Starting FSS course in one week!

[reds7000]

I'm starting on the 17th of this month, for the bilingual FSS program. I've studied the heck out of the ITA CD, aircraft recoginition, the works.

I still don't know what to expect. I'm a little nervous actually. I've prepared as much as I can, but I don't like the unexpected. What's the schedule like? Atmosphere?

[flightsimmer747]

Just wanted to say Congrats! As much as i don't want to say don't be nervous, I'm preping for the aptitude test. And i too have no idea what to expect besides the navcan examples.

[reds7000]

flightsimmer, read your PM

[thatdaveguy]

Schedule is Monday to Friday 8-4PM about 70% of the time.

10% is generally 8-4PM then 6-8:30PM...

And 20% is something like 8-Noon, then Noon to 4 everybody does 30 minutes in the simulator. Good study time.

You'll generally study from 4PM to 5:15PM, eat supper, then return to study from 6PM to 9PM.

You'll spend at least 4 hours Saturday and Sunday studying.

Atmosphere depends on your class. Our class was incredibly tight, while others did not get along well. Such is life.

[reds7000]

I've been told the airspace material and the aircraft recognition part in the ITA CD are the most important things to study, to the point where I feel I've neglected a bit of the rest of the material on the CD, even though I've been through it all. I would have liked to go through the CD a few more times.

Also, is it true there's exams relating to the airspace and the aircraft stuff on the first week of classes? I've put so much time in physically recognizing the aircraft, but I still get a few wrong, mainly Cessnas and some of the medium load aircraft as well. Just not clicking well enough for me.

[W0XOF]

You'll generally study from 4PM to 5:15PM, eat supper, then return to study from 6PM to 9PM.

You'll spend at least 4 hours Saturday and Sunday studying.

Geez!!! Don't freak him out! You'll get an idea early on what you'll need to do to study. Everyone is different. I found out very shortly that I only needed to study 3-4 hrs the night before an exam. Some needed more some needed less.

[sigmet77]

Although it has changed since I went through (7 1/2 months training) I am pretty sure I can give you a couple tips.
Study everyday, you don't have to kill yourself but review and/or study every single day.
Use Friday as your relax night, have a few pops or whatever floats your boat.
Find someone to help you if you are having trouble and do it early.
And have fun, NCTI is a great place, you meet people that will be your friend for the rest of your life. Good luck.

[bigfssguy]

Everything your worried about, the feeling of "what the hell am i getting myself into" has been said and wondered and worried by pretty much every FSS to go through the joint. I was laid off when i went through 6 years ago (6 years ago yesterday was my start date) i turned down 6 job offers and gave up my apartment and life to take this job. But guess what....you won't regret it, this is a freakin awesome job.

It is a little overwhelming at first, kinda like your first day in kindergarten. You will likely get to know your classmates TOO well and your instructors too. It's fun though and a lot of people loose site of that. Go there study hard but don't forget to enjoy yourself too. I studied a lot but there were times whe i would go 2-3 days without studying or take a whole weekend off. Go in with an open mind and enjoy yourself remember when your done you'll have the best job with an awesome view!

[reds7000]

Laid off? I thought that didn't happen at NavCan.

For everyone wondering what to study before the aptitude test, this book really helped me out: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/How ... atial%2527

[JonTS]

Regarding the aptitude test training, I've taken 3 of them in the space of 2 months at my local college and obtained the results I've sought out for 5 years, that means since September 2003 when I tried the test the first time. I have that book already and it IS great help. I'm trying to get into FSS myself and find practice DOES make perfect. Good luck! I can learn from the newbies ahead of me what the training is like.

[bigfssguy]

Laid off? I thought that didn't happen at NavCan.

I was laid off from my previous job. Lay offs can happen at NC but very unlikely.

[reds7000]

How much time is there between graduation from NCTI and your first posting?

[GilletteNorth]

Not much... if any. You just finished training, they want you on the job fast... don't expect a week vacation or anything, few days maybe to report to first posting.

[thatdaveguy]

Not much... if any. You just finished training, they want you on the job fast... don't expect a week vacation or anything, few days maybe to report to first posting.

Not true. The shortest in my class was 10 days, longest was three weeks.

[GilletteNorth]

well aren't you a lucky bugger then... I traveled one day from TCTI to Edmonton, spent a day there for 'admin' then was flying north for first posting...

[thatdaveguy]

well aren't you a lucky bugger then... I traveled one day from TCTI to Edmonton, spent a day there for 'admin' then was flying north for first posting...

While that sucks, it's worth asking for an earlier start date than the rest of your classmates. Why? Your seniority starts on the day you report for duty. This gives you 10 or so people behind you in seniority right off the bat.

You may not think it matters...but it's very common to see a seniority bid come out with two people tied for seniority. Avoid that.

[bigfssguy]

well aren't you a lucky bugger then... I traveled one day from TCTI to Edmonton, spent a day there for 'admin' then was flying north for first posting...

While that sucks, it's worth asking for an earlier start date than the rest of your classmates. Why? Your seniority starts on the day you report for duty. This gives you 10 or so people behind you in seniority right off the bat.

You may not think it matters...but it's very common to see a seniority bid come out with two people tied for seniority. Avoid that.

Your seniority starts the day you graduate from NCTI and "officially" join the company. Your always tied with the people of your class. Check the seniority list and your seniority start date is the day you graduated.

[thatdaveguy]

well aren't you a lucky bugger then... I traveled one day from TCTI to Edmonton, spent a day there for 'admin' then was flying north for first posting...

While that sucks, it's worth asking for an earlier start date than the rest of your classmates. Why? Your seniority starts on the day you report for duty. This gives you 10 or so people behind you in seniority right off the bat.

You may not think it matters...but it's very common to see a seniority bid come out with two people tied for seniority. Avoid that.

Your seniority starts the day you graduate from NCTI and "officially" join the company. Your always tied with the people of your class. Check the seniority list and your seniority start date is the day you graduated.

i could be mistaken, but my classmates continuous service dates all vary based on our start date. i know it used to be based on class end date, but i'm fairly sure that's not the case anymore.

[W0XOF]

Article 39.05 ATSAC Collective Agreement explains staffing seniority.

If you are an ab initio trainee, your Staffing Seniority is your graduation date. This is used for seniority bids. Everyone in your class will have thesame date. Continuous Service date is different, it is the day you first report to work. This is the date used for your pension and NOT for seniority bidding.

[reds7000]

What's the checkout rate like? I heard on another forum that they once CT'd an entire class.

[thatdaveguy]

Article 39.05 ATSAC Collective Agreement explains staffing seniority.

If you are an ab initio trainee, your Staffing Seniority is your graduation date. This is used for seniority bids. Everyone in your class will have thesame date. Continuous Service date is different, it is the day you first report to work. This is the date used for your pension and NOT for seniority bidding.

well i stand corrected then!

as for checkout rate, its very good, except for the french classes. they tend to do much much worse.

we had 2 people quit and 2 people CT in our class.

[reds7000]

Wonder why that is? French people having a hard time speaking English, or English people having a hard time speaking French? I've lived 9 years in Quebec and 12 in Ontario, I speak each language 100%.

[KAFUFO]

Funny I've lived my entire life in an english based population and I'm still learning words like "any Conflictions"

pretty ballsy to osay your perfect at anything

IMHO

[reds7000]

I can confirm our class is the last FSS class at NCTI, ever.

[NJ]

Sorry to hear that. However, if you see Chinese food on the cafeteria menu, RUN.