IFR or VFR employment situtation in Gander or St. John's

[nfpeanut]

Just curious if anyone can tell me what the situation is in either Gander (as an IFR) or St. John's (as a VFR) for employment opportunities. Is it basically impossible to get training there or to transfer to these locations? or are there regular or semi-regular openings?

[TheJudge]

As I understand it, there is a fair number of internal seniority bids for the gander region each year. This makes it more difficult to get in as a lower seniority controller or ab initio student - but certainly not impossible.

[kevenv]

As I understand it, there is a fair number of internal seniority bids for the gander region each year. This makes it more difficult to get in as a lower seniority controller or ab initio student - but certainly not impossible.

I would question the info you've been given. As I understand it, Gander is not a popular place for seniority bidders. As a matter of fact, the last seniority bid that came out saw no one from outside Gander ACC apply for Gander ACC even though they advertised training for next year. 2 people from within the ACC applied to transfer to the specialty planning training. St. John's tower is not planning any training for seniority bidders next year and saw two applicants, one from outside NFLD and one from Gander ACC.

In contrast, Halifax tower which isn't planning to train next year saw 8 people apply and Moncton ACC which isn't planning to train either, saw 52 people apply.

[nfpeanut]

well I hope you are correct kevenv. I've currently applied through navcan and have been living in alberta for the last 18 years, I had plans of moving back to my home province of nfld at some point in the near future and was curious if this air traffic controller job may be an option for me down there...either via transfer for to complete my training there...Provided I get past the assessment in Edmonton next week. I have no idea if completing training in that province instead of alberta would be an option since I'm living here when I applied. I guess if I get to the interview stage these are questions to ask.

[DeuceEng]

With the regional training, expect to be posted somewhere in the Edmonton FIR. When you qualify at your unit, by contract, it is at least 3 years before you can apply for a seniority bid somewhere else, but since you will be the lowest on the totem pole, expect to realistically wait at least 5.

[TheJudge]

As I understand it, there is a fair number of internal seniority bids for the gander region each year. This makes it more difficult to get in as a lower seniority controller or ab initio student - but certainly not impossible.

I would question the info you've been given. As I understand it, Gander is not a popular place for seniority bidders. As a matter of fact, the last seniority bid that came out saw no one from outside Gander ACC apply for Gander ACC even though they advertised training for next year. 2 people from within the ACC applied to transfer to the specialty planning training. St. John's tower is not planning any training for seniority bidders next year and saw two applicants, one from outside NFLD and one from Gander ACC.

In contrast, Halifax tower which isn't planning to train next year saw 8 people apply and Moncton ACC which isn't planning to train either, saw 52 people apply.

I must have confused Moncton and Gander in that case. My mistake.

[tower controller]

Well here's the situation as of lunchtime today... There are currently 4 on a VFR course for the Gander FIR which is Gander and St. John's Towers. They are approximately one third of the way through.

There is an IFR course starting in Gander late September for Gander Centre, I believe there are also 4 on that course.

There is a seniority bid trainee starting OJT in St. John's within the next several weeks. There is another seniority bid trainee waiting in the wings for St. John's tower but staffing at their current unit is an issue so no firm date there.

There is one seniority bid for Gander Tower but it went in after the bid list for the year and after the course started so a training offer may or may not be sent out depending on the results of the course.

That was this morning, but it's just after 1 now so that may have changed.

take it easy

[rspencer38]

There is a testing session in Edmonton next week?

[nfpeanut]

Sorry my bad...in a couple of weeks...beginning of October for Edmonton assessment session.

[nfpeanut]

Maybe "tower controller" or "kevenv" may be able to comment on this one if they see it...I know seat offerings are based on operational requirements so nothing is ever for sure. But, in general do you know how often does Gander (or St. John's) offer up seats? I'm interested in either IFR or VFR, no real preference at this point. I'm just looking for a ballpark idea. My phone interviewer said he THINKS Gander only offers up courses every 2-3 years or thereabouts, as opposed to Edmonton (where I'm currently living) with 2, sometimes 3 times per year. The recruitment center personnel are very nice...but kind of vague. She mostly just tells me whenever "operational requirements dictate it"...

I really want this opportunity and will take it in Edmonton if I need to and just wait to be able to bid down east, which I'm sure will take AT LEAST another 5+ years from the start of training (if even offered). I just really wanted to be back east after being out in Alberta for almost 20 years so I would much prefer to be in Gander or in St. John's (where I have a home already) than Edmonton. I do not want to jeopardize my potential opportunity though by switching to a region where my chances at the job are greatly reduced. I'm just basically looking for information to make myself feel like I've made an informed decision. The recruitment center I'm sure doesn't give a hoot about my "dilemma" as there are thousands of people waiting in line behind me, but that does not lessen my concerns in my own head. I'm sure I'm annoying the crap out of people with this but it's most likely one of THE biggest decisions I will make in my life, and I'm just trying to make sure I've got all the facts before I decide to switch regions, or just shut up and stay put.

[kevenv]

Unfortunately no one on here can give you the answers you're looking for. If the recruiting centre told you that Gander only trains once every 2 or 3 years based on operational requirements, I would pay attention to it. When they tell you that Edmonton runs 2 or 3 courses PER year, I would listen. I don't take that info as vague at all. The key is getting in and getting a license. After that, worry about going where you want. Some places take a fair bit of seniority to get to, others like Gander, not so much. Of course it is all dependent on whether or not your unit is able to let you go. They can defer you if they are too understaffed meaning that you will eventually be able to go just not right now (they must give you a date if I'm not mistaken).

One of my coworkers was out west working for a number of years while his wife and kids were in Nova Scotia. He spent a lot of time traveling. Another works in Moncton and lives with his family in Halifax on days off. He has a home in both places. I guess all to say, you do what you have to do.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Edited to add:

Whatever you decide, consider this; If you transfer your application to Gander ACC and they run a course, what's to say you will rank high enough in Gander region to get a seat?

[nfpeanut]

Thank you everyone for any advice you've offered, I really do appreciate it. I guess I will just have to put it out of my mind for a bit and let it unfold how it will. And I would like to clarify the recruitment center has been pretty helpful but I never did hear it from their lips that Gander only trains once every 2-3 years, or Edmonton is 2-3 times per year. The person I did the phone interview with told me that this is what he believed. (He has been retired for almost 10 years and does some occasional phone interviews for them). He told me he wasn't sure on that schedule but that is what he thought to be correct...I was just hoping someone else may have been able to confirm that for me. Thank you all for your help and information.

[tower controller]

hey Nfpeanut check your pm's

[nfpeanut]

thanks tower controller, I've pm'd you back.

[tower controller]

nfpeanut nother pm there for you...

[nfpeanut]

thanks tower controller...I've pm'd you back on that subject as well.