Ideas for a Job.

Scuzi · 23 Feb 2008 at 19:55

shadow4509 said:
The ATCO trainee program looks very rewarding to me and its guarenteed salary, employment and career. I don't have an interest in planes in the slightest but i do have an interest and experience in technology, radio operating and the military. I did notice that it's possible to get postings with the RAF, so Scuzi is there many postings available with the RAF?

First of all, it is not guaranteed employment. Out of the 31 people who started on my course, only 6 are now valid and there are only 3 left still training out of which 2 should pass. That's 8 people out of 31 who made the grade. Some courses have better pass rates, some worse. I'm not trying to crap on your parade but it is the reality of the situation.

As for the RAF, I do believe there are plenty of ATCO positions. The problem with the RAF is that the salary is crap and the job is completely different. You aren't trained to the same standard and the transition to civil ATC, should you ever wish to do it, isn't easy. If you prefer the military way of life, are happy with the salary and want to do air traffic then the RAF is certainly an option and can be a rewarding career. There's a military controller who posts on here (Trick) who should be able to give you more info about the specifics.

shadow4509 · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:00

Thanks for your response. The RAF route was just an enquiry really i have no specific interest in being posted with the RAF but just saw it as another option.

So 31 people were on your course and roughly 10 got through? I take it the others didn't get through because they either dropped out or failed parts of the course? If you pass each section of the course succesfully does this offer guarenteed employment?

Also how did you find the course at Bournemouth?

EDIT: Also how long have you been out of the college course now and how are you finding things?

Scuzi · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:11

shadow4509 said:
Thanks for your response. The RAF route was just an enquiry really i have no specific interest in being posted with the RAF but just saw it as another option.

So 31 people were on your course and roughly 10 got through? I take it the others didn't get through because they either dropped out or failed parts of the course? If you pass each section of the course succesfully does this offer guarenteed employment?

Also how did you find the course at Bournemouth?

EDIT: Also how long have you been out of the college course now and how are you finding things?

Aye, thats right. 3 people dropped out because they decided it wasn't for them and the rest either failed parts of the course at the college or made it to live training and failed at that. If you pass the college course, you will get a posting to a unit where they need you. Once there, you have to complete a simulator course as well as live training varying from between 200-600 hours depending on the complexity and traffic levels of the unit you work at. For most people it takes about 2-2.5 years for aerodrome/approach and 3-3.5 years for area.

If you pass the unit training to validation standard and pass a CAA validation board then your job is secure and guaranteed

The course at Bournemouth when I did it is quite a bit different to what it is now, it was quite a bit longer. It certainly wasn't easy and at times was very frustrating and extremely hard work, especially during resits where you were under the pressure of being sacked if you didn't pass. Besides all that, I thoroughly enjoyed it. You could take your books down to the beach and catch some rays whilst taking in the specifics of radar separation

The social life with the coursemates was great too.

I left the college in November '05 and validated in October '07.

shadow4509 · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:25

Well it sounds like most things in life - if you don't pull your weight your out!

Fortunately on the education and studying side of things i have good self discipline, clearly gained from the army by doing courses in 9 months that would take 2 years or more in a civilian environment.

I'm going to go to the test day on the 20th March and take it from there. Will stay on my current course now at college but if i am succesful on these tests and then the interviews and get offered a place then me and the missus will be relocating to Bournemouth.

Thanks for your input and hopefully i will be picking your brain again sometime in the future.

Scuzi · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:28

Best of luck! Keep us up to date with your progress

MajorMaccas · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:36

I will too Scuzi, don't worry

I haven't booked a test day yet, still figuring it out from work/holiday etc. I believe I have the qualities required, and I work VERY well under pressure, nice and level headed

shadow4509 · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:46

You're going for it too Cyber??

Never know could be on the same course if we both succeed, good luck with your application too mate.

MajorMaccas · 23 Feb 2008 at 20:46

lol, what time on the 20th are you going, am/pm? :rolleyes:

shadow4509 · 23 Feb 2008 at 21:04

Have decided on the am option on the 20th. Going to head up there the night before and stay in london. Had a look at stopping at the Hilton where the test day will be held but it's nearly £200 for 1 night so i've skipped that option and am stopping 1 mile away for £65.

MajorMaccas · 23 Feb 2008 at 21:11

£200! Yeah, if I did the am option I would definitely go there the night before, otherwise I would have to leave at 5am or something stupid lol, and navigate through rush hour traffic!

Still looking at what days I'm off work and what coincides with the test days.

shadow4509 · 24 Feb 2008 at 09:27

Out of interest cyber, where did you see that you get £450 for accomodation?

I read that it was just £60 a week :confused:

MajorMaccas · 27 Feb 2008 at 06:14

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10852178&postcount=9

yaboy · 27 Feb 2008 at 09:27

shadow4509 said:
www.army.mod.uk

It's all you need!!

Ive always considered it.. but what if I lag on the battlefield :/

but seriously thought about joining

MajorMaccas · 27 Feb 2008 at 14:23

I also heard there's no respawn in RL.

yaboy · 27 Feb 2008 at 14:44

Cyberstrike2027 said:
I also heard there's no respawn in RL.

Yeah and you know how bad I am on Battlefield 2 and Counter-Strike.. reconsider?

neodude · 27 Feb 2008 at 15:03

shadow4509 said:
Out of interest cyber, where did you see that you get £450 for accomodation?

I read that it was just £60 a week

Yep, 60 quid a week according to my contract. And the B&B I'm going to be staying in is 100 quid a week :mad:

ci_newman · 27 Feb 2008 at 15:29

If anyone is still looking, my place is hiring for a starter IT position

F355 on the forums can vouch for me

shadow4509 · 27 Feb 2008 at 15:52

yaboy said:
Ive always considered it.. but what if I lag on the battlefield :/

but seriously thought about joining

I had the best time of my life in the Army, and regret absolutely nothing about joining up!

Neoduder - are you on the course now? How are you finding it? I thought about the B&B option but if i'm successful i'm just gonna rent a flat i couldn't live in a B&B for 9 months.

Scuzi · 27 Feb 2008 at 16:17

neoduder said:
Yep, 60 quid a week according to my contract. And the B&B I'm going to be staying in is 100 quid a week

Recent trainees are being shafted with the pay compared to what we got and we thought we were hard off at the time!

By the way, the labels in your sig image are wrong

neodude · 27 Feb 2008 at 16:40

shadow4509 said:
Neoduder - are you on the course now?

Nah, Start on April 4th.

Scuzi said:
By the way, the labels in your sig image are wrong

It's a screenshot from a little sim I mess around with called London Control. You can totally customise the labels but I believe they are supposed to be defaulted to how they look on the real LL FIN. In what way are they wrong? I'll endeaver to change them

*edit* Just noticed. The "stars" should be yellow or hollow boxes. *edit*