Madge. Excellent.
Scott.
Yes there are more 'support staff' than ATCO's in NATS. The management ( and I do use that term so very loosely ) decided to get rid of over a thousand engineers and recruit truck loads (loads - Loaded - pun geddit (not you Scott - its a reference to a recruitment ad)).
This, as we knew, will not work. The COTS systems do not exist and we will require most of the engineers and specialists we have to carry through the business plan. NATS is now left with £780M debts and no paddle. Well done UK government!
Seen the trawl notice to go work with Nav Canada? Thats for Prestwick Oceanic being a copy of the Gander system. If engineers and specialists need to go work in Canada for two years (yeah right - 4 years I bet) then COTS its not..... nes pas?