Gutted for you hatemyjob! :(

Really sorry to hear.

Hi Hatemyjob,

I am so sorry to hear that.

xxx

NATS - no new applicants
 

NATS have stated that they are now not accepting any new applicants from after 1st April 2011 and although I applied in February, I've got a bit of an issue now.

Although I applied in Februrary, I completed the online test and then said that I was unable to sit the Stage 1 test until July at the earliest due to final year University commitments and they told me they'd put my applicant on hold and was to contact them when ready to continue.

All Stage 1 tests up to May/June have gone now and I'm not sure if any new bookings will be available in July onwards? Could anyone shed light on the situation?

I'd contact HR Jack....but my guess is your going to have to wait till they start doing stage 1 again....:s

@gazb2 thanks, I did send an email earlier before I posted my problem so hopefully a reply tomorrow. If so I will probably look at alternative routes although it has always been my dream to work at MAN. :uhoh:

@DelayReducer I understand that you have no say in where you are appointed, I think I came across wrong, I mean that in the end I'd love to work at MAN, likelihood of being sent there straight away is pretty much zero.

NATS replied this morning saying that even though all test dates for Stage 1 are booked up to June, I should check incase someone cancels their appointment. This doesn't confirm that new stage dates will be set for July onwards :uhoh:

If this is the case I am likely to think about going through a private company or any other suitable career method.

Personally I don't think going the private route is worthwhile, your far better off waiting til recruitment starts and doing that. If EGCC is your dream then the private route will give you slim to not change of getting there as NATS likes their contollers to be NATS trained so they know they are getting the best. The only way of going to MAN then is to work at a non-NATS airfield and hope NATS get the contract for it and request a transfer. From what I hear though the jobs for non-NATS airports are hard to come by and it's often ex-NATS who get the jobs as their training is of a better standard.

I'm not trying to put you off going that route, but make sure you do a bit of research and go visit many units and find out where they prefer to recruit from (non-NATS units) I'm guessing liverpool will be the closest for that and they are pretty good!

@lemony thanks. I knew that would be one of the main disadvantages of going private - not working at MAN realistically. I have visited Liverpool Control Tower before for the day, spent most of it talking to those in the control tower and downstairs. They said most of them had trained privately through the airport. I shall definitely try and get in contact with them again.

It's just quite a wait now knowing that it is unlikely they are going to start recruiting again until next year at the earliest but we shall see.

It all depends on how you look at it though. I know it's easy for me to say (who is already in the system going to stage 3) but if you compare 6 months to all the years you could be working for NATS, it's really just a drop in the ocean. I know it's terrible to wait (just wait until you're waiting for your stage 1 result!) but looking at the bigger picture it might be worth it.

The best of luck regardless of your decision though :)

@Crazy Voyager: I echo what you say about stage 1 wait - currently wiating it out myself. How long was your wait? full 15 days??

Hi all.

I am wondering if there are any websites that let you take a practise FEAST test for stage 2?

Thanks and good luck to everyone

Nate

Right, Stage 3 tomorrow for me. Anyone know what time we should finish?

@freebird
My stage 1 took 15 days but it has varied a lot according to various ppruners. I think you can just hope for the best really, how long has it been now?

kwagga,
you should finish when, and only when, you have convinced your interviewing board that you are the candidate that they want.

hatemyjob,
so sorry to hear your news, especially as I believe it is your second time at this.
Hope you are going to give it another shot next time. Certainly get some feedback from NATS HR.

Should be done by lunch then.

kwagga,
8am start then, or a late lunch?
Best wishes whatever.

Good luck Kwagga!

All the best for tomorrow and let us know how it goes.

@ Crazy voyager / Tim91

I did stage 1 on 08.04.2011 (pm session) so nearly two weeks today. Well within the 15 days but now beyond ready to know, whatever the outcome.

Quite likely we will hear today - I'm sure that someone, who had had their stage 1 on the 15th, posted earlier this week that they were told they would hear by Friday. My guess is that they are waitng to announce all four stage 1 slots (8th and 15th, AM /PM) together