Originally Posted by
le Pingouin
We're trained to say "no" to many things if it will or may increase workload to a potentially risky level, doesn't matter if you're VFR or IFR. Direct tracking, tracking inbound across outbound routes, block clearance, airwork in the middle of arrival routes, etc & so forth. Not because we're lazy but because we have to be on top of the traffic & can't risk things getting too busy.
Of course every time someone gets a “no” it costs someone money, or in this case the ATSB has stated the “no” was a factor in the death of two people. I wonder if management at ASA collect data on the number of “nos” generated by their employees or just collect bonuses for cutting numbers of employees.