Many were left really perplexed and dissappointed about the comments from Airservices Corporate Affairs (Media/
PR) last week with respect to the delays at Sydney Airport.
It was really obvious that some of those lines used in the media reporting had been 'fed' to the journos, trying to insinuate that there was in some way an organised 'sick out' - albeit of only three people. How this transpired to being 'half of the ATC;s calling in sick, one can only guess - but it wasn't questioned by any journo'. (The clarifications of the facts or denials from Airservices about what had been printed never came - so they must have been happy with the 'stories')
That is the dissapointing side of it - as well as the lack of reaction from the controllers association in quashing that allegation as unfounded speculation and an outright falsehood.
But the really perplexing bit is this: Why on earth would those in Canberra wish to alienate their remaining controllers even further, at a time when an absolutely critical shortage of operational controllers - admitted already as managements own doing - has left so few propping up the system - literally relying on goodwill for these controllers to come in on their days off, week after week - just to keep the airspace open? Why tell half truths to the media just to piss these people off even more?
I just don't get if it is stupidity, incompetence or that they know no other method of dealing with their operational staff but being confrontational and accusatory?