Originally Posted by
Ratatat
3 controllers rostered for a night shift is the norm and has been for 15+ years.
This is not solely an ANS, or any other ‘non NATS’ problem.
This is not the first time Gatwick has been closed for periods overnight due staff shortage in recent times but it is the first time it is due to tower shortages.
It is all too easy to have a pop at the smaller ATC providers but staff shortages are a problem all over the UK, including NATS, and are unlikely to improve for some time.
This.
I'm assuming chevron is retired by some of his posts. To assume that NATS are immune from this is naive - they've done just as just cost cutting as any other ANSP over the last 5 years or so.
Services unavailable due to staff shortage - whilst not common - do happen from time to time at all units. Yep it's not really acceptable but it happens.