And the ironic part is that air traffic controllers not only supported this strategy, but actively embraced it
What the hell are you basing that one on?
Lodown is correct.
A lot of controllers find it hard to stomach that they don't have the aptitude and ability to perform in non-operational positions... especially leadership positions.
But how many of them will compromise their own values... or at least those that they professed to believe in and may have abided by in the past, to achieve that golden "promotion" to a non-operational position with the same or higher salary?
The Managers were our brethren controllers... they have come from us.
Maybe we should sit down and take a good hard look at ourselves, our work culture, beliefs and values. Because no-one yet amongst us has risen from the ranks and become the Messiah of Air Traffic Control Management... and I seriously doubt that there ever will come a Messiah in Australian Air Traffic Control.
So, the next question is... why?