1st Stage...
 

Hi all, this isn't your usual first stage question but it was playing on my mind. I was 18 yesterday and so applied to Nats. I have always wanted to become an ATCO and have spent many days of many weeks at LTCC working in the training section as volunteer work / work experience with people such as Al Murray and Alan Cuthbert with plugging in the ops room a frequent occurance too etc. Likewise I have made several visits to both Luton and heathrow control tower's.

My question is, my parents are planning on coming with me. Now personally i don't have a problem with this, they say they want to support me as its always been my dream. However, i too don't have a problem making it by myself, after all I am a "big boy" now and don't have any issues with going it alone.
To the point, finally, would it be frowned upon by nats personel if my parents were around, or even in the vicinity of the process? The last thing i want to come across to people is that im a "little Lamb" being guided, but they are only trying to be supportive....

any comments?

Kind regards,

Sam
TC

Sam,

Very probably there will only be one NATS person there, the ATCO. The others are from a Recruitment company who have a contract with NATS. It certainly won't be noted on your application that your parents were there!

While there's nothing wrong with others being present, they won't be allowed to be with you whilst you are taking the tests, so they'd have to sit in the hotel foyer or somewhere similar.

Hey Sam,

We met when you were on Work Experience at TC last Octoberish!

Just wanted to say good luck with the interview process, you've put in a lot of hard work thus far!

Hope it goes well!

I don't see anything wrong with it, my parents came on my first day...

oh no that was school, my mistake! (Just kidding)

Isn't it time your parents started to let go and support you from afar? Just a personal opinion.

I happen to agree with you all, thats why i asked!! :) Many thanks for all your thoughts much appreciated! Nice to know they are supportive however, bless 'em!! :D Someone else, yes i remember! :D Many thanks for your words of encouragement! :D

Cheers to you all!!

Sam
TC

I'll be going up to Manchester to sit my first test on the 17th September... my mate wants to come with me for support. Having divulged that, I was just wondering how long the test actually takes... just so I have an idea of how long he'll be sitting in the foyer :)

Cheers all :ok:

Phil

Good luck!
 

I think the fact that your folks are there to show their support shows how important this is to you. Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure David Becham's folks went to his try outs with him.

Sam, as the others said, it won't be a problem, and I doubt anyone will even notice.

Phil, the entire stage one takes about half a day. I was on an afternoon slot, had to be there at 1.30pm, was out by 5pm. Morning slots are 9.30, and I would assume they are out before 1.30 when the afternoon people arrive.

Good luck to both of you!

Cheers aerotech, it's the afternoon slot for me.

Best of luck to you too Sam, I'm sure you will do fine. I would agree that it is a really good thing for your parents to be that supportive. I doubt it would be frowned upon as well if they're there, the more confident you feel, I imagine, the better you'll do. :ok:

Phil