's a good town. I'll miss the big city a bit though but I've had that for ten years.

Very much looking forward to the adventure and challanges ahead.

You will find the sacrifice far outweighs any of the downsides to the job. The only part I didn't like was the night shifts but if you prepare for them then no problem. Obviousely you cannot go out every friday and saturday night with your mates but when you are off for the weekend then you look forward to it more. You can also go shopping without the hussle and bussle of saturdays when everyone else is. You will soon get used to shift work and I'm sure you'll find it to be ok. Enjoy the job it's great, if you do not like shifts then there are plenty of opportunities within NATS to work 9-5. If you also plan your leave well in advance then it helps. Like you say 180 days working per annum, not bad. A good wedge in your hand every month, not bad. Discounted holidays through UKATTS, not bad. Discounted flights through the Guild, not bad. All in all bloody good. Concentrate and pass your exams, validate and then decide.

Rgds

ILS 119.5

When I was there it was entirely possible to get a 1 bedroom flat in Boscombe within the accomodation allowance, but I don't know what the rental market is like these days. I was like you, used to living alone and not keen on spending 18 months, as it was then, in a B&B. Others shared houses together and seemed to have no problems.

The warning about not getting money to pay for a flat when you are away doing your 3 months OJT at a unit (do they still have that on the new area course?) is relevant, but keep in mind that there will be people at the college at a different stage in their training who will only be too happy to take over your flat for 3 months while you are away and pay you their allowance - that was certainly my experience. Technically it's sub-letting, but who needs to know?

Living Alone
 

Thanks
I'll certainly look into living alone and possibly sub letting. I've had a few wild nights in Bournemouth and know the town quite well. I have been told by a girlfriend down there that Boscombe is a bit dodgy.

You know what it's like though you hear that about alot of places that actually are fine.

Beyond the job do you guys find you tend to only socialise with other ATCO's? Bit like oil rig workers they're always off while everyone else is working. I'm sure i'll adjust to shifts when I eventually do them.

Haha this may sound shallow but as a single guy I do wonder what sort of women I'll meet in this job.

Mind off the girls there's alot of work to be done.

Heheh. It's slightly dodgy, but mainly fine. Certainly nothing that should concern a Glaswegian. It's no worse than, say, Partick. Most of the student controllers seem to end up living there, whether it's in B&B's or flats.

You do tend to socialise with your watch, when I was at LATCC we all tended to go out together, play 5 a side after an early shift etc. It all depends where you are posted, At the larger units then you will socialise with your colleagues, however that will also depend on where they live as they could be 30 miles east and you could be 30 miles west. Smaller units may be a bit different, but due to the nature of shift work and being off at the same time as your colleagues the it is only natural that yo mix with them.

Rgds

ILS 119.5

I start in December as you may have seen already and am too, taking a substantial cut in salary to follow a dream! From what I have seen, it WILL be worth it in the long run!! The career sounds fantastic, the time off is crackin if you have a family etc...etc...

I will be leaving my wife and 5 month old son back home whilst I train and by the looks I will not be alone in the early Monday start and mad dash Friday afternoon thing!!

As a famous advertuising agency once said to a running shoe manufacturer; Just do it!

*edited as those b@stard grmelins got to me spellin!!:*

Obviously I can only speak from my own experiences (makes a change some might say) but I started at the college aged 26 with a young family. It was a big gamble and it has been a long hard slog.....count the grey hairs...BUT...there isn't any one of my friends who enjoy their job as much as I do. If ATC is for you, and it isn't everybody's cup of tea, then I really believe there is no better job in the world. The downside is the graft you have to put in to become valid. There will be many hurdles and obstacles on the way but stick at it. If you do get through the other side then I very much doubt you'll ever regret it.
Good Luck
V

The Daunting but exciting adventure ahead
 

It's great to read the posts from the guys who have gave up so much more than me to give this a shot. Young families and wives etc being left at home, and still paying the mortgage while training.

I'm up for the challenge ahead and it really is what I need at this point of my life. I've always felt guilty buying houses and cars in my present position as I have no true real passion for it and it's all about money. I often regret not following one of my passions when I was younger (aviation) being one. This is my chance before I'm thirty to do this.

It's heartening to hear of the other guys like myself taking the 50% plus pay cuts to do this. It ratifies to me that I'm not insane to be changing my career this way and I look forward to giving you all my support in the trek towards validation.

In some ways we could be worse off. I have four years experience in a good career, if things go wrong I fall back on my qualifications and experience and start this career again on a pay rise knowing that I gave this a shot.

I'll make sure that doesn't happen by giving my all to make a success of this.

The youngsters have nothing to fall back on and may have to consider a different career are scramble an ATSA position if the worst happens.

Another thing that appeals to me is being around people with a similar goal as myself. Not all exactly the same as me (that would be boring) but a team in the true sense. (I think thats why area control at Swanwick appeals to me at the moment). I don't really have that in my career just now. Tend to live for the weekend and that's not life.

My friends and family are fully behind me with some reservations. This is a bit deep but alot of them think I just need a great women in my life to haha rescue me from my bachelor lifestyle. They think this is me taking a backward step from settling down as they know it would be hard to start any serious relationship during the training ahead due to the intensity of it and the possible geographic mobility.

Sorry to go on a bit but just sharing my thoughts with guys who may be in the same position.

Hopefully our journey through the college shouldn't be as long as some (courses 124 - 128) due to course restructure. I know it's talking way off in the future but it's in NATS interest to get us valid in the best possible time (hard when there is a shortage of ATCO's for OJT when out at the unit)

Well that's the heart on the sleeve bit over haha you won't find me this honest and emotional when we meet in the pub ;0)

I'll be sticking all my furniture into storage, selling the flat and living in Boscombe for a wee bit to really get to know the gang.

Then I'll probably be scoping for an unfurnished flat to get my furniture down and wire in. Is sub letting legal??

yeh Rodan you\'re right. Partick has a few maddies living there but it\'s mainly alright. Lot\'s of students, good people etc. I lived there as a student.


Oh my GOD I\'m becoming a student again.

In addition do you have to pay my favourite tax COUNCIL TAX while you\'re at CATC??

How many women are there normally per course?

I ask this as a woman myself, are we in a small minority? Any other girls out there starting in March? Any other Mums even, or will I be the only one?

yep shallow is I
 

Yep I'm totally shallow and superficial and have decided to pursue a career as an ATCO in NATS to meet women. Yeh right.

I'm interested in what sort of people I'm going to meet. Being a young guy of course I'm interested in what sort of women tend to go for ATC. If it's women from all different types of backgrounds etc.

I was interested in the single mothers thread on here which I read with interest. The fact is it's a male dominated profession 75% male to 25% female.

Why don't you answer the council tax question which would be more constructive instead of making assumptions.

Chilled
 

Hi there, haha yeh I'm chilled. You've got me smilling in the office.

I look forward to meeting you to in March hopefully. haha this is weird that we are begining to meet each other before we actually meet each other.

The excitement's building already.

yeh Council tax. I am no longer smiling in the office;)

One possible downside to the shift working is the planning ahead.

No more arranging with your mates on Thursday evening to go out on Friday. That's something that 'real world' friends might have problems understanding. They often can't seem to grasp the fact that when you say you can't, becasue you're working, means you really, really can't; there's no more leave available.

ATCOs are very incestuous (must be all that time off together) and promiscuous; the number of affairs that go on must be above average, as must be the rate of divorce. Also the number of ATCO couples is high.

Selling it
 

haha promiscious you're selling the job well Gonzo. (joking folks)

Are you serious about this though and do you think the different working environment from the norm is the catalyst for this?

The reason why I'm rolling with you on this one Gonzo is I know an ATC who could be described as this. I'll leave it at that.

I think one of my concerns about this job is due to the opaque nature of it. i.e you don't know the true nature of the job until you do it.

I'm concerned about sleep patterns. I like my sleep, one of my fave vices it is. I'm alarmed by the idea of doing this job slightly sleepy or with a bit of the cold.

Today I have a bit of a cold in my head so it's affecting my work a bit (plus it's friday) as an ATCO what would the consequencies be I wonder.

Yes, I'm serious. As to the whys and wherefores, I have no idea.
Those who know me know my thoughts on it. I would imagine it's a combination of long periods of time off together, long periods at work together and shift work (easier to lie to 'other half'....'yes dear, I've got a night shift tonight!').

Personally I don't have a problem with the sleep patterns, but then I can get by on little sleep. Many of my colleagues have problems sleeping before an early morning shift.

Regarding illness/tiredness 'affecting my work', the simple answer is that you shouldn't be there if that's the case. Take the day off.

affairs
 

made me laugh thinking of the earlier quote that ATC is male dominated, 75% male to 25% female, then reading of the affairs. Either there's a couple of slappers around here, or some same bus experimentation going on!
Great job, great life

sla / pumuckl - I know a young lady who I think might be on your course - and I don't think it is either of you two.... so that makes 3 of you at least !

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: