That is all well and good if you want to think it is 'hug club'. Discount some of the opinions if you wish but don't say you have not been warned.:rolleyes:

Couldn't agree more Plazbot. :ugh:

Looks like they all need to TTFU!

I thought the college was great too until my house mate worked there one day, then the next day security escorted her and 5 of my fellow students off the ASA grounds.

5 out of the 16 student got rated, 4 still work for ASA. You do the sums. But I am sure its better then when I was there right.

This isn't bull, this is the facts. Can't take it, don't apply. Good luck at hug club

Can't take it, don't apply. Now this is the crux of the thing. Lets me start by saying that ATC is the bees shiznizzle. It is a great gig. If you can go to work and ignore/tolerate the kinds of things that have been mentioned in this extreme hijack of the thread, you will be fine. You may find things will grate on you. Read everything in these pages. Not that I went back over the last 1000 posts in it (1018 at last count) but I don't recall there being anything added by current or ex controllers that is not factual. Assess these things and be prepared. There are some great people at most levels within AsA from the sectors and up. Some are not so great, like anywhere really. I think that everything comes down to two issues and one reality.

The issues are inconsistent application of decisions and an employer that will change definitions purely to suit their desired outcome. A prime example of the latter is when the definition of Team was interpreted by the Industrial department as a group of people that usually work together and if you usually work solo, you are a team of one. This had some very real outcomes with respect to roster design and hours that I wont bore you with but that is far from what the original intent was and needless to say, the outcome was bad for the staff.

The reality I mentioned is that there is only one ATC employer in OZ. All of your eggs are in that basket and when you are bonded, it is very expensive to get out of. You can't just kick it in and start working next door for the competition. Rose coloured glasses will fade eventually. It took mine nearly 15 years but they faded. Thankfully I get to play ATC in a whole other Sandpit... literallyhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ies/thumbs.gif

Nick83 that sucks mate, good luck with 2nd round of testing though. I think i was pretty lucky getting onto the 1 nov course. Speaking of which anybody else on that course, and does anybody know how close to the course you get the pre course info???

Wondering who else is on the tower course starting November 1st??

Hello everyone :)

Myself and roommate are currently looking for a third person to share our place/rent with. We live in Taylors Hill and are on course 37 at the academy.

If you're single, on the September course and want an easy move interstate, (avoiding buying appliances or anything really), please email me!

[email protected]

First in best dressed! Living with 2 people already on course would also significantly benefit your chances of passing.

Simon :ok:

future recruitment
 

so has there been any mention of what might happen if in a week time there is a change of government in canberra.

does that mean that courses might be placed on hold or shut down and all courses suspended if there is a change of government.

if there is a new government that starts on the monday following the election.

so all future students may be placed into a holding pattern from next week if there is a change over shift in government.

as there might be a freeze of budgets and spending for recruitment.

as savings may need to be made in the public service.

so all recruitment will be freezed from the 23rd august if a change over is made in government.

No. AsA is not part of the public service. You are either stirring or took retard pills.

training
 

im sure the government has some say what happens down at AsA
doesnt the government control spending, budgets,
controllers salaries
decide on how many atc are recruited, put through traning.

im sure minister for transport (federal) who looks after AsA must have some say.

No, the government does not dictate anything to AsA other than demand a dividend every year. There is some 'approval' required for final sign off of Certified Agreement conditions but apart from that, the Government dictates nothing with the day to day recruitment and training. In summary, the election has nothing to do with anything anybody is reading this thread for.

Bastard son of Work Choices is by far the biggest concern if there's a change of government. Our Dear Leader was much enamoured of the original.

As Sandy says, industrial policy and the occasionally ill-thought out Ministerial directive are the main influence. Board appointments are by the Minister and we're subject to requirements of the Airservices Act.

Quote by le Pingouin:
" ill-thought out Ministerial directive "

Please provide evidence of any other kind of recent times referring to aviation!

I would guess that noise abatement procedures (especially around Sydney) as well as environmental impact considerations may fall under this category.

Edit: The above are examples of "ill-thought out Ministerial directives" as opposed to the "other kind" just in case anyone was wondering what planet I'm on :O

Not an unreasonable assumption atc2020, but no. Remember ASA is not like say the ABC, the police, public schools etc. ASA doesn't get its money from the government, it charges its 'customers' direct, and is required by law to make a profit and give that to the government. As long as the Board and CEO meet (or are seen to meet, or nobody notices they are not meeting) their statutory requirements, they have a free hand, because ASA make money, not cost money.

Plus, it takes a fairly specific number of bums on seats to keep the airspace open, unlike say teachers or police where you can (but shouldn't) provide a lesser service with less people to save money. We are below that number and falling, hence the drive for recruits now.

Twenty or so? Wow that's gonna hurt 'em.

NMorgan, I'm on the enroute course starting 1st nov, from what i understand the tower and enroute do the first 8 weeks or so together

Process
 

Can you outline the time frame process for teh actual training. Is all the training done in Melbourne or only the theory side.
Thanks for the info, I am doing the testing in 2 weeks and just would like to know if successful wha tthe process is from there.

study material
 

Does anybody have an old copy of the maerial you use prior to starting training that they would be willing to pas on or copy. It goes so far as to saying I want to be prepared for what I am getting into without to many surprises.