NATS Training College (Whiteley)
 

Hi all,

Was hoping someone who has been through (or is going through!) the college based at Whiteley could provide some advice about accommodation?

I know lots of people do B&Bs/guesthouses etc. so some recommendations would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Sarah Lou, the college admin and/or NATS HR Dept should have a list. The advantage of having the College at Bournemouth was the plethora of accomodation available; not quite the same at Whiteley unless you can afford the hotel nearby.

Which of the hotels? The spa hotel that seems to be around £100 per night or the Premier inn at around £60 per night? :p

From what I've heard most people live in Southampton and commute, it's not that far but you do need a car (and finding a parking space in the morning is most likely not that easy).

Sarah_Lou, when do you start?

Forget the name of the hotel; only went there once for a NATS CEWG meeting.
It's the one where the Red Barron used to stay when he was visiting.

That will be The Solent then.

Gonzo
 

Provisionally November course (obviously depending on the outcome of all the paperwork!)

Thanks guys, I'll take a look what's available in Southampton. One month to organise my life does not seem very long!!

> One month to organise my life does not seem very long!!

One month is absolute luxury!

I can still recall the details of "planned relocation" by a previous incarnation of NATS during my training in the late sixties. I received a telephone call at my workplace late on a Wednesday afternoon instructing me to report to Prestwick on the Friday morning

Having achieved this in the days before full motorway coverage, and in inclement mid-December weather, I was told that I was not expected. It seems that the original instruction was countermanded whilst I was en-route, and in the days before mobile phones ...

It sounds like things have improved!

Regards
NN

There's also Fareham as an option for renting. Fareham will also have a bus service running to Whiteley, so you might be able to avoid the parking issues that way; Solent Business Park is a nightmare for parking! There will also be the train to Swanwick and NATS run a bus service to the CTC.
How far away are you coming from?

One day, after two cycles leave, I returned to work to find it wasn't there any more, and that I had been re-located at my own expense a cycle earlier...but, hey, that's nats for you...

@kimmikins

Any more info on that bus service? I've been told there is no bus service to the CTC so if there is one that would be very intresting indeed!

Do students at CTC tend to house share? I've read how important the group study sessions can be and i'm interested to understand a little more.

Also, just how bad is the parking at CTC?

They're very big on car sharing, I believe, and have limited parking to encourage car sharing.
I'm sure I've read/heard they run a bus service from Swanwick train station, there was a minibus on 2 occasions that I saw. It might be something to double check on the induction day. It's not too bad a walk from Swanwick if you cut through Rookery Avenue.
The regular bus service is the number 28 from Fareham to Whiteley; it used to go to the Shopping Centre, now it stops at Whiteley Parkway and the Tesco store, a short walk from the CTC. Run by First Group if you want to google it ;)

Thanks Kimmikins :)

No problem :) I'm a local, lived in Whiteley my whole life so happy to help if I can! How far is everybody coming from?

Oh you lucky thing! Wish I were local, would be easier... but an exciting new challenge with the move.

I'm coming from Cardiff - but I grew up in Salisbury, so I kind of know Soton area... Whiteley is a mystery, but there seem to be a decent number of house shares available.

Thanks for all the help :)

Things could always be worse, I come from abroad, and people are coming and have come from much further away than me :p

Maybe we can save this thread for general tips about moving and starting at the college? Good places to live, places not to live, transport in the area and so on. There's so much to do when moving in all cases so every little tip is helpful!

Is anyone who has already passed stage 3 interested in a facebook group, rather than cluttering up this forum talking about the logistics of being at the college?

You read my mind! You need member names to add to it though, so if people want to PM me with their FB details I'll add them :ok:

Edited to add: NATS ATC Course 233 is now live on FB.

I can't seem to find it, then again I'm not on 233 anyway so I guess I don't really need to, just thought I'd point it out. I've had troubles when creating a group in the past with it not showing up when searching, not sure why to be honest.