Prestwick: Controllers' bomb flights unease
Paxing All Over The World
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Prestwick: Controllers' bomb flights unease
BBC 28th July 2006
Some air traffic controllers at Prestwick have raised concerns about handling flights carrying bombs destined for Israel.
BBC Scotland has learned that staff were unhappy about dealing with the US planes because flight plans appeared to mention that there were bombs on board. Some of the 200 air traffic controllers said they were "very uncomfortable" handling certain aircraft. Unions have considered an approach to the management as a result.
One air traffic controller, who did not want to be identified, said: "We usually don't know the cargo that is on board but for some reason this one's flight plan was brazenly advertising it was carrying bombs. "People are very uncomfortable with that."
the article continues
Some air traffic controllers at Prestwick have raised concerns about handling flights carrying bombs destined for Israel.
BBC Scotland has learned that staff were unhappy about dealing with the US planes because flight plans appeared to mention that there were bombs on board. Some of the 200 air traffic controllers said they were "very uncomfortable" handling certain aircraft. Unions have considered an approach to the management as a result.
One air traffic controller, who did not want to be identified, said: "We usually don't know the cargo that is on board but for some reason this one's flight plan was brazenly advertising it was carrying bombs. "People are very uncomfortable with that."
the article continues
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Doesn't it come down to procedures?
There was a suggestion in the media that the flight was reclassified from civil to military en route.
I suppose the US don't mind 'fessing to bombs but not detainees.
There was a suggestion in the media that the flight was reclassified from civil to military en route.
I suppose the US don't mind 'fessing to bombs but not detainees.
Originally Posted by easyprison
I agree. It's nothing to do with ATC what and who's on board.
Originally Posted by easyprison
But I don't think PIK ATC are really taking action over this. Daily Mirror alert!
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I wondered if it is that they have moral reservations about handling flights carrying munitions which are to be dropped on defenceless civilians (such as I have)
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Update from the BBC
Saturday, 29 July 2006, 00:19 GMT 01:19 UK
US President George Bush has apologised to Tony Blair for using Prestwick Airport to refuel planes carrying bombs to Israel, Mr Blair's spokesman says.
The spokesman said Mr Bush gave a "one-line" apology for the fact that proper procedures were not followed.
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The point seems to be involving civilians in the trade of war materials between two 'third party' countries. Since the USAAAF have military bases, they could have used them for staging and, of course, not then have to declare the cargo. But, given the recent information on the way that the USA transported individuals on 'civilian' flights through UK airspace, it was probably time for some to protest. Especially since Blair won't.
Saturday, 29 July 2006, 00:19 GMT 01:19 UK
US President George Bush has apologised to Tony Blair for using Prestwick Airport to refuel planes carrying bombs to Israel, Mr Blair's spokesman says.
The spokesman said Mr Bush gave a "one-line" apology for the fact that proper procedures were not followed.
================
The point seems to be involving civilians in the trade of war materials between two 'third party' countries. Since the USAAAF have military bases, they could have used them for staging and, of course, not then have to declare the cargo. But, given the recent information on the way that the USA transported individuals on 'civilian' flights through UK airspace, it was probably time for some to protest. Especially since Blair won't.
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Four innocent UN observers were killed by an errant Israeli missile the other day. You can't be happy working flights that have an itemised cargo of bombs on the flight plan heading out to Israel,regardless of what political viewpoint you may have on the situation.
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I saw a copy of the flight plan for the flight in question and was quite shocked by the blatantness of the admission in the 'remarks' section.
It doesn't give you a particularly nice feeling thinking that the direct routing you may have given a certain flight, helped speed the 'bomb' (as quoted in 'remarks') on its merry way towards some innocent child.
I believe the Irish refused passage of the flight through their airspace.
It doesn't give you a particularly nice feeling thinking that the direct routing you may have given a certain flight, helped speed the 'bomb' (as quoted in 'remarks') on its merry way towards some innocent child.
I believe the Irish refused passage of the flight through their airspace.
Last edited by Pheasant Plucker; 29th Jul 2006 at 12:58.
If the press reports are correct - I repeat IF - are not some people at some ATCUs getting a little precious? Part of the job is handling military as well as civil flights - are they going to make some moral crusade out of the purpose behind every military flight? Or is "bringing home our brave boys from Iraq" acceptable, whereas carrying munitions is naughty?
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2 Sheds - no not precious, this is just the gut reaction of myself and others.
From sitting in the restroom one moment, watching reports of what is happening in Lebanon, to then reading the flight plan information; as described, the next, leaves you with an uneasy feeling.
It's true that we do deal with a large number of military flights day in, day out. It is rare however to be faced with the indirect consequences of working one of these flights, especially when these consequences can be so brutal.
Whatever your views on the conflict in Lebanon, it doesn't take a great leap of the imagination to picture where one of these bombs could land up, and thus, not be adversley affected by this.
From sitting in the restroom one moment, watching reports of what is happening in Lebanon, to then reading the flight plan information; as described, the next, leaves you with an uneasy feeling.
It's true that we do deal with a large number of military flights day in, day out. It is rare however to be faced with the indirect consequences of working one of these flights, especially when these consequences can be so brutal.
Whatever your views on the conflict in Lebanon, it doesn't take a great leap of the imagination to picture where one of these bombs could land up, and thus, not be adversley affected by this.
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Whatever your views on the conflict in Lebanon, it doesn't take a great leap of the imagination to picture where one of these bombs could land up, and thus, not be adversley affected by this.
I write this as someone who has been there and seen BOTH sides of it, and knows enough about the region, and its politics to realize that this guilt-ridden hand wringing angst..would'nt amount to a hill of beans if it was your house being flattened by a bomb/rocket from either side
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757manipulator - correct!
I would feel equally ill at ease if the flight was Syrian, Iranian or indeed a Hezbollah holiday charter.
I didn't and won't give my views on the wider issues of the area, and I don't have your first hand experience that comes from having been there. And thankfully, not having had such experience, I haven't become inured to violent actions, therefore I am still able to express shock when confronted with the information that I read.
I will only say that I believe that any violent actions, from which ever party, only inflame a terrible situation even further.
This is not an anti-Israeli rant.
The conflict can only be resolved by dialogue, and any further lives lost; on either side, are just more lives wasted.
My comments and feelings to do with the flight plan 'remarks' relate soley to that and nothing else.
I would feel equally ill at ease if the flight was Syrian, Iranian or indeed a Hezbollah holiday charter.
I didn't and won't give my views on the wider issues of the area, and I don't have your first hand experience that comes from having been there. And thankfully, not having had such experience, I haven't become inured to violent actions, therefore I am still able to express shock when confronted with the information that I read.
I will only say that I believe that any violent actions, from which ever party, only inflame a terrible situation even further.
This is not an anti-Israeli rant.
The conflict can only be resolved by dialogue, and any further lives lost; on either side, are just more lives wasted.
My comments and feelings to do with the flight plan 'remarks' relate soley to that and nothing else.
Last edited by Pheasant Plucker; 29th Jul 2006 at 15:08.
Beady Eye
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Originally Posted by Pheasant Plucker
My comments and feelings to do with the flight plan 'remarks' relate soley to that and nothing else.
BD
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BDiONU - To a large extent - Yes.
I am quite aware that bad stuff happens all over the world every day, some of which is done in my name, by my government.
I am also fully aware that the aircraft that I control carry all manner of cargo and people (I am sure that there have been plenty of murderers, rapists and other equally unpleasant characters aboard many of the flights that have passed through my sectors), but you are very rarely confronted so directly with the potential consequences of this.
This is the point that I was making.
What you subsequently do with this information is your business. If you wish to make a strong moral point and refuse to work such traffic good luck to you (and good luck searching for further employment I don't doubt).
Personally, for better or worse, my own line in the moral sand is probably a bit further on and I wouldn't refuse to work such traffic, some of my colleagues obviously feel differently though.
To call this post 'hand wringing' is probably correct, but to casually dismiss the original information without thought, I think, is far worse.
I am quite aware that bad stuff happens all over the world every day, some of which is done in my name, by my government.
I am also fully aware that the aircraft that I control carry all manner of cargo and people (I am sure that there have been plenty of murderers, rapists and other equally unpleasant characters aboard many of the flights that have passed through my sectors), but you are very rarely confronted so directly with the potential consequences of this.
This is the point that I was making.
What you subsequently do with this information is your business. If you wish to make a strong moral point and refuse to work such traffic good luck to you (and good luck searching for further employment I don't doubt).
Personally, for better or worse, my own line in the moral sand is probably a bit further on and I wouldn't refuse to work such traffic, some of my colleagues obviously feel differently though.
To call this post 'hand wringing' is probably correct, but to casually dismiss the original information without thought, I think, is far worse.
Last edited by Pheasant Plucker; 29th Jul 2006 at 17:47.
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Video of latest suspected flights c/o BBC - see other thread below:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...18#post2746718
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...18#post2746718
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Don't know if the said controllers are reputed to be PIK or Atlantic House but either regularly control UK and other national military aircraft including combat and cargo. Most who know PIK will recall the massive US deployments in 1999 for the Kosovo campaign (C5's especially). These a/c were no doubt carrying munitions. Did the controllers think then that the bombs dropped on Kosovo didn't or couldn't kill children or does it depend whose 'side' we are on?
Doesn't anybody remember that rather than defending ourselves from incoming missiles, the UK invaded Iraq, a sovereign country (not a political statement but a legal one!). The logical extension of any 'unease' about handling military munition-bearing flights would be to refuse to deal with any military, including RAF and those training the pilots to drop the bombs (i'm sure the RAF's bombs hurt just as much!).
Let's not get carried away with the C4 News 'Arab good-Israel bad' line.
Anyway, here's a theory...
Why did the US military use civilian cargo flights, routed through civilian airports? They have military airlift capability and military airfields where a zero 'footprint' can be maintained.
Why were the flight plans visible (CFMU etc) and explicit in terms of content (I have seen similar plans and exemptions (not these particular ones) and they are generally vague)?
Why did the route necessitate a fuel stop in PIK? Could they not have routed thru Bangor and direct to Tel Aviv or tech stop in KEF with lower visibility?
Answer:
Either they were simply put out to civilian contractor and none of this was anticipated or
They had every intention of the world knowing what was being supplied and they could rely on the reactionary British Press to do the publicity for them.
If the intention was to send a message, then who to?
Hezbullah....maybe? Israel is hitting their underground bunkers and 'we want you to know that there are plenty where they came from'!
but who else has installations hidden underground?
Iran! Having learned from the Iraq raid in the '80's, their nuclear installations are underground.
Maybe the message is to Iran?; 'we have bombs that can reach you underground and we are giving them to the guys who are prepared and capable of using them'!
I usually assume that these things (the publicity) don't happen by accident.
Doesn't anybody remember that rather than defending ourselves from incoming missiles, the UK invaded Iraq, a sovereign country (not a political statement but a legal one!). The logical extension of any 'unease' about handling military munition-bearing flights would be to refuse to deal with any military, including RAF and those training the pilots to drop the bombs (i'm sure the RAF's bombs hurt just as much!).
Let's not get carried away with the C4 News 'Arab good-Israel bad' line.
Anyway, here's a theory...
Why did the US military use civilian cargo flights, routed through civilian airports? They have military airlift capability and military airfields where a zero 'footprint' can be maintained.
Why were the flight plans visible (CFMU etc) and explicit in terms of content (I have seen similar plans and exemptions (not these particular ones) and they are generally vague)?
Why did the route necessitate a fuel stop in PIK? Could they not have routed thru Bangor and direct to Tel Aviv or tech stop in KEF with lower visibility?
Answer:
Either they were simply put out to civilian contractor and none of this was anticipated or
They had every intention of the world knowing what was being supplied and they could rely on the reactionary British Press to do the publicity for them.
If the intention was to send a message, then who to?
Hezbullah....maybe? Israel is hitting their underground bunkers and 'we want you to know that there are plenty where they came from'!
but who else has installations hidden underground?
Iran! Having learned from the Iraq raid in the '80's, their nuclear installations are underground.
Maybe the message is to Iran?; 'we have bombs that can reach you underground and we are giving them to the guys who are prepared and capable of using them'!
I usually assume that these things (the publicity) don't happen by accident.
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Safety is an issue
Leaving aside the politics - I think one fundamental aspect is being missed here. Were the flights handled in accordance with the airport's protocols for handling dangerous goods? And just what are those protocols? Should such cargos be parked on a ramp that is in close proximity to a passenger terminal?
Just maybe the concern of the ATCOs is for their PERSONAL safety. Many of them must live fairly close by and they certainly work within what might be regarded as an uncomfortably close distance.
Just maybe the concern of the ATCOs is for their PERSONAL safety. Many of them must live fairly close by and they certainly work within what might be regarded as an uncomfortably close distance.
Last edited by OLDBOOT; 29th Jul 2006 at 21:05.