Gonzo,

thanks for explaining that I understand it now............... I think!!! :ok:

Yep, pretty much what gonzo has said. I've got the own-brand ham. :} Just wondering if I wait for the next serving, will I be at the front of the queue?

Well, there are different kinds of jamón ibérico... with jamón de bellota probably being the best. But we would probably find that what feels like jamón de bellota for some might feel like luncheon meat for others and viceversa... luckily for everybody :ok:.

I did not expect that, angry_muppet?!?

Hi all again, another quick question, on my appliaction it asked for my height and gave two paremeters I was outside the top one. What does this mean for lanky geezers like me?

Might not be good news....

Clicky

Madhouserjd
Unfortunately, the controller workstations currently installed in many NATS centres are not height adjustable.This means that the only adjustment available to users is to the seats and the footrests. The Display Screen Regulations cannot therefore be satisfied for very tall and very short controllers. NATS was taken to an employment tribunal in 2005 by a 6ft 10in trainee controller candidate, but he lost his case.
See: BBC NEWS | England | Too-tall graduate loses tribunal
The new workstations should be more adjustable but may not be universally deployed until 2018.
The candidate concerned was, however, accepted for training by Eurocontrol at their college in Luxembourg - the workstations at Maastricht are height adjustable.

GRIM.. im 6 inches above the NATS requirement. I've been invited to stage 1 though. Am I wasting my time or what? :sad:

so hang on. Im not going to be allowed to become an ATCO because im 6ft2? I dont give a :mad: what hieght my screen is!!

I've managed to survive through several desk jobs without anything drastic happening, why are NATS so careful about this? And WHY would they accept my application KNOWING that im to tall just to tell me at the end, sorry old chap, youve made it through selection plus your medical and your ready to go to College....BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT you cant because your legs are to long.

thats complete B:mad:cks

Rant over.
Is there any point in me even applying!?

Madhouserjd

Check the last page of the NATS medical requirements. It might be worth your while getting in touch with HR to see if they can put you in touch with NATS medical.

I got an email yesterday confirming start date of May 5th on the "area" course and apparantly my contract is in the post.I havent even done my medical yetIf this is standard practise then looks like you get plenty of notice of start dates and the course you're on

My condolonces :}:}:}

620mm from foot to top of knee while sittin down. think i just about fit. :ok:

- out of interest, why does it seem that the area position is seen by some as a runners up prize? Is there a difference in pay across positions available?

The Area lot are actually paid more in most cases, but they have no windows :ok:

Personally I prefer having the chance of sitting up the tower and actually watching what I'm controlling as well as having a go on radar.

Sounds fair! Looking at both areas, is there a difference between things like average work load and opportunities for career advancement/promotion? Sorry about all the questions. :ok:

DAVECRAWFORD1234 - When and where did you do your stage 3 ? Am just waiting for my stage 3 results and I am getting impatient even though it hasn't been long! (They got back to me with S2 results in a day!)

The impression I get is that the area controllers think area is better and the aerodrome controllers dont!

The reason I chose area is that I live very close to Prestwick and I know the Swanwick area really well. If I went for aerodrome I could end up in one of many places, possibly somewhere I might not like and more importantly somewhere my wife & kids might not like.

I think your choice of course comes down to what works out best for you

PDF - I was lucky with my stage 3. I found out within a week, however some people that had their interview on the same day had to wait more than 2 weeks. But dont worry they got through also so the delay isn't a bad thing!

Someone else on my course called HR 3 days after the interview about expenses and they told him over the phone... could be worth a shot.

No real differences here. Promotion in both is non existent unless you fancy becoming a watch manager.

Another thing to consider is that if you ever get the hump with NATS further down the line as an aerodrome controller there are other places in the UK to work, including HIAL and privately owned airfields. As an Area bod if you want to leave the company you are snookered for other places to work unless you go abroad.