How many times they used the 'I don't recall' line. this may turn up on mainstream news.
Makes you wonder, don't it. That session exposed a little more than the 'general' ignorance disconnect, and is more akin to general denial and not being 'responsible' more than a simple "Dunno". There are I expect, many questions which an individual, running an operation cannot answer, that's reasonable – BUT – that individual should, without hesitation be able to identify the person who can provide a lucid, concise answer to a reasonable question and be responsible for that answer. It's delightful to watch the consternation as a question, to which a 'work-shopped' answer cannot provided is asked. Funny as. The word disingenuous is used far to often to define this troop of arrogant clods by their claim to 'general ignorance' and 'confusion' (the new buzz word). "We wuz confused M'lud"....Bollocks.
When you watch the video for the second time, it becomes apparent that the Senate crew have a very clear picture of the disconnect between a smooth talking creature like Clark, aided and abetted by a Doctor (who needs to count, on his fingers, in ones, to work out who was at the meetings he chairs) and the coal face. Watch the video, "Well, that's Umm one (thumb), then there was Um, that's two (index finger), etc. all the way up to the really big numbers between four and seven. Redefines the old joke, Grow your own dope – plant a Pom.
You see, LAHSO ain't the radical, root cause, if you like; of a deep, systemic failure based in greed and cover your arse. Pilot command discretion is slowly being diluted, the responsibilities and onus increased to protect the middle layer of parasitic management. ATCO face the same problem, only it's more obvious and without the pitifully few 'escape' clauses pilots may rely on. If a pilot and controller 'negotiate' a contract for a LAHSO operation, that should be the end of the matter; provided it's within boundaries set by common sense, sound operational practice and arbitrary recommended limitations. Cast in stone limitations are an anathema – legal at five knots of breeze, in jail at six knots, is rubbish.
The ATCO is chained to a treadmill; they know how to manage the traffic, know where and when 'discretion' may used and how much to use; but the ass covering 'rules' prevent this. They also know precisely where the red flags are and what they mean. They also, in all probability know exactly what's wrong with the system and how to fix it. Enter the dragon.
A suggested fix must be passed 'up the line', if it's any good, it will be hi-jacked for kudos but the responsibility for the idea will remain hidden, until something goes pear shaped and it lands on the head of the original 'sugestee'. Same with deficiencies and flaws within the system: ATCO puts in an alert, taking their own lives into their hands, for woe betide anyone who dares rock the Staib boat, the courage badge will not protect from AFP investigation. Anything like a complaint hits management filter 1 and much of the 'guts' of it are sucked out there. The complaint has entered the first disconnect, between the original intent and what filter 1 want (or need) it to mean. No matter, the now crippled complaint is kicked up the line to the next management filter.
Now filter two is interesting – for here the cast and crew are specialists in emasculation, intimidation and earn points for smoothing the waters; for here overseas trips like a month long, all expenses (credit card supported) holiday in Paris; or a nice little week in a Texas casino (using the card) are the rewards for massaging any form of 'alert' into a minor irritation, fit for 'little' board consumption. Filter 2 extracts reality and sells the finished product to the elite market of filter 3. "No sir, there are no problems, we are on track to make another 100 millions this year". This activates filter 3.
Filter 3 is located in a rarefied, other word sort of atmosphere and it's where the god like power, so desired by the lower order resides. The 'little' board reports to the big grown up board (filter 4) : "Morning all" says Angus, "anything of interest this month?" "Oh no Sir" gasps the gushing, wing wearing minion: "just some minor, technical issues which the little board has, smoothly and efficiently dealt with". "Oh, goodee" says Angus, "lets sign off and then we can all get back to the great works, philosophical contemplation and, perhaps 18 holes before beer-o-clock".
And so the humble suggestion, made at the coal face is filtered, the reasonable complaint is neutered and those with the temerity to actually speak up are intimidated into silence; if not by having one's 'courage' badge shoved into a fundamental orifice, then by the boots of the AFP metadata spooks.
Mind you, even if all this ever gets past filters 1 to 4 and anywhere near the surface; there is the CASA oversight circuit breaker to pop, which protects and fosters the government goose, laying it's golden, trouble free eggs, ever fattening those privileged to gorge on the product.
Like Nick X – I have a great respect, admiration and affection for our ATCO coal face boys and girls. That they manage so well, in such a toxic unholy atmosphere is a testament to their skill, dedication and commitment to efficient, safe aircraft movements. It's a tragedy that they are forced to live and work under the management of filter 3. Don't believe me; watch the video, carefully, for it tells it's own story, far more eloquently than I ever could. Let's all hope NX can open the filter by-pass and let some fresh air and light into the dark, subterranean caves of the ATCO underworld.
Now then, who's for Paris or perhaps Texas?. The only requirement is to wear your 'courage' badge and use your card, but only to the maximum limit to which you are entitled. Wings? – well perhaps not, some may see a pair of decorative wings pinned to your right tit as an insult to those who earned them, the hard way. But hells teeth, if what you are doing now don't offend, a pair of faux wings just don't signify. Anyway, symbolism is not an exact science and not really proven to work. Believe it if you like.
Toot toot..
Badges?