Atcos: how long do you work in position?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
From: Here of course
Atcos: how long do you work in position?
Hi,
Just curious to hear how long you guys work in position in one session?
I usually work 90mins on 90mins off. twr or app. No planner or director.
How about you?
And what are the recommendations from IFATCA?
Just curious to hear how long you guys work in position in one session?
I usually work 90mins on 90mins off. twr or app. No planner or director.
How about you?
And what are the recommendations from IFATCA?
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 11
From: southampton
notared
all bloody summer i've been working hour on half hour off with the occassional hour and a half sessions, and i work at Swanwick.
I really don't know where this "Swanwick works for half an hour and then does bugger all for 90mins" comes from
all bloody summer i've been working hour on half hour off with the occassional hour and a half sessions, and i work at Swanwick.
I really don't know where this "Swanwick works for half an hour and then does bugger all for 90mins" comes from
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Scotland
at scottish i would have said it was a 60/40 split, mostly working 90 minutes on 30 mins off, with the lesser percentage of 60 mins on 30 mins off.but breaks 99% of the time no greater than 3o mins
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Rebel HQ
at scottish i would have said it was a 60/40 split, mostly working 90 minutes on 30 mins off, with the lesser percentage of 60 mins on 30 mins off.but breaks 99% of the time no greater than 3o mins
Whilst it is also true that the 30 minute break is the norm for folks at ScACC (even for meal breaks on some of the Watches ... whom I've mentioned already actually
), we still have our own colleagues who shoot us in the foot and screw things up for their colleagues, sauntering in after 40+ minutes, or returning to the Ops Room around the 35 minute mark, but then proceed on their social wandering break whilst they move around talking to colleagues or meeting them by the headset lockers for a chat. Meanwhile some poor sod is going out of SRATCOH time or has a bursting bladder and the desk are frantically searching for the late comer. 
I'm not sure which I hate most. Piss poor break management by some of the guys on the desk (a minority I hasten to add), or the serial malingerers amongst ourselves (you can name them on every Watch).
Last edited by TALLOWAY; 14th August 2008 at 15:33.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Rebel HQ
Are you saying Manchester have short hours and long breaks ?
Or that their staff (desk and sector) are great at making the break plan work 100% of the time ?
Or just !!!! stirring ??
I'd be surprised if a big unit like MACC doesn't have some of the same issues and behaviours that other large units at NATS has.
Or that their staff (desk and sector) are great at making the break plan work 100% of the time ?
Or just !!!! stirring ??
I'd be surprised if a big unit like MACC doesn't have some of the same issues and behaviours that other large units at NATS has.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Costa del Swanwick
TALLOWAY- being new you haven't met ZOOKER have you?
You know every village has its' resident idiot-well he is this site's version. Just put him in your ignore list if you don't have a sense of humour but if you like a regular chance to say " what a to**er leave him in your read file.
You know every village has its' resident idiot-well he is this site's version. Just put him in your ignore list if you don't have a sense of humour but if you like a regular chance to say " what a to**er leave him in your read file.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Eire
Shannon Acc
2 hrs on. 5 min handover . 20 mins off. That's the minimum break. Some managers have tried to use their own interpretation of this rule by forcing atco's to take a 10 min break after one hr in position so they can put them back in position for another 2 hrs. Therefore one could end up with only a 10 min break in a 200 minute period.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Emerald Isle
Airways New Zealand
Depending on whether it is Radar, Planner or Tower it is 2, 2.5 or 3 hours on and a minimum of a 10 min break and then back into it.
Max shift normally 7.5 (but can be extended).
Solo watch sectors/towers have to manage the breaks around the traffic.
Most rosters are written to make life easier than the above, but in some cases the maximums and minimums have to be applied
Where I am now - 8 hour shift, one hour on one hour off, or two hours on one hour off
Max shift normally 7.5 (but can be extended).
Solo watch sectors/towers have to manage the breaks around the traffic.
Most rosters are written to make life easier than the above, but in some cases the maximums and minimums have to be applied
Where I am now - 8 hour shift, one hour on one hour off, or two hours on one hour off
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,003
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From: The foot of Mt. Belzoni.
Knots,
Thank-you for your continuing support.
I note with interest that your location indicator is 'Costa del Swanwick'.
So your connection with ATC is that you are actually employed in the controller's coffee bar. I suspected this might be so.
Is there not a bean-grinders forum where you would be more at home?
.
I'll have a large cappuccino with extra chocolate chips please.
Have a (90 minute) break,- Have a Kit-Kat
.
Thank-you for your continuing support.
I note with interest that your location indicator is 'Costa del Swanwick'.
So your connection with ATC is that you are actually employed in the controller's coffee bar. I suspected this might be so.
Is there not a bean-grinders forum where you would be more at home?
. I'll have a large cappuccino with extra chocolate chips please.
Have a (90 minute) break,- Have a Kit-Kat
.
Last edited by ZOOKER; 15th August 2008 at 16:18.
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