Uncontrollable controllers in hkatc
Recent cases of abuse have highlighted the need for a firmer control of the Hong Kong air traffic controllers. They have no discipline and generally act like irresponsible boarding school students. They refuse to show restraint and continue to abuse the roster by swapping duties with colleagues to attend family gatherings, BBQs, parties and other irrelevant activities. This kind of abusive conduct makes administration very difficult. Additionally, we are once again going to hear the usual complaints about fatigue caused by working the “4 days on – 1 day off, 5 days on – 1 day off pattern” during the Bad Weather Season. In Management we work 5 consecutive days every week - yet nobody ever hears us complain about fatigue! Furthermore, the controllers are complaining they don’t get enough annual leave. It is possible that a very small number of individuals do not quite get their full leave entitlement each year, but Management have kindly arranged for the overflowing leave to be converted to TOIL - as a temporary measure, of course. Thus, extreme measures are taken to help the controllers keep the hours for their future benefit, but nobody values the efforts of Management and childish complaints can be heard every day – pathetic! Shift swaps without valid reason and requests for leave from controllers are never-ending. Staff has frequently been reminded that shift swaps are concessions provided by Management and not a God-given right. However, the controllers simply refuse to accept this and disrespectfully keep swapping. Therefore, Management intends to issue a revised Admin Memo to stop abuse once and for all. In future, shift swaps will only be allowed in the rare case of the documented death of a close family-member.
Due to its professionalism and dedication, hkatc Management is less popular in atcx than Osama bin Laden in Manhattan, but still remains committed to always doing its best to improve the controllers already excellent working conditions. Management is fully aware that there are talks about the number of “sickies” going up in the near future, but let us firmly remind controllers with rebellious thoughts in mind: we have you all well and truly by the testicles and will not hesitate to squash them like grapes if so required. Don’t forget that Management decides who gets leave as well as promotion and has several other clever ways of making “difficult” controllers cooperate.
None of the controllers in Hong Kong appreciate the inhuman pressure Management is under, the difficulties and stress caused by dealing with irresponsible factory workers who constantly complain and think of nothing but partying, shift swaps and leave. Nobody fully appreciates just how demanding it is to be a Manager here and having to remind staff to be more vigilant when things have gone wrong.
Management often gets accused of overdoing it when we congratulate ourselves for a job well done - should something actually go well in hkatcx for a change........! But let us face it: nobody else ever gives us any praise. So we reserve the right to congratulate ourselves every now and then.
Meanwhile, you can all rest assured that Management will remain proactive, vigilant and professional at all times and is committed to remaining white and pure – even in this glass of dirty ink.