As correctly stated above we are about 41 ATCO's below agreed full manning levels. The Deputy General Manager recently stated in figures to the NATS board that "assuming we have a 66% pass rate of trainee ATCO's this winter we will do summer 2003 with one LESS ATCO than this summer(2002) after retirements and resignations are factored in". Those figures are now in the public domain.
Not yet official but 99% accurate are that up to 20 Terminal Control ATCO's are currently in the interview phase with NAVCAN of Canada. As of last week 7 have been offered positions and are mulling their decisions. At least three ATCO's at LACC have indicated their intentions to me to leave within the next 12 months to persue other careers.
Still at least those of us who are left won't get bored!!!
