Who knows? Depends on how much of the savings are dumped straight into governmental consolidated revenue. There have been hefty cuts made to sections that support ATC - we'll be making do with less which certainly isn't going to enhance the service we provide.

Negativity?
 

After having read choice excerpts from the thread, it strikes me that there seems to be lots of negativity surrounding ATC in general, not just in the training process, but also within the job itself.

I'm currently working on a diploma to meet the requirement to apply, so I was wondering if anyone could give me the lowdown on whether or not I've wasted my precious time and money setting myself on this path?

That's largely up to you - like all jobs and organisations there are things that are good & things that are not so much. They are what they are and how you handle them/are affected by them is an individual thing (personality, personal circumstances). Yes, we get restructured periodically, managers obsess with "projects" and government interferes from time to time, but that's hardly unique.

PPrune is an Internet forum - it's where people come to bitch, moan and vent, so needs to be read with that in mind. You don't get people here saying how good things are very often. The training is hard and there is a high attrition rate (historically roughly 50% who start the course fail to attain a rating) - some people have trouble accepting failure and need to blame something, rather than accept that maybe they just can't do the job.

Personally, I've been doing the job (and flight service before it) for 25+ years, still enjoy it and just ignore the bull!!!! (mostly). It's not a job for everyone and no amount of hard work will get you over the line if you can't pull the various skills required into a whole. Be prepared to be flexible and don't expect things to be done the way you want them - you have to fit within a system that has a fairly rigid framework. Not saying there isn't room for individuality (there very definitely is) but there are certain aspects that aren't negotiable.

Ansible, if you don't mind me asking what are you studying? Can't PM you..

Hi Aeon05, I completed my assessment centre in June, have also had reference checks completed. I have been asked to do medical etc but no course date for next year. I understand it'll be mid year at the earliest.

Hello all,
I would just like to share where I'm up to in the process of being selected. This is my 2nd and final shot. With my 1st attempt in 2014 I didn't progress past the OPQ.

30/03/16 - Application submitted
09/05/16 - Online ability assessments
15/05/16 - OPQ
14/06/16 - Telephone interview
My Assessment Centre was booked in for the 21/10/16 however this was cancelled
1 month out due to 'current changes in workforce planning'. I'm now waiting for another invitation which should come within the first 6 months of 2017.
I am very happy to still be in the system and that I have a chance of being selected for an amazing career!

Flight Data Coordinator FDC
 

Hi Just seeIng if anyone knows how to become a FDC and what the training involves? Is the training in the academy like ATC ? How do the opportunities become available?
Thanks

Normally internal application processes apply, most likely a transfer from the simulator support group (blippies).

Tequila, sorry about the late reply, haven't had a chance to get on in a while.
I'm studying a Diploma of IT.
I have a degree from yonks ago, but because it was over 10 years ago I can't use it as an entry path to ATC.
I chose IT because it's a field I'm interested in to at least some degree, and (heavens forbid) I don't make it in ATC, this is an avenue I can at least pursue.

le Pengouin, thanks for the reply.
It sounds like just what you said, there is good and bad in all jobs.
It's taken me a long time to realise this, but now I'm here, it's a lot easier to deal with :)

Tower V Enroute courses
 

Hi Can someone inform me of the difference in the courses with Tower and Enroute?

Is the initial theory phase in the academy similar between Enroute and Tower?

Has someone transfered from Enroute to tower here? How did they find the transition?

Someone mentioned that with tower - you have to make decisions a lot faster then Enroute. Is this true?

Is one Stream more "difficult" then the other?

Is someone able to describe what they believe would be the "common difficult/errors in tasks students would make in training? Eg Enroute - back coord, loss of separation - eg identifying 4th aircraft but missing the 5th

Thanks in advance!

Everyone thinks that at the start. By the time you reach 50 you will realize the amazing career has taken the one thing that you need- your health. Enjoy the 30 years of fatigue.

Mikk
Could you elaborate on this further please? Is this duecto shift work? The job itself? Stress?

mdk2015, I'll second mikk_13. Once you reach early to mid 50s, it really starts to bite. Shift work, especially night shifts. Constant change and training. Added to that, having to be an OJTI. It's ok at first but after training the first dozen or so, it starts to drain.

The rosters are run super tight. You will be required to perform over time regularly. It is unlikely that you can change shifts as there is no one available to change with, so you will miss every major event in your marriage, children or social life unless you know it is coming 18 month is advance and can apply for leave. As far as I know leave planning is rolling and requires 18 month notice because there is not enough staff.

The fatigue comes from rotating rosters like doing a 6am start, finishing work at 1300 and returning to work at 2300 for a night shift. This is legal, I have personally done it many times. It is ok for the first night, but then when you do 0600-1300, 2300-0600 the same night, then again 2200-0600, you will be like a zombie.

You don't realize the level of fatigue until you stop doing it.

To quote the late BFD http://www.pprune.org/atc-issues/121...ml#post1208829
One day you will get a trainee who merely triples your workload.

Hi is anyone aware of what courses will be run for enroute this year?

Hi mdk2015,
The next Enroute course for this year starts in July. After that the next Enroute will start in January 2018.

I've been doing shift work for as along as I can remember. I am all too aware of the fatigue that comes with it.
Despite this, your comments do not fill me with confidence. In fact they make me worried that I've set upon this path with misguided intentions and nothing but misery ahead of me. Is it really that bad?

Hi,

Does anybody have any idea when recruitment for international ATCOs might begin again?

Thanks