Old and Bold ATCOs
 

I started my ATC career on No.3 Cadet course back in 1963 and although I retired from full time ATC in March 2010, I still hold a current CofC at a busy LARS unit and work part time to cover leave, sickness and other requirements. At the ripe old age of 67 and after 48 years in the job (enjoyed every minute!) I would modestly lay claim to being the oldest validated radar controller in the UK - unless, of course, anyone knows better. I'd be interested to hear.

Geez, do people live THAT long? :)

In Poland ATC license expires when you turn 60 and there's nothing you can do.

Ask me again in about 15 years. If I can retain a medical that long.

I figure I'll be able and willing to retire at around 75. Maybe.

58 and still going - though they do need me on the roster. It's the drive to work that will cause me to pull the pin

Old Bold and Sharp
 

Hello Leopilot...congratulations.
Nothing can beat experience especially in an emergency.
Being sharp and bold while being old is the name of the game
I am 36yrs into ATC and another 4 to go. I wont be able to beat you
but I certainly respect and will remember your record.
Hope your management took good care of you.:ok:

I too enjoyed every minute, but I retired at 58 to spend more time with my wife. DON'T work your life away; life is for fun, not work. You've no idea what might be chucked at you, as I have found out.

Leopilot
 

As usual, wise words from Heathrow Director.

Let me tell you a sad story. One of the Watch managers at LL moved into Ops when he was about 57. At 60 his job was advertised, but the 2 or 3 applicants seeking the promotion that would come with the post were not considered suitable. Derek agreed to stay on and boasted that he was the highest paid ATCO in the land, he had taken his pension at 60 and was still receiving ATCO1 salary. Because his father was still alive in his 90s, perhaps DH became complacent. He finally retired at 65 and died a year later. Some retirement!

Leo, I don't wish to be rude, but I think you need your brains tested; what are you trying to prove?

ATC is a young man's game ( and girl's); I always felt that operational controllers should be looking to give up in their early 50s. Management should have filled the supervisory and office posts with guys who had done their 30yrs at the coal face, not the young brown-nosers that seemed to want to pack up after less than 10 yrs on ops!

Retirement is great,time to do what you want,whenever you want! There's a host of interesting things to do after work.

The other aspect of working on past 60, is that of depriving youngsters a chance to get on the bottom rung of the ladder. In other words it's selfish to keep going.

So, come on Leo get a life!

Not everyone has the choice to retire early or move into non operational roles.

Leopilot - good on yer, I only hope I'm still capable when I reach your age.

Leo

Well done.

Remember 'HI 1970 Jersey Airlines Heralds, BEA and Cambrian Viscounts and the Morton Herons to Alderney? No SRATCOH in those days, my record 56 1/2 mile SRAs in a 14+ hour shift. Good old Uncle Nat', may he rest in peace, never found out if he found a way of taking his money with him!

I'm down to 8 days before the big "R", ATC is no longer the fun it used to be, off to spend the kids' inheritance, cheers!

Hmm, Brian, things to be said for both sides methinks.

I was lucky insofar as a realisation that I was the Official Old Guy on the Watch (both in age and I think timeserved at LL); a move to the new VCR; and my wife's job turning to a bunch of arse all conspired simultaneously to make us think seriously about our future. I have no doubt that I retired too early (53), because I did miss the job itself for a long time and still have good memories of the overwhelming majority of my workmates. Financially, fings could be better - but that's true of everyone. My belief that the world doesn't owe me a living has supported me, and I've found a new interest in teaching. So even being 58 isn't a barrier to working if you want to.

Different strokes for different folks I guess - but teh enjoyment of life is far more important than what you do during it.

That's the philosophy class over with - I'll get back to gazin' at me navel now; Tara.:O

Hi Leopilot,

You have my admiration for reaching 67 and still being a radar controller. I certainly wouldn't, or more probably couldn't, control at 67. But you have a 5 year head start on me.

My ATC career began in Australia in 1971 and ended in Hong Kong in 2005, with many other locations around the world in between. Now, however, I wouldn't trade retirement for anything, even money.

Spending time with family and friends is far more important now, combined with a lot of travel, but not on too many planes now, had enough of ultra long hauls for several lifetimes, thank you.

But, Leo if you're happy doing part-time controlling then more power to your elbow and I for one won't challenge you for "oldest controller in town". I will admit to being "bold" in my time, but luckily got away with it!

On the beach (and staying here) :)

Leo

As for the oldest in the Uk, you are probably pipped at the post by the guys at ATC Lasham. I believe that at least one is into his seventies, still with a valid rating for a '424 - takes you back doesn't it?

Leo congratulations on your long career!

For those that think that us older controllers should retire and go away, yes we need to keep an influx of new blood coming into the system, but we need us older still working controllers to pass on our knowledge, skills, and insights so that you younger controllers become not mediocre controllers but good controllers.

Since I retired I've completed one ATC contract in Afghanistan and I'm about to leave for another contract at one of the NATO bases. Yes, I'd like to stay home and golf and fish and be with my family, but with the current economy eating away at my retirement I can't afford not to work.

<<As for the oldest in the Uk, you are probably pipped at the post by the guys at ATC Lasham>>

Yes, Freddie must be heading towards 80 I'd have thought?

(Edit.... just spoke to AC. Freddie is 77+)

Malcy isn't that old, is he?? :E :E :E

I pulled the ejection handle at 57 (still do air displays but not as ATC) but well done to those that keep going. :D

Well done Leo for loving the job so much that you just can't give it up (I don't believe the pay motivates you). You'll have to keep going for quite some time to get to the record books though.

You may have a point about old ATOCs/bold ATCOs.
Freddy Frost undeniably has a few years on you, but although he is still doing the ocasional SRA its not quite like a busy LARS. Old, but perhaps less bold. I feel sure I remember there being an octogenarean controller up north, but can't for the life of remember where now.

I'll bet there are also busy GA aerodromes dotted around the country with old and bold ATCOs still in place. I think Frank Winch was well in his 70s when he finaly lost his medical at the then "4th busiest aerodrome in the country".

48 years in air traffic - perhaps you should write a book:} the old Lasham boys are doing another LHR nostalgia night tonight and there are just so many stories that need to be preserved.

Do keep going though - it sets the bar for us youngsters to aim for:D

How old was "Ash" at Sywell when he packed in?

Hi Leo
 

Is that really you . . . as in . . . Leo M of " Titanic " fame ?

Keep taking the pills and for goodness sake enjoy it while you've got it . . whatever IT is .

Cheers
99:cool:

Oh . . . and anyone know if Ronnie B is still around and practising the art ?

(Lasham maybe)

ex colleague from LL

99:cool:

I wonder how many of us oldies still believe we're giving 110% when the reality is somewhat different?
Did nobody else here cringe when, in the dim and distant, you were rostered with one of the then oldies?

Eurocontrol boots Controllers out at 55, though there is a possibility to soldier on until 57. I lost my licence on medical grounds, sleep apnea, although I would have been allowed to carry on just doing my Supervisoral duties. I didn't think anything was wrong as I didn't even note i'd dozed off for a few seconds but now believe it was an unfair strain on those round me.