Busy
Findo,
The over riding problem is that we lack the necessary number of Certified controllers to always split off sectors when traffic dictates so we are forced to work everything.
The majority of larger facilities have arrival and departue fixes, departure and arrival controllers, final controllers, a satelite airport controller, and monitors. At the typical ATC-7 facility (fromerly Level III approach control) you have none of the above.
What you do have is usually no more than two radar controllers working all the traffic in and out of your airspace, primary airport and satelite airport and over flights.
Last Friday we worked 768 operations (our average is in the 600 range), by large airport standards that isn't that much traffic, but you have to remember that they have up to 7 scopes staffed compared to just our two scopes. In case your wondering we do have 3 other radar scopes that can be used but we don't have the controllers to staff them.
If a safety aduit would help improve procedures or resolve staffing issues, then bring one on, but note, that during our last full facility evaluation we received a score of 98 out of 100, and also received National ATC-7 Facility of the year (2000).
Mike