BD
the three things I mentioned just happened to be the latest 3 things to hit the Ops room, it was by no means an exhaustive list.
The two new airspace changes have not even happened yet, but they do not enhance the operation (N601 from a TC perspective - it has merits from an AC one). In fact N601 actually makes the TC Mids controllers job more difficult!
As for the move from WD - lets see:
VCCS, only just recently became stable after 14 months - but we still cannot cross couple more than 2 frequencies. As the very fiorst person on the day of opening to get hit by a VCCS failure, it's a pretty sore subject with me.
Radar screens - BARCO displays regularly flickering (not nice to witness when controlling) - according to engineers they are not allowed to purchase the expensive digital graphics cards that would solve the problem because of cost, therefore instead they are going to try other inferior cards.
Headsets - poorly designed, expensive flimsy rubbish.
Even down to the nitty gritty of domestic issues...
Carpet tiles that don't stay stuck down - may sound silly but a health hazard and looks a mess.
Still no colour screens for stack displays.
Seats that are uncomfotable, but again was the most expensive choice - despite feedback prior to the move that they were not ideal.
The WD move was a sucess in that we moved and we stayed, but it's far from perfect.
Do I prefer the working environment I now find myself in - of course - by miles, but I don't walk round with rose tinted glasses. If something is good, I acknowledge the fact, if something could be better, I make a noise about it.
NATS is first and foremost about air traffic CONTROL. Safety is paramount. Since when was good enough, good enough??