LH2 asked :
Could you please give a brief description of that single-man operation stuff for non-ATC types like me? Perhaps on a separate thread to avoid cluttering this one up even more.
In a nutshell :
In almost all large ATC centers in Europe there are 2 equally qualified controllers sitting on a busy position ( mainly a radar sector) This is following the ICAO 4 yes principle and is based on years of data, to ensure maximum safety and high capacities ( i.e number of aircraft that can be safely handled though your sector )
Single man operations concept is basically having a single controller in a working position, under certain conditions.
Those conditions are variable : there can be traffic level related ( e.g at night, when the predicted traffic fall below a certain figure ( say 10 a/c an hour) you can remove the second person and one controller is alone, or you have it sector related ( that particular sector will be open from say, 15:00 to 17:00 ) with only one controller per position . You can put a procedure in place where the Supervisor (if he hold a valid licence ) can act as the second man in case traffic raise above what was predicted.
But it can also be structural : you replace the second controller by an Assistant , someone who is not a controller, but that can help with telephone calls, etc..)
This last option is done in places where you have a serious lack of staff and not so complex traffic ( good example is Norway, who does this ) .
This last option is very cheap, as the Assistant is someone off the street that can be trained in a few months , has no licence and does not bear any direct responsibility with regard to traffic, as he/she works under the full responsibility of the controller.
That option is looked with great interest by everyone as it will allow ANSPs to reduce overninght their required ATCOs numbers and be much cheaper on the process , ( less training times , less salaries for the Assistants )
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Norway I beleive started this concept some 15 years ago. It was followed by many centres , especially during Night ops, while some others, like Zurich used it even during the day , until Ueberlingen came . That stoped it .
Now Ueberlingen is 8,5 years ago ( times flyies isn't it ) and AENA has said would love to re-install the concept with better rules . They call it " monosectores " If they get they way, the concept will definitively be revived elsewhere.