Why should we go to Swanwick?
 

Given the fact that 'Prince' Harry has just been excused service in Iraq (despite the huge amount of tax payers money that has been wasted on his training) why should I and others accept being posted to Swanwick? Or does being rich and privileged exempt you from being a 'mobile grade'?

I think I'll claim similar privileges over the move to NPC. I wonder what my chances will be?

I think you answered your own question.

In HRH Harry's defence, it isn't his decision and he was probably raring to go. He's probably as p*ssed off not to be going as those who threatened are that he won't be their target. After all, back when his uncle was at war, the Argentines played more or less by the rules of "civilised" war and so did the UK forces. They would have been happy to have shot him down or sunk his ship, but they wore uniforms while attempting to do so.

For everyone else in a mobile grade, hey, I know it sucks big time when you have family settled and friends in one area and are forced to move. But if you can't take a joke.....

Hmm -

Stay at West Drayton (a piece of Manhattan as the property developers are trying to advertise it), or move to the south coast... near the sea, near the New Forest, good transport links into London village if you want them, cleaner air, no M25 (if you move).

I'm quite happy to be a mobile grade in this instance..... at least once we have moved we can virtually guarantee that we will not move again in our career (unless we want to).

Considering we are 'mobile grades' I think we get off lightly compared to others - particularly the military, seeing as that was brought up in the thread starter!

If only it were that clear cut for everybody. Sure, if you're unlucky enough to live in or around West Drayton then Swanwick will seem like a dream place to live. Personally I've seen nothing there to beat the beautiful Chiltern countryside I live in now. I take your point about the M25 but have you seen the M27? For most of the day it's unbelieveably busy and for much of it, at a total standstill. That section of the South Coast is not even very nice compared to others to the East and West of it. To find anywhere REALLY nice to live you're looking at a longish journey each day to work, in fact no different to the current situation at West Drayton at all.

I don't know who chose this location all those years ago, or why but I know that I won't be thanking them for it. I'm dreading it.:{

NATS people can be a funny bunch.

scream, shout, stomp feet about something not in contract and not fair- can't say i blame you.

scream, shout, stomp feet about something in your contract - JUST GET ON WITH IT

"scream, shout, stomp feet about something in your contract - JUST GET ON WITH IT"

Hear, hear..

If you don't like it, go and get a static post job somewhere else..

There are plenty of beautiful villages and countryside around Hampshire - certainly just as pleasant as High Wycombe! I do wish people that are happy to take the money would stop bleeting about the inevitable moves. You could always leave NATS if you really want to stay where you are.

Some interesting replies and not all as hostile as I was first expecting. I think some of you have missed the point slightly. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't somebody court martialled a while back for refusing to go to Iraq?

To be fair I think I actually agree with the decision. If he did go it would be a fiasco, it would take half the existing British forces over there to look after him not to mention a victory for some of the more unsavoury elements in the country if something did happen.

However, I do think it calls into question the point about having royals in the armed forces in the first place. It's also a bit of an insult to the friends and families who have lost loved ones (and they didn't have a choice if they wanted to go or not). Would be interesting to hear what some of our military colleagues think.

I wonder if an ATCO would be happy having a 'Royal' colleague if they couldn't validate? (apart from 'Fergie' of course 'cos she's a bit hot!)

The bit about going to Swanwick was a bit tongue in cheek since I've alway accepted that I'm a mobile grade (doesn't mean I have to like it though!)

Why go to Swanwick
 

As above plus,
Nice smokers shack by the lake,
Restaurant with a view of the lake, not the security fence with the shops behind obscured by tacky red blinds.
Swanwick is full of totty unlike the desert that is HMP and as for CTC!!!!!
Climate controlled environment.
Shopping at West Quays, Winchester and Chichester.
Quick hop to the ferry for the booze cruise/holiday
SOTON airport up the road for that getaway to the sun without the hassle of LL or KK.
Lots of luverly pubs near Wickham, Botley etc.

Cruisecontrol.
"I take your point about the M25 but have you seen the M27? For most of the day it's unbelieveably busy and for much of it, at a total standstill."

In my experience, that statement is factually inaccurate. We've been here since August and I use the M27 between J9 and J5 on a very regular basis, at various times of the day. The eastbound exit at J9 after about 16:00 can be slow and the westbound stretch between Botley (J7) and the airport (J5) can be slow up until about 09:30. Outside these times it has been as wide open as any other motorway. Sure, if there is a prang then general rules apply.

.4

Oh dear!! Here's hoping the move to the south coast avails you of a selection of better looking women than you're clearly used to!! :ok:

Restaurant is stretching the use of the word a little bit! Watch out for the crazy multiple fruit crumbles? Plum and pineapple anyone?

I have to agree with .4, I've been down here for two years, and for anyone to compare the hour and a half of busy traffic on the M27 at each end of the working day with the hours of gridlock on the M25 is quite silly.

Gonzo, if you work at egll why do you live in hampshire?

Would you want to live in Hounslow?:E

Come 2 Swanwick. Not all the "ERICS" bite!! Yes we know about that 1!!

"Restaurant is stretching the use of the word a little bit! Watch out for the crazy multiple fruit crumbles? Plum and pineapple anyone?"

Nice to know we can look forward to the same standard of food then! Although I believe that the catering at CTC is very good. I wonder why!

As I have spent the last two years building your new ops room it would be a shame if you didn't turn up :bored:

MancBoy,

1) Nice countryside.
2) Near the coast (I grew up in Devon).
3) Cheaper than nearer work.
4) Feels like I am away from work on my days off (I have variously lived near Slough, in Maidenhead and Reading, and never actually felt that I was away from work; as every few minutes there was a aeroplane overhead that I'd be talking to at work).
5) Near my brother who works at LACC.

I see, and now I know who you are if your brother works at Swanwick, who is a top lad too by the way:D

ATSA Grunt, you know what an ERIC is or who was called one?

Now you have me at a disadvantage Sir....:}

'Too'?? That makes it a veiled compliment you know! :)

cruisecontrol:

There are some stunning caravan parks on the coast. Have you considered living in a van and going home on days off? Works good for me. Bit damp in winter though but beggers cant be choosers !

Ho Hum...

Cruisecontrol:

I can give you the number of a cracking campsite that I use. Fantastic shower block. Just pm me for details.

Is this turning into a gay chat line?!?!?

See you in trap two of the Blue Oyster Campsite..... oeerrr misses??

Do me a favour. This is for ATCOs....not pikeys

Plenty of ATCO's out there with caravans!

Was just trying to cheer up cruisecontrol, and give him another option.

As they say in Snatch.....

"I f00kin' hate Pikey's......"

Jeez - for £85k pa buy a flat!

You could get more space in a big caravan than a 85k flat !
And you can tow it to Devon for your holidays. :) If you dont mind sharing the showers.

Caravaners ARE pikey's by default.

'Nuff said.... and stop cruising for some fresh meat! (You need X watch) :cool:

Have I hit a nerve? Seems to be a tender point (the homo bit, not caravaning)

In all serious cruisecontrol, check out Dibles Caravan Park

http://www.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&p...authority&cd=2

You get electric hook up for another £2 a day, which is a great price.

Ive got a swift charisma 590. She's a twin axle 25 footer.

pm for more details if you like.

You will go to Swanwick because

A) you are a mobile grade and you signed on the dotted line. Oh, and you are paid for it.

B) That's where your job will be, and you get paid for it.

C) You like your job....

D) No matter what you TC guys may think, you are NOT royalty or in the British armed forces!

Some of you sound like people who've just bought houses near an airport complaining when they hear an aircraft take off.

How long has the move been on the cards? Before many of you joined, I'd bet.:p

The caravaners may be interested in the Caravan Club's new site under construction in the new forest. Should be a bit special as it's their most expensive yet:

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/Plannin...entenary+Site/

May be meeting you there, once I've sailed through the selection process of course :ok:

MrS

A world of Range Rovers and caravans with more electric gadgets than the average house from my experience. Caravan sites vary as much in clientel as hotels.

mrsurrey:

A man after my own heart. Ive even got a sky dish on mine, and a dishwasher inside. Cant really call that pikey!

Assuming you caravaners have got yourselves sorted and are going to meat (sic) each other, can we bring this back on track?

Can someone tell me when this move to Swanwick takes place, and can they confirm that no new people are being taken in at TC for some time? How long, why is that exactly and would it include experienced controllers?

RD

RD

The move of the NAS FDP system is supposed to be September followed by TC in November I believe, then site closure some time next year.

Of course all this depends on wether the airlines can be persuaded that moving NAS in the busiest month of the year is a good idea!

Not sure if TC are taking controllers (experienced or otherwise) at the moment but I guess it would make sense not to until things are settled at Swanwick.

Don't worry you can still come to West Drayton after it closes and buy yourself a 'luxury' apartment!

Sounds like the epitome of Pikeyness:rolleyes:

Putting in my 10 cents worth:

It amazes me that every unit that is relocated makes the the same complaints. Over the years we've heard LACC staff complaining at moving to Swanwick, then MACC staff complaining about going to nPC, and Spectrum House, West Drayton staff and Kemble staff complaining about going to CTC. You'd think that TC, as what should (!) be the last move, would accept that by now that it is inevitable.
You get the usual grumbles about the unions, the "some of us are putting together a legal challenge" rubbish that wastes time and money! :ugh:
It's happening, and its happened many times for the rest of NATS - get over it. Sometimes we have to make some sacrifices to keep our gold plated Ts & Cs. If you don't like it, find the door.