Violent air traffic controllers threaten passenger safety | Global Travel Media
Workplace outbursts, drinking, threats and other incidents among air traffic controllers have implications for passenger safety, whistleblowers fear.
Queensland’s Sunday Mail published at the weekend details of documents released under Freedom of Information laws, which it said had disclosed “65 critical cases of misconduct since June 2010 – 16 against air traffic controllers”.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon called Air Services Australia was a deeply dysfunctional organisation responsible for safety in Australia’s sky.
Serious cases exposed by the paper included:
An traffic controller who swore and threw a mug down a control tower stairwell after seeing the Christmas roster.
Another controller sent to counselling after threatening violence against a fellow worker.
A head-office worker sacked after the reasons why he took leave became clear. He took leave to go to jail on three counts of indecency – and he was facing a further 19 criminal charges.
A worker forced to apologise to the general manager of safety and to retract inappropriate comments after sending him an unseemly email.
A rescue worker who had been seen drinking alcohol during his lunch break resigned in April 2011 after refusing to take a breath test.
A worker was found to be sleeping on the job numerous times.
The Air Transport Safety Bureau has ordered a review of Air Services Australia after too many close calls in the air. The ATSB confirmed that staff culture was a main factor being investigated.
Written by : William Sykes