Applying for Air Traffic Service

[marvin34]

I am thinking about the application process for ACC. As it stands, financially and other circumstances, I am not able to start my training for at least a year in which there would be a very nice window of opportunity for me. This is my question:

If I start the application and assume I make it to a point where I am offered training, can I "pass" on the training and still be eligable to start at a later date. In other words are they Okay with me saying "Sorry sir/madam, I am not able to train right now, but let me know when the next opportunity comes up in X months".

[KHills]

I would not recommend it. You may decline a training offer, but there will be no guarantee that you will get a call again before your application expires.

What Region are you in?

[marvin34]

I am in the Winnipeg region.

[KHills]

sorry, dont know what courses are running in that area. does anyone else know of any upcoming course dates in YWG? if you dont mind waiting for up to a few years, I would delay the application so you can be sure you are ready to accept when the time comes. Then again, the training offer will most likely be at least several months from now and possible a year from now or more so if you apply now, the timing might work out just fine.

[high speed exit]

My advice would be this... if you get an offer, do whatever you have to do so you can be on that course. Borrow, beg, sell your car, whatever. End result, it's a year sooner to a proper salary over whatever you make now, and that's not counting pensionable time either. You never know if an opportunity will come again.

Best of luck to you!

[robshelle]

I will argue with the above poster a bit. I been an ATC for 15 years, and in the last 2 years I have instructed a few of the Basic VFR courses in YEG. If you are not ready financially, or emotionally, it will be a huge distraction from your training. Basic ATC training is probably harder than any schooling that you have done, university included. Out of 10 students that I was honoured to teach, we had to cease train 2. One was an easy CT, very defiant, and thought they knew everything, wouldn't take a lick of constructive criticism to change. The first CT though was very tough. She worked hard, and tried hard, always practicing in the simulator in her off time. Unfortunately, she was a weak trainee. I fully believe though that we could have got her successfully through basic training if wasn't for some unfotunate circumstances. She had set up everything so that for the four months on course, her finances, living arrangements, and outside activities were squared up. However, immediately before the course started, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she had to get new living arrangements, and now had to work on the weekends. This added a lot of stress, removed free time in her schedule to study, practice or whatever. If she had delayed her course start to the course, I honestly think things would have worked out much better for her.

If you honestly want to make ATC your career, start the application process now. Make sure you get your medical (better to find out now if you can't hold an ATC medical). The application process does take time, and I know of many controllers who had to go through it twice. Worst case scenario, you are successful and are offered a spot very quickly, before you are ready. I don't the people in Winnipeg, but here in Edmonton, the manager of training would much rather you tell her that you would like to be deferred to the next course, then start before you are ready. Back in 1996 when I was offered a training position, I wasn't ready(just got a job flying DHC6 for Borek, wanted to get twin experience before I was sure I wanted to gamble on a career change), and NAVCANADA did defore my course for 6 months, and I did not have to reapply. If you make it through the selection process, we want to give you a shot, talk to the manager, I'd bet that it won't be a problem to defer you.

Robbie Benusic
CYEG Tower