S.N.A.F.U.
As one pilot remarked when told couldnt get a clearance due "operational requirements" said: "so, does that mean you are short staffed'' and got the response "I can neither confirm nor deny that"
ASA arent just pulling the wool over the airlines&pilots eyes but a whole giant goulburn-esque morino ram's worth.
I hate that NOTAM 'due operational restrictions', its just a smidgin away from a full blown lie. It just reads ASA in full arse covering, she'll be right, mode. Just own up, show you've got some cajones, and then fix the problem.
But then, sh1t doesnt roll up hill so it will probably be the controllers' fault that there arent enough controllers in the company....
Do pilots realise they could be flying through airspace (thats not been notam'd TIBA) and the voice they hear on the other end may not even be a controller (its normally just a manager
), let alone a controller rated for the sector in question? Scary, and one of the reasons I drove from BNE to MEL and back last week
Maybe ignorance is bliss, it wouldve saved me from 5000kms of driving.....
rant over........................................................ ............till next time........................................................ ............................