Maybe because it's a monopoly ;)
Trust me - it doesn't get much better once you're in. Apart from doing a fairly interesting job and being well paid (for now..if they find a way to get computers to do it, they will. And believe me they are working on it!)

The aviation bubble is running flat and I'm not entirely sure if it's going to pick up in the near future. Probably more likely to dip further before it goes up again.
Historically, pilots were the chosen ones. Over the decades they've gone from rockstar status to glorified bus drivers to being just a cost to airlines!
I see the same happening with ATC. In the past higher demand for air traffic generated shortage of ATCOs and therefore the great working T&Cs we've learned to enjoy. As supply starts to exceed demand (and it's happening) ATCOs will go, just like pilots, from being the star of the show to being a... drain on corporate resources!

Best of luck, lol sorry about the gloomy forecast. I hope I am wrong.

LEGAL TENDER: well, your comment is certainly not in the least enocouraging for those who aspire to become ATC's (i.e. me!) , but no far from the truth, I guess you are in a way, right. May I ask, are you an ATC?

Very honest and very true statement made by LEGAL TENDER. Unfortunately that is the way it is nowadays.

As the wait continues, I've just sent my next round of emails to handling agencies at MAN.

mts1, I sure am. Have been in Nats for almost 4 years now.
If I hear anything that could be of interest to future trainees I'll pass it on. Some of you guys sound quite sensible. Good luck

legal tender: thanks, I'm sure everyone would appreciate some news of our concern.

Happy 2012
 

I'd really appreciate that Legal Tender. I'll let everyone know as soon as I notice an offer for Stage 3 dates too!

Phil

Good luck guys
 

Hi all,

Just reading through the last couple of pages regarding when NATS start applications again. Although I don't have any info on when this may be I can only imagine that once the backlog of students have finally validated at their units (especially at Swannick) in my personal opinion NATS will again start hiring. There will always be a need for ATCO's regardless of computers in the near future so even though you may need to wait a while I would highly recommend still going for it.

I'm now going through training at my unit after going through the selection stages twice and then waiting a year to start college and if I had the chance to go back and change anything I wouldn't.

@Sahl - The DLP is material that get sent to you before you start college, if you haven't got a date yet then it's likely it hasn't been sent to you. There will be a multi-choice test to complete at the beginning of the course. It's nothing too difficult but gives an overall appreication.

Good luck guys, keep going! :ok:

Hey, I've visited this site a few times but this is my first time posting. Just thought that I would let you know that I too am awaiting a Stage 3 interview.

I originally applied back in December 2010 thinking that I would be near finishing the application process for my gratuadion, had stage 1 test in April and stage 2 test in July. I'm pretty much in the same boat as Sivx, I was told stage 3 would be in September, I emailed them at the start of October and they said January but their website was updated in December to say that this would now be February, very frustrating.

I have since graduated in the summer, and got a part time job at the minute which is enough to keep me going but I would love a career, so I'm asking myself do I wait for NATS or do I start applying for Graduate schemes.

For all those looking to apply I have to agree with MTS1 that there seems to be quite a backlog of applications that NATS have to deal with and it could therefore be quite sometime before they reopen the application process to new candidates. Like Phil I will let you all know if I hear any more about my Stage 3 date, hopefully the re-opening of the application process will soon follow.

And Phil best of luck with you Stage 3 interview whenever it finally does come.

Brand new to the site I was going to apply to NATS this year but after reading all the posts I don't know if there is much point.
I have a couple of questions
Almost everyone i have seen saying they're waiting next stages say they are from england is there any chance that preswick's test centre would be more reliable ?

Would a better route be to go to the RAF and train as an air traffic controller there ?

thanks

deveed411: When applying for NATS, it's not a question of doing so at different places, such as England or Scotland but just to NATS. They have branches all over the UK and it is not possible to restrict your application to certain centers (Without prejudice of being able to be tested at the center you chose, but that's a completely different kettle of fish.). All the centers are united, and do not work independently in what recruitment is concerned.

About RAF: it's not a matter of it being better or worse but about your preferences and likes. If what you mean is if it'll be faster to become and ATC through RAF, it depends on their current situation which I am currently not very aware of.

Yes thankfully the Scottish bias hasn't reached NATS yet.

Even though you're from Scotland, you'll have to wait like everyone else.

So, with the February NATS statement fast approaching, what are we expecting them to announce?

I can see at best, the continuation of training for people already started on courses and also dates been made available for people waiting to book stage 2 or 3 perhaps. It does surprise me that HR is holding back whilst in the other active NATS thread they are talking about people leaving and staff shortages.

I have an interview tomorrow at Manchester Airport for PSA position so hopefully a perfect time to get my foot in the door and not worry about the demises of politics within NATS.

Soo, how was your interview JackRaslton?

New Struggler
 

Hii Ppl,

Well m new to this thread and jus wondering if anybody could suggest me how to start the preparation for NATS , any books or online preparation that could be useful.

Reply would b really greatful

thnx!!

Start by reading the last 60 or so pages of this thread, there's enough links and suchlike to get you well along the way

Then, learn how to spell and format words correctly.

I suspect at most (if a positive statement), that they will continue the courses of those who have already started and allow people waiting to book a course, to do so! It just seems times are still tough and they can't take any risks on recruitment (at least not for the majority of 2012).

To keep myself busy, I've now got a job as PSA at Manchester, so training starting in March.

Well done that man.
Is that a 'Passenger Services Assistant'? If so, what does that position involve these days, and who are you working for?

ZOOKER - Thank you, yes pretty much, it's "Passenger Service Agent" and it's for Swissport (recruitment through Premier Work Support). So it will be check-in, general help to pax and also gate boarding. Contract is only temporary until October but they have told us that last year when they recruited, they were all offered full-time contracts at the end of October which is something I am seriously considering to gain more experience, I hope to cross over to Dispatch at some point.

Hope you have a great summer. You will learn a great deal, which, will always be useful background knowledge when you (hopefully), make it as an ATCO. I spent many a happy 'fatigue-break' on the apron at EGCC taking pictures of aeroplanes. (Cost a fortune in Kodachrome). All the people I met were really friendly and helpful. Don't forget to put any 'FOD' in the appropriate bin, - every little helps.

JackRalston: what is it that makes you think that they seem to be still having a tough time as far as recruitment is concerned?. Thanks

P.D: I wish you the best with your new job!.

Thanks Zooker and mts1. I shall enjoy it very much.

Well my reasoning behind what I said about the next statement is simply my opinion and my opinion only so obviously don't take it granted. You might want to take into consideration that I was informed tonight by a controller at BHX that he believes NATS are considering recruiting ATCOs again from next month....so I guess the simple and easiest thing to do is "wait and see".

it's February already - hurry up!! :sad:

Doubt about working conditions
 

Hello... I have a doubt regarding working conditions given by NATS and I would like very much that any controller or student, who knows it, answers me. In NATS webpage Benefits - NATS Air Traffic Controllers Careers, when they say that "your salary will rise to £42,061* - £46,878* plus shift pay of £5,543*", I would like to know if these values are net or gross. If this is a net salary or a gross salary...
I think that these values should be net, after taxes have been paid, because otherwise it seems to me ATCOs aren't so well paid.. I see engineering positions offering 45000£ gross salary with only two or three years of professional experience and I think that ATCOs earn much more.
I look forward to hear from you soon...

Hello...
In NATS webpage they say that after validation the salary of an ATCO is about 45000£ more a shift allowance of about 5000£. I would like to know if these values are net or gross... Is this a net salary or a gross salary... I think that they should net but I would like to have an answer frm someone who knows about it such as a controller or someone else.
I look forward to hear from you soon...

definitely gross, 40+% to taxman!

Clearly someone who doesn't understand tax.

The figures are gross, but then all salary figures are as individuals have different allowances etc. The salary you will get post validation is roughly the same for each band, the difference between band 5 (top) and band 1 (bottom) is only around £3,000 initially.

For example, for a band 3 unit, your post validation salary will be just over £40,000 including the shift allowance. That is a gross amount. Take home pay for an average UK tax payer will be £2,500 a month (£30,000 per year net), less anything you pay into the very good company pension. That's an effective tax/NI combined rate of 25%, not 40%.

You remain on this amount after validation until you have been with the company for 3 years (from the start of your training). You then go onto the full ATCO pay scale, again at roughly the same point for all units. Again, for Band 3 this is around £56,000 per year gross. Again, take home will be around £3,300 per month net (£40,000 per year net) before any deductions such as pension etc.

You then get length of service rises each April until you reach top of the scale for your unit band. Band 5 rises much more quickly than Band 1, and quite a bit quicker than Band 3. If you do nothing else a Band 3 ATCO at the top of the scale currently will earn around £75,000 gross.

This annual rise is not cost of living, it is a pay increase. Cost of living rises are separate, where awarded, and negotiated generally by the union.

Well, feel free to stay in the Banana Republic that is Portugal then mate. Are you sure your government will have the money to keep the lights on, never mind pay controllers a decent wage?

We've been here before.. :P Anyone heard anything? I haven't yet.

Phil

NATS interview process
 

Raincheck for all. Doesn't look like good news fellows

How come? NATS website still showing December update, stating February update to follow.

Jesseladrian: What new news do you have??. I have just had a look at the page and still the old update remains...

Here's hoping for some positive news really soon!

tick tock tick tock....

Still awaiting the statement on the NATS website. Seem to be getting mixed views on what it could say, I'm hoping it is positive so to finally get rid of the backlog, but it won't effect my decision, i'm putting it all on hold for a few years.

bugger.....

After today's disappointing announcement, I'm of the same mind as you, Jack - I'm putting it on hold. I expect a number of recent university graduates will all do the same.

Tim91

Yep, I kind of expected this but didn't at the same time having heard internally they had been told it would likely reopen. I start training for PSA with Swissport at MAN next month and hope to take that full-time or even move over to dispatch eventually. It is difficult for a lot of graduates now, I know the pain!

QUICK POINT - just checked the website and it seems that statement has disappeared? it's reverted back to the December one.

EDIT: Just as I constantly refresh, it's changed to the latest February one :D

Why is it the update is dated as the16th when it has been just today that the new announcement appeared on my browser?. And by the number of comments, it seems as if I am not the only one...

EDIT: Is anybody even capable of telling me if this is a normal behaviour by NATS side?. Or is there something just not right?.

I would assume they had their review on the 16th, but didn't put it on the internet until the 20th.