ATC IssuesA place where pilots may enter the 'lions den' that is Air Traffic Control in complete safety and find out the answers to all those obscure topics which you always wanted to know the answer to but were afraid to ask.
It is noted in the local Gulf newspapers, i.e. National, Khaleej, etc that the SZC was inaugurated on 14th Nov with the usual plaudits as to how wonderful everything was. The Crown Prince did the 'Meet & Greet" and then went to Dubai for the AirShow.
However, without wishing to piss on the GCAA's parade, it is to be noted that the news sheets did not report that 'whiteys', Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, etc, were ordered to stay out of sight.
Sad, but true. All that work and no respect!!
However, within the GCAA all is not proceeding so smoothly as is reported:
i.e.
The DANS (El Stupido) and his Advisor (Stromboli) neglected to show up for an airspace coordination meeting that he (the DANS) had previously agreed to chair. He and his minder/protector, instead, ordered the new Serco contract representative to stand in for them with the instruction that he (Serco wimp) was only allowed to repeat the mantra “I will refer the matter”. The fallout from this ‘clerical attitude’ being that top level representatives from all the airports wasted a day by traveling to, and attending, the meeting in Abu Dhabi. It is understood that there will be fall-out from this insouciant approach as it will, of course, be reported to higher level by the various attendees.
No explanation has been given as to why the DANS decided not to turn up. Probably "trouble ‘t mill". (Quelle surprise, non!)
To infinity and beyond and, hopefully, back in time for a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut
Last edited by Vercingetorix : 22nd November 2009 at 10:48.
It will be interesting to see if anybody will bring up the sad state of affairs within GCAA's operational leadership during the upcoming ATC Global Middle East conference
due to take place in Abu Dhabi in the middle of December.
Unlike Verci, I am a man of simple means and tastes, so I will slum it with Moet & Chandon NV while I wait for all the bad things to go away
Your comment:- "It will be interesting to see if anybody will bring up the sad state of affairs within GCAA's operational leadership during the upcoming ATC Global Middle East conference due to take place in Abu Dhabi in the middle of December".
I live in hope that someone will.
Cheers
Enjoy the Moët et Chandon but you better buy a case or two as you may well be in for a long wait!
Last edited by Vercingetorix : 22nd November 2009 at 11:39.
I think you'll find that it doesn't matter who the contract manager is, because Serco sold out all their employees just for the sake of a few dirhams.
The contract has a clause which allows GCAA to have anybody they wish removed from the contract without the need to give any reason whatsoever.
How many people did Serco see fit to disclose this rather important bit of information with before they started? My guess is somewhere close to zero.
What happened to all those people sacked is horrible, but don't forget it was Serco who made it possible by agreeing to this clause in the contract.
Hopefully they are helping the poor people involved, but they damn well better seeing as they enticed people to come here, set up families in school, etc.
without any sort of warning that this could ever happen!
Hi Trailblazer
It is clause 5.7 in the contract and yes, you are correct, Serco have never told any Ab Initio of whatever grade about it.
Under this clause the GCAA, as well as being able to have staff removed immediately, can also reallocate Serco staff to other duties as GCAA sees fit. So far they haven't ordered anyone to clean the toilets but it may not be far off!!!
In a competitive ATC employment world a deficit of applications my cause SERCO/GCAA to wake up and behave like civilized employers. The money really isn't that good anyway when you take into account living costs and travel requirements even discounting the intangibles. Good luck in what may be a tough period of transition.
Amygdala1
I'm advised that the DANS aka Pinocchio aka El Stupido reads this site (with difficulty) and has his Emerati Stasi agents reporting back to him as to who they think, or know, each poster to be or is.
Kooki, the embryonic DANS clone, being one of them.
It's not just paranoia. They are out to get you.
To infinity and beyond and, hopefully, back in time for a nice pot of tea, (Lapsang Souchong naturally!) Ah, the finer things in life, the UAE ACC not being one of them.
As an addendum I would refer readers to the Middle East Forum "Bye Bye Dubai" prior to making any decisions as to whether to stay, to go or even to come.
As the say in the Movies "There's some serious sh*t going down".
Can anyone please help, having recently been offered a post with the GCAA, have been following posts with interest. This may not be the correct thread but if anyone could provide further information as to how recent events have affected the unit, and if anyone has a cystal ball what the future may hold there, would be very much appreciated.
This is probably going to be an experience you are not used to so be prepared. Before you even get close to leaving plan for the worst and expect anything, delays, stop, starts, docs lost, lots of money for doc validation, visa problems and delays, contract cancellations at the last minute. Don't break ties, sell your house or your stuff until the very last minute. If you are not used to disorder then get used to tolerating it. Hang on to your passport and plan for a quick departure at any time. Have a contingency plan and tell no one. It's all here in the posts as "grizzled' says.
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