Hope you have a great summer. You will learn a great deal, which, will always be useful background knowledge when you (hopefully), make it as an ATCO. I spent many a happy 'fatigue-break' on the apron at EGCC taking pictures of aeroplanes. (Cost a fortune in Kodachrome). All the people I met were really friendly and helpful. Don't forget to put any 'FOD' in the appropriate bin, - every little helps.

JackRalston: what is it that makes you think that they seem to be still having a tough time as far as recruitment is concerned?. Thanks

P.D: I wish you the best with your new job!.

Thanks Zooker and mts1. I shall enjoy it very much.

Well my reasoning behind what I said about the next statement is simply my opinion and my opinion only so obviously don't take it granted. You might want to take into consideration that I was informed tonight by a controller at BHX that he believes NATS are considering recruiting ATCOs again from next month....so I guess the simple and easiest thing to do is "wait and see".

it's February already - hurry up!! :sad:

Doubt about working conditions
 

Hello... I have a doubt regarding working conditions given by NATS and I would like very much that any controller or student, who knows it, answers me. In NATS webpage Benefits - NATS Air Traffic Controllers Careers, when they say that "your salary will rise to £42,061* - £46,878* plus shift pay of £5,543*", I would like to know if these values are net or gross. If this is a net salary or a gross salary...
I think that these values should be net, after taxes have been paid, because otherwise it seems to me ATCOs aren't so well paid.. I see engineering positions offering 45000£ gross salary with only two or three years of professional experience and I think that ATCOs earn much more.
I look forward to hear from you soon...

Hello...
In NATS webpage they say that after validation the salary of an ATCO is about 45000£ more a shift allowance of about 5000£. I would like to know if these values are net or gross... Is this a net salary or a gross salary... I think that they should net but I would like to have an answer frm someone who knows about it such as a controller or someone else.
I look forward to hear from you soon...

definitely gross, 40+% to taxman!

Clearly someone who doesn't understand tax.

The figures are gross, but then all salary figures are as individuals have different allowances etc. The salary you will get post validation is roughly the same for each band, the difference between band 5 (top) and band 1 (bottom) is only around £3,000 initially.

For example, for a band 3 unit, your post validation salary will be just over £40,000 including the shift allowance. That is a gross amount. Take home pay for an average UK tax payer will be £2,500 a month (£30,000 per year net), less anything you pay into the very good company pension. That's an effective tax/NI combined rate of 25%, not 40%.

You remain on this amount after validation until you have been with the company for 3 years (from the start of your training). You then go onto the full ATCO pay scale, again at roughly the same point for all units. Again, for Band 3 this is around £56,000 per year gross. Again, take home will be around £3,300 per month net (£40,000 per year net) before any deductions such as pension etc.

You then get length of service rises each April until you reach top of the scale for your unit band. Band 5 rises much more quickly than Band 1, and quite a bit quicker than Band 3. If you do nothing else a Band 3 ATCO at the top of the scale currently will earn around £75,000 gross.

This annual rise is not cost of living, it is a pay increase. Cost of living rises are separate, where awarded, and negotiated generally by the union.

Well, feel free to stay in the Banana Republic that is Portugal then mate. Are you sure your government will have the money to keep the lights on, never mind pay controllers a decent wage?

We've been here before.. :P Anyone heard anything? I haven't yet.

Phil

NATS interview process
 

Raincheck for all. Doesn't look like good news fellows

How come? NATS website still showing December update, stating February update to follow.

Jesseladrian: What new news do you have??. I have just had a look at the page and still the old update remains...

Here's hoping for some positive news really soon!

tick tock tick tock....

Still awaiting the statement on the NATS website. Seem to be getting mixed views on what it could say, I'm hoping it is positive so to finally get rid of the backlog, but it won't effect my decision, i'm putting it all on hold for a few years.

bugger.....

After today's disappointing announcement, I'm of the same mind as you, Jack - I'm putting it on hold. I expect a number of recent university graduates will all do the same.

Tim91

Yep, I kind of expected this but didn't at the same time having heard internally they had been told it would likely reopen. I start training for PSA with Swissport at MAN next month and hope to take that full-time or even move over to dispatch eventually. It is difficult for a lot of graduates now, I know the pain!

QUICK POINT - just checked the website and it seems that statement has disappeared? it's reverted back to the December one.

EDIT: Just as I constantly refresh, it's changed to the latest February one :D

Why is it the update is dated as the16th when it has been just today that the new announcement appeared on my browser?. And by the number of comments, it seems as if I am not the only one...

EDIT: Is anybody even capable of telling me if this is a normal behaviour by NATS side?. Or is there something just not right?.

I would assume they had their review on the 16th, but didn't put it on the internet until the 20th.