NATS Flag

[Moldioldi]

i have it froma well informed source that Swanwick is to get a flagpole so that the RAF have something to salute when they arrive in earnest next year! Not to be outdone NATS wants its own (for ATCOs to salute?). Anyone got any ideas for the design. Fimbles stripes are of course a rebranding requirement - imagine looking at those in a strong wind.:eek:

[DC10RealMan]

I heard it from an impeccable source that we were going to have something that has been proposed by the Kim Jong Il management consultants based in Pjongyang of North Korea. At Swanwick we are going to have daily military-style parades prior to going on shift where the workers can parade in front of and sing the praises of the "Dear Leader" whilst holding aloft copies of the "Pulse" staff magazine edited by Comrade Professor Pangloss. This ritual will be performed while singing the new NATS anthem "Death to the capitalist reactionary running dogs of the pension fund" culminating with a slow march past the lunchtime diners at the Swanwick canteen whilst chanting that "Some diners are more equal than others" (to paraphase George Orwells Animal Farm)

[BDiONU]

The flagpole at Swanwick has been a long time coming. When the military at Prestwick got one NATS had to have one as well otherwise it looks like the place is owned by the military, same thing applies at Swanwick.
I'm just hoping its not a fimbles theme flag otherwise in any kind of wind epileptics might have a problem :}

BD

[TheFox]

Or they could save money and just use a civil air ensign.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Civil_Air_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/800px-Civil_Air_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png

[Moldioldi]

Corporate Communications don't have 'saving money' in their vocabulary.
Have you seen their designs for Christmas cards aaand what they tink are suitable corporate seasonal gifts!:ugh:

[anotherthing]

Colleagues (sic),

Long live Alstom, sorry, I mean NATS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22070327@N06/2126107027/


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj235/pbarronnats/NATSFlag.jpg

[rab-k]

Wouldn't worry about it - we've got 2 new flag poles up here and only the RAF use theirs.

Nothing has yet adorned the other, (that I can recall), be it an official flag day or any other day.

I suspect if we ever get such a thing it'll be the NATS logo on a white background, without stripes...

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/rab-knight/Flag-1.jpg

Besides, colourful striped flags mean something else, don't they...

http://www.spc.edu/Images/PRIDE/Castro%20Pride%20Flag.jpg

[anotherthing]

Rab-k

The thread title was NATS flag :E

[Ceannairceach]

Jolly roger?

Not an invitation btw.

[Radarspod]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, there was a NATS flag at Spectrum House for as long as I was there until it closed. Nobody seemed that bothered.

[hold at SATAN]

Spectrum House HAD one, and that fine. They want to spend(waste?) money and install one. No doubt NATS will pay well over the top prices for a piece of cr&p! Maybe management are getting it ready so that we can raise the white flag of surrender once they've shafted our pay, conditions and pension!

Comrades it's time for REVOLUTION!!!!

[BDiONU]

Spectrum House HAD one, and that fine. They want to spend(waste?) money and install one. No doubt NATS will pay well over the top prices for a piece of cr&p!
Prestwick has one. Swanwick will have one because MoD have wanted a flag since Swanwick opened. Once they have one NATS will have to have one otherwise it would look like the site was owned by the MoD, which West Drayton is, hence no NATS flag there.
No doubt NATS will go out to see whats available from industry and Supply Chain will haggle a very good deal (as they generally do).

I do wonder about the fuss. The military folks will have to wander out twice a day putting theirs up and down whilst saluting, the NATS one will just be there and its not as large as those banner things hanging over the North & South stairwells.

BD

[A I]

Hi Beadie,

I take your point about site ownership but in truth who cares? If the MoD want to fly a flag then let them. Why should NATS have to follow them just to show that it is our piece of soil. If there were to be a sign at the gate saying "RAF Swanwick" or similar then that might be different.

On a slightly different tack, what flaggery was displayed at the RAF stations which were used by USAF. Upper Heyford for example. (and Greenham Common for those with really long memories!!)

A I

[BDiONU]

Hi Beadie,
I take your point about site ownership but in truth who cares? If the MoD want to fly a flag then let them. Why should NATS have to follow them just to show that it is our piece of soil.
Cause its about 'territory' and 'ownership'. Like dogs peeing everywhere to mark their territory ;)

On a slightly different tack, what flaggery was displayed at the RAF stations which were used by USAF. Upper Heyford for example. (and Greenham Common for those with really long memories!!)
RAF ensign because they were, technically, RAF stations.

BD

[Dances with Boffins]

As Swanwick isn't an RAF station, why do the RAF there get a flag? They wouldn't have one if they were at any MoD site...

Just tell them to salute the big propellor instead.:}

[Lurking123]

'Cos its just like your psycadelic lines. Something to do with identity, spirit, ethos, brand etc etc.

[rab-k]

As Swanwick isn't an RAF station, why do the RAF there get a flag?

If the Prestwick example is anything to go by, you'll find that the mere presence of the RAF will create an "RAF Swanwick", in much the same way as you have an RAF Prestwick wholly within Atlantic House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Prestwick

The RAF Ensign occupies one of the two flagpoles outside Atlantic House, (the other being presently unoccupied), and a plaque outside the section of the building occupied by the RAF states "Headquarters Royal Air Force Prestwick".

No probs at all with the arrangement here, so can't see why there might be any at Swanwick to be honest.

[BDiONU]

If the Prestwick example is anything to go by, you'll find that the mere presence of the RAF will create an "RAF Swanwick", in much the same way as you have an RAF Prestwick wholly within Atlantic House.
There has been an RAF Swanwick since 2002 when LJAO moved down with AC, it increased in size when London Mil West was subsumed a couple of years ago. It'll just get bigger when the rest of the MASOR arrive at the end of this month. The flagpole issue has been ongoing since prior to 2002.
The other flagpole at Prestwick had yea olde NATS flag on it, perhaps no replacement has yet been thought of but I'm sure Corporate Comms have something in the pipeline.

BD

[off watch]

The Navy has traditions - the RAF merely has habits !

[anotherthing]

Scot,

the RN has exchange posts with the RAF at Prestwick, Swanwick, and for a few more weeks, West Drayton. It is therefore not an RN establishment.

In the same way that the RN has exchanges at several other RAF bases, where the Ensign is not flown

It works both ways, there is no RAF rag flying at the naval bases which hosts exchange personnel.

[fisbangwollop]

Quote..."The navy also has a presence at NATS Swanwick too.
They don't insist on hoisting a white ensign. Or calling the establishment 'HMS Swanwick'""

I bet Pete Goss has a white ensign on his office door!!!!!

[A I]

Peter Goss hasn't even got an office any more! It's all open plan!

A I :bored:

[WhatUMean]

The fimbles is stilli think the best option!