SLF3: I don't have the exact PSS numbers, and some dispute them, but the consensus is that at present we need between 380 and 410 controllers to be able to operate the Centre at full capacity at all times. Therefore to be 40 short on that is 10pct or more.!
The only reason the figures look better next year is that we are shelving off half the North Sea Sector to Scottish Control and Manchester are taking on another large piece of airspace over N Lincolnshire. This reduces the requirement for bodies at LACC.
Just remember: "Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics!!" You can make the numbers look as good as you like to get PPP through or open a Centre 'on time' six years late (and get a bonus), but the fact is that there are not enough bums on seats to operate the Centre at its published capacity, nor have there ever been. Those who told the Select Committee that we would have a surplus were either misled by their lower management or were, how shall we say to avoid libel, economical with the truth. Those same people have just been paid bonuses totalling close on £300,000!!!
Now we have the new senior management sitting before another investigation and unable to answer the simplest of questions about the day-to-day running of the highest profile facility in NATS. 'Computer Weekly' has a better grasp of what's going on than he does!
