Reduction in frontline Air Traffic Controllers?

[Shitsu_Tonka]

Perhaps Mr Smith can devote some energy to this one?

You may remember this media release in early March this year:

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/media/press_releases/pr.asp?id=pr3_06

Part of this read:


Chief Executive Officer Greg Russell said the restructure was transparent to airline and airport customers with no impact on the provision of air traffic control, aviation rescue and fire fighting or technical and engineering services.
-----------------
"This restructure process is subjected to rigorous safety analysis and is being scrutinised by the Safety Regulator

That was a nice bit of spin to alleviate any concerns no doubt.

As this is a rumour network - the latest on this 'restructure' (what a lovely un-speak word!) is that the next 'phase' is to reduce the number of Air Traffic Controllers by 20%. This is while numbers are apparently already short on what is required.

It's only a rumour of course, but one wonders what the reaction will be - and what the spin will be this time.

What is most entertaing if this is true is where these numbers will be cut - and who will decide amongst the in excess of 20% who want to jump ship on VR as retirement beckons anyhow! One wonders if the new executive has been sold some 'magic beans' in the way of what new technology promises - and what it can deliver, and most importantly, what it is 'ready' to deliver, safely - and proven.

Interesting times - no pushing at the Exit signs people.

[tobzalp]

LOL. There are stacks of guys that coupled with the new super changes will be all over this. As usual however, in 5 years, we will be recruiting like nothing else due to shortages. This of course will happen after TFN leaves and has ruined the joint just a bit more than now. Sigh. The sooner the govt realises they are in for some trouble with this GBE and buys us back, the better. Then again, one fool for another.

[No Further Requirements]

I reckon that they will battle through this lack of controllers they have at the moment with overtimes/ADs as it will cost less than training the required amount of new controllers.

Then, once new technologies are upon us that will reduce manning (especially full procedural sectors), the aging workforce will have retired and they won't need to sack many, if any at all, saving a little face and, I'm sure, a nasty union confrontation.

Anyway, an interesting topic.

Cheers,

NFR.

[Shitsu_Tonka]

I question how much is riding on the 'magic beans' - apparently TFN is a strong advocate of what the boffins in the lab are cooking up. As anyone who has had to work through a system designed purely from an engineering perspective will attest: they see things differently! Not that there is anything wrong with that. I just think that some of the 'spin' on what can be achieved to the bottomline of ASA (profit alert Dick!) may have been 'coloured'. Example: one major regional carrier in Australia has apparently already opted out of the fitment costs for ADS-B. No doubt with the airline/aircraft operator bottom line getting squeezed by fuel, not to mention MacQuarie Airports and it's boardroom full of ex-politicians, the ancilliary cost of fitting new equipment to their aircraft may be uneconomical for the as yet indeterminal cost-benefit.

So what happens then? Unless a lot of aircraft are excluded from massive sections of airspace, the major benefit of ADS-B is lost. Mixing various track types will not allow ASA the magic bean of reducing their staffing costs - with a view, remember, of getting more money for the Commonwealth from the airspace users. If you think the application of the technology is simple, just have a look at what happened to Capstone in Alsaka last week.

ADS is a fantastic bit of kit, with immense potential and from a pure aspect of safety is a massive leap in surveillance capability. From a political aspect it is horrible - and anything with so many vested interests is going to be very political. (Notice that there has been very little talk of low level ADS-B coverage, and the talk of subsidised ADS-B fitment from SSR replacement has dried up?)

I wouldn't be buying the big campervan just yet guys and girls.

[Elastigirls_Lover]

What or who is 'TFN' ? What happened in Alaska ? Is Brisbane going to Melbourne ? Will ATCs who survive this next perceived 'cut', have a job for say, another 20 years ? Is the next EBA really going to end up being an offer of controller AWAs on say 20% less salary ? Is the union losing relevancy ? Are the extra fees worth continued membership ? And why do dogs have black lips ? The board of directors have so many questions...

[Shitsu_Tonka]

What or who is 'TFN' ? What happened in Alaska ? Is Brisbane going to Melbourne ? Will ATCs who survive this next perceived 'cut', have a job for say, another 20 years ? Is the next EBA really going to end up being an offer of controller AWAs on say 20% less salary ? Is the union losing relevancy ? Are the extra fees worth continued membership ? And why do dogs have black lips ? The board of directors have so many questions...

TFN: Two First Names
Alaska: Capstone - got 'capped' (read the various ADS-B threads, or look at www.avweb.com)
No.
No.
No - ironically, the Libs are making the unions more important. Thank you Comrade Andrews.
There are no extra fees - do the maths.
UV Protection?

[Elastigirls_Lover]

nice :) - bit sad about no job for 20 years but. Back to uni then, ya ?

[keepemseperated]

No.
No.

****su, just wondering what the thinking on this one is?
- fully automated ATC,
- no kero,
- pilots that are happy not be number one,
I agree that technologies may bring about reductions in numbers, but none at all within 20 years, not sure about that.

[Shitsu_Tonka]

I think the kero will have more impact before anything like automation happens. When you seriously think about it, it is just far too complex and expensive to do it completely , to a standard that will convince the users of the system that it is 'at least' as safe as the current system.

The level of automation we already have has regular technical failures - that are 'saved' by the humans to keep it all going.

[Shitsu_Tonka]

Announcement rumoured for tomorrow (Thursday 25 May).

[IMHFO]

I heard tomorrow - Friday 26MAY.

and here's another TLA - what about FLN - Five Last Names (in a lifetime - so far).

The way things are going Dicks damage will be dwarfed by this....one little mid-air..............................

[SM4 Pirate]

It all makes sense, drop a Friday arvo salvo...

I understand there is a number; but there isn't any science to support that number yet, just 'big' gut calls. So ratther than send the ATCs into crisis mode, don't mention a number, just saying we know there will be reductions.

Numbers may not be talked about until "a highly paid consultant" writes a report with the answer they want in it, completely justified of course. e.g. each VFR flight will save $2.37 per flight thus NAS delivers $100M per year in savings, sure!