Glad to hear things seem to be moving forward even if somewhat slower than people would like. I have a couple of comments:

Don't blame NATS Recruitment Section for the delays. Just like the rest of us they only do what they're told. The decisions that have effected course start dates have been made elsewhere and, knowing NATS, were probably made at the last moment.

Regarding the negative impressions left by Down Ampney's posts, please accept my apologies. As I hope you'll know by now, DA's attitude is not indicative of most working ATCOs. The majority of us recognise that we desperately need new controllers and that this is not the way to encourage the right calibre of people to come and work in the profession. I am assuming from his location that he works at Swanwick so that may explain some of the negativity and cynicism. However it does not excuse it.

Enjoy CATC.

Weselfluren - Am thinking of publishing a cookbook during the time I'm waiting to start @ CATC, hate to think of you all starving.

WX Man - Cheers, will look forward to receiving your text, tell me, can I get the train from EBBR and if so, how long does it take and how much please? When are you home again so we can have a proper vocal catch up?

Fly Bhoy - Chin up mate, promise I'll get down to see you sometime soon to drown your sorrows!

Everyone else - I personally can't wait to move to Bournemouth, keep hearing how fab it is from pilots who've done ground school down there, as well as from ATCO's who look back on their time there with fond memories :yuk: (That was the closest one I could get to portray getting drunk....)

But, seriously, I can't wait to get training, although I made friends with Fly Bhoy and Crewman so we could all share digs down there, and they've been moved to Jan 04 :( Any new friends starting October would be greatly appreciated!

MR XxX

Well after a couple of false starts I'll be on the Oct course too. Already got a couple of friends who moved to Bournemouth last year and they're really enjoying the place so I'm not worried on that front.

MR - I'm pretty sure I'll be looking for my own flat seeing as I'm pushing 30 and have done my fair share of communal living in the last ten years (oh for a fridge of one's own!). Still, you're all welcome to come round for dinner (there's at least one guy who can cook for himself out here).

Anyone else out there who'll be joining MR and myself?

Oh goody, someone else with culinary skills - that takes the pressure off..........

Know what you mean tho, I've never lived in a shared house in my life and find the idea pretty daunting, especially after having my own place for a number of years. But then I never went to uni so I've missed out on all the 'joys' of communal living, and won't knock it too much till I've tried it!

MR XxX

MR/Von et al,

As far as I know I'm STILL on the Oct 2003 course,although judging by whats been siad so far I'm waiting for NATS to tell me I've been pushed back too....I feel a call to recruitment and some gentle harrassment coming on tomorrow morning.
Anyway,assuming I am still going to sunny Bournemouth,more than happy to share.I too am rotating rapidly towards 30,but as I've already got a whopping mortgage to pay,sharing seems sensible I reckon (much cheaper if nothing else).
To all those who got bumped off July's course,I feel for you guys but hang in there...it will all be worth it in the end!:D
777

Ah ... fond memories indeed......

Women - http://bffc.net/icons2/dilemma.gif

Study -http://bffc.net/icons2/beach.gif

The Morning after the night before - http://bffc.net/icons2/sick.gif

College Instructors - http://bffc.net/icons2/worthy.gif

Nights out - http://bffc.net/icons2/band.gif

Clubbing - http://bffc.net/icons2/clapbounce.gif

Pub lunches - http://bffc.net/icons2/burger.gif

Drinking in moderation - http://bffc.net/icons2/serve.gif


Hardly seems like a month since I was last there !!!!

Some things obviously never change !
Applied December 1983,
Started at CATC April 1986.

I've been reading this thread with interest,

I'm also supposed to be on the Oct03 course. If the Jul03 course is canx and moved to Oct03 then I guess its just a matter of time before i'm told to not turn up until Jan04:sad:

All those worrried about reaching the wrong side of 30 don't worry as I passed it many moons ago...Just hope the delays don't mean I will be celebrating a 40th:}

At the moment on the Oct course ,will keep you posted on the outcome... a chat with HR I think is needed.

The Fat Controller has made me feel slightly about my 'apply July 2001 start (all being well) October 2003' position.

Just found out I'm gonna be staying in Bournemouth overnight on Saturday 17th May, courtesy of my current employer :ok: Any of you lucky enough to already be at the college fancy showing me around the decent bars??? :p

MR XxX

Better still, right... let's organise a Grand P*ss Up in Bournmouth some time. I'll see if any other MUAC students want in. I suspect they all value their livers too much, however as someone whose name was entered on the liver donor's register at the age of 18, I'll definately be up for it (not on the 17th May though).

Might be time to start a 'PPRuNe bashes' thread for this one?

Further bad news. I understand that NATS is considering buying some of the training system that Eurocontrol uses. This will require the college instructors to learn the new system which may require two courses in 2004 to be cancelled as well whilst that training is carried out.

On a plus side they reckon this will increase the overall success rate to validation. A case of swings and roundabouts if ever I saw one.

I don't see why that's a bad thing. As someone who has very recently finished the course in Luxembourg I can say that the theoretical part of the training is top-notch.

The practical side of the training I think they are in the process of tweaking. I think Maastricht's Training Section now have a lot more input into the development of the students training in Luxembourg.

Any idea which 2004 courses are likely to be pulled?

MR XxX

I wasn't suggesting that the purchase of the package from Europe was a bad thing, just that it was likely to lead to even more delay for those who are waiting to start.

MR, No I don't.
XxX

Knowing my luck its undoubtedly going to be the Jan 04!!!:confused: :( :confused:

FB

Poor FB!!! :( A sad chemist FOREVER!!! :{

I still think you should come and get a bar job down in Bournemouth and be a kept man on my trainee ATCO salary. You supply the alcohol, I'll cook. And you can wash up. How's that?

crewman phoned from his workin hol in the South of France - didn't have the heart to tell him some 04 courses may be canx, think the shock would kill him :uhoh:

MR XxX

MR

Is that "sad"-unhappy or "sad"-pathetic?!?:) :confused: :)

And it seems to me that I'd be putting a lot more into our relationship than you (both supplying the alcohol and washing the dishes:hmm: ) so I'd be looking for a lot more on the side, so to speak!!!;) :D ;)

Besides, with the amount I drink I think I'd be likely to last maybe a week in any bar job before their profits go right down the drain!!!

Anyway, I hope that any cancellations in '04 would have been planned for and thats why they've stopped recruitment just now...to allow for a gap in the number of people waiting so as to train the trainers on this new equipment. They surely wouldn't reschedule us onto the Jan '04 course to then reschedule us again nearer the time, would they?!? I think that would p!ss a lot of people off!!:* :ouch:

FB

Why, sad ''unhappy'' of course! ;)

I presume what you're getting at 'on the side' is that you'd like to copy my notes too??? :p

I thought you were getting a pretty good deal myself...........

MR XxX

Just got letter this morning with the bad news that my Oct03 course is reduced in numbers and re-scheduled. Not for Jan04 as I expected, but end Mar04!!!!!:mad:
If they are considering canx any courses in 04 I too hope they have accounted for those who have been messed around or they will find people looking at other options.

Anyone know the contact for Navcanada?:sad:

Ahhhh MR...such a typical female response there.

Just cos I get my food cooked, doesn't mean i'd be getting a good deal!!! After all, I could get that at burger king!!!!;) :) As for copying your notes.....is that all thats on offer?!?!?:p

45 before POL, I thought that would happen. I presume that everyone who was meant to be on the Oct course will be put back to Mar '04, but i'm hoping that the courses to be canx will be the Jul and Oct '04 ones, and not earlier. I hope that what they'll do is get everyone who's waiting right now started and then do the instructor training, and thats why recrutiment has been stopped for a few months, to provide the necessary gap.:confused: :suspect:

FB