Dumas
19th Sep 2002, 21:54
Jo'burg Atc In Trouble ?????????
Since 1994 traffic at FAJS has increased 108%. Staff compliment has increased 0%.
Since 1994 ATNS has been unable to recruit/retain enough staff so as to guarentee a 2 sector approach operation throughout the day. For the last 2 weeks radar west has been closed more often than not.
Sometime next year a new air traffic management system will be installed to replace our ageing parafin driven model. This system (we have been warned by those already operating it) requires staff levels to double so as to fulfil all the functions needed to keep it operational. So what now?
Just to keep the system running as is (frustrating for both ATC and aircrew) we'll need twice the number of people, but instead it looks as if there will be seven less ATC's by the end of April next year.
At present the controllers only get 6 days off per cycle ie 78 days per year. The admin staff (all those people at ATNS head office who make laughable decisions for a living) get 137 days off. We are supposed to get 20 days leave, 10 of which are compulsory. An area controller who's wife is ill with cancer was recently denied his COMPULSORY leave due to staff shortages???!!!???!!! Best she just hang in there and hope to go on holiday next year!
The fatigue resulting from working too many aircraft on a single frequency for too many days in a row has forced 1 controller so far into burnout. One of our last precious few good controllers is now suffering from what can only be described as chronic fatigue syndrome. The man has used his better judgement and has ellected to be taken off active controlling duty. A wise move. Others who find themselves in the same situation don't have the emotional maturity and strength to do the same. There are too many people working who are totally unfit for the job! ATNS still feels, however, that our work is not demanding enough to get more rest time. They feel that any 24 hour period between shifts IS a day off. Look out for the tell tale signs .............. controllers stumbling over their words, repeating an instruction within 3 or 4 transmissions, slightly slurred and laboured speech.
The guys are getting tired.
Add to this the frustration of having to contend with things like the World Summit, the current SAAF airshow (circus) and the misunderstanding of aircrew as to what the real situation is at ATNS .......and you'll admit that the demands on the ATC's are going to become too much at some stage. This is just the tip of the iceberg, for more info meet us at Highflyerz over a drink.......
What are the consequences of ATC's working beyond their capacity? Let's see ......................
Enjoy your next flight and try to help out by cutting us some slack. We'll do our best but we're not supermen!
Since 1994 traffic at FAJS has increased 108%. Staff compliment has increased 0%.
Since 1994 ATNS has been unable to recruit/retain enough staff so as to guarentee a 2 sector approach operation throughout the day. For the last 2 weeks radar west has been closed more often than not.
Sometime next year a new air traffic management system will be installed to replace our ageing parafin driven model. This system (we have been warned by those already operating it) requires staff levels to double so as to fulfil all the functions needed to keep it operational. So what now?
Just to keep the system running as is (frustrating for both ATC and aircrew) we'll need twice the number of people, but instead it looks as if there will be seven less ATC's by the end of April next year.
At present the controllers only get 6 days off per cycle ie 78 days per year. The admin staff (all those people at ATNS head office who make laughable decisions for a living) get 137 days off. We are supposed to get 20 days leave, 10 of which are compulsory. An area controller who's wife is ill with cancer was recently denied his COMPULSORY leave due to staff shortages???!!!???!!! Best she just hang in there and hope to go on holiday next year!
The fatigue resulting from working too many aircraft on a single frequency for too many days in a row has forced 1 controller so far into burnout. One of our last precious few good controllers is now suffering from what can only be described as chronic fatigue syndrome. The man has used his better judgement and has ellected to be taken off active controlling duty. A wise move. Others who find themselves in the same situation don't have the emotional maturity and strength to do the same. There are too many people working who are totally unfit for the job! ATNS still feels, however, that our work is not demanding enough to get more rest time. They feel that any 24 hour period between shifts IS a day off. Look out for the tell tale signs .............. controllers stumbling over their words, repeating an instruction within 3 or 4 transmissions, slightly slurred and laboured speech.
The guys are getting tired.
Add to this the frustration of having to contend with things like the World Summit, the current SAAF airshow (circus) and the misunderstanding of aircrew as to what the real situation is at ATNS .......and you'll admit that the demands on the ATC's are going to become too much at some stage. This is just the tip of the iceberg, for more info meet us at Highflyerz over a drink.......
What are the consequences of ATC's working beyond their capacity? Let's see ......................
Enjoy your next flight and try to help out by cutting us some slack. We'll do our best but we're not supermen!