Positive Attitude to "new" NATS : Unsustainable?

[BEXIL160]

Some thoughts about my own personal experiences at LATCC recently. Do youfeel the same, or differently?

I had high hopes for the "new" NATS. I had hoped that a new Owner and fresh top table team would learn from the errors of the old management team. I had even tried to be optimistic here at PPRuNe.

It is exceptionally disappointing to have to write that the existing NATS management ethos remains firmly in place, together with all it's old values and attitudes towards it's operational staff. Specifically they DO NOT VALUE the operational staff (ATCOs/ATSAs/ATEs) and have NO INTENTION of improving communication with them.

No, the existing management appear to be pre-occupied with hiding the fact that we (still) do not have enough staff. There has been NO visible appreciation of the flexibility of the staff that are available, despite the stress and fatigue that is becoming apparent (to all but management, that is).

I have experienced implied criticisms that I, and other ATCOs are "being difficult" when we refuse to raise flow rates ON SAFETY GROUNDS.

I have seen a junior ATCO berated by a manager for calling in sick at short notice. This is absolutely APPALLING. The ANO requires an ATCO who is ill to refrain from exercising the priviliges of his/her licence.
That a NATS manager should even question this is VERY POOR.

If you are reading this Mr. Everitt, I, like many others in your company wanted to give you, and TAG, a chance. I am depressed that SO LITTLE has been achieved. You made a big issue about communication. IT ISN'T HAPPENING.

The 100 days aren't up yet, but the clock is running.....

Anybody else got anything to add?

:( BEX

[letMfly]

I agree wholeheartedly Bex. When TAG did their "meet the staff" propeganda tour, I was left with the impression that they didn't really have a clue as to what they had just bought. God help us all when the 100 days are up. The night of the long knives is approaching!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Mr Simple]

I even heard that one unit is so penny-pinching that they have withdrawn everyones MATS Pt1 because they want to save the cost of buying amendments!! Would never have happened when I was in charge.

[ATCO Two]

Heard today that all projects put on hold apart from NERC, (this includes NSC - so much for "Airspace" article!). Watch managers' budgets suspended, familiarisation flights suspended, liaison visits suspended. Significant drop in revenue from lack of transatlantic traffic - (44% of NATS income). No noticeable difference in European traffic at my Unit though. TAG looking for cuts of 2000 out of 5700 NATS staff. (PPRuNE gets a mention in "Airspace", by the way.)

[250 kts]

Let's look on the bright side though-we've still got "AIRSPACE". It's a good way to save on bog rolls. ;) ;)

[Bright-Ling]

MMmmmmmm

what a great idea - stop Mc Nerc as there is so money. Then in years to come when it gets busy again, its too late!

Sound familiar!????

[BEXIL160]

All very valid points, but what I had intended to highlight was the frustration felt by many that a Golden Opportunity is being wasted.

For a LONG time the way NATS has been "managed" has been a disgrace. The methods and ethos have been shown to be poor. If NATS was a Hospital Trust I have little doubt we would be on the "Failing" list. Only the operational staff have kept it going.

Along comes PPP (which I opposed bitterly), forced thru by Tony's cronies, and we have to make the best of it. TAG are full of promises which sound good so maybe it isn't gonna be so bad after all. Maybe we'll even get rid of all those who got us into this mess in the first place.

But NO. Communication is as bad as ever. The staff are no more "on board" the company than this time last year. The management are starting to use intimidatory tactics (see my post above and "sinister developments", by M40612: Both events really happened).

Tired after a busy, messed around summer? Yes I am. In a cooperative frame of mind? No, I can't say that I and my colleagues are any more.

Mr. Everitt, you have to get a grip on thisNOW before NATS really goes downhill. Us and them is a distinct possibility, not good for ANYONE.

Rgds BEX

[Cuddles]

I worked in the NHS before joining ATC, and thought that the management there left a lot to be desired.

This lot leave everything to be desired, they make the NHS management teams look slick, efficient, and well organised by comparison.

RENATIONALISE (Now what looks like the best option of a bad lot?)

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: