How do you "get up to speed" when starting a shift or coming off a break?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How do you "get up to speed" when starting a shift or coming off a break?
When starting a shift or coming off a break, how long does it take to get a full picture of what's happening and how do you do it?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The foot of Mt. Belzoni.
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How about at the start of a watch cycle, after 3 days off? ATC shift cycles often start with 2 'morning', or early duties. When I started, the shift cycle began with 'afternoons', with a gradual build up to tea-time traffic.
Now, it's usually WANG, straight into the first traffic rotation of the day.
Also, coming back after, say, 2 weeks leave was interesting, especially during summer traffic levels.
Now, it's usually WANG, straight into the first traffic rotation of the day.
Also, coming back after, say, 2 weeks leave was interesting, especially during summer traffic levels.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Near Stalyvegas
Age: 78
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some people used to come in 30secs late...quel surprise, all sectors manned [and ladied] until the splits....
that woke them up.
To be fair, the ATCO does spend time assesing the sector prior to taking over.
ATSA [retired]
that woke them up.To be fair, the ATCO does spend time assesing the sector prior to taking over.
ATSA [retired]
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
after having a handover
The oncoming controller plugs their headset in the available socket (each position has two sockets). This allows direct speech between the two headsets for clarity and recording of the handover should it be required for training or an incident investigation. The outgoing controller, when convenient, describes what is happening. This will include the air pressure, runway in use, aerodrome status, weather, unusual activity and the present and planned traffic situation. When the oncoming controller accepts the position (maybe after a question or a condition like "turn ABC123 left ten degrees, then I'll take it") the outgoing will unplug and should stay in the room for a minute or two, particularly if it's busy or complicated, in case anything has been missed.
It is worth noting that the oncoming controller is not required to accept the position until they are completely happy with the situation. For example, if I thought two aircraft were going to lose separation shortly after I took over (extreme example, I know) I would make the outgoing controller remedy the situation before I accepted responsibility for the position.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: guess where...
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not much to add after the very good summary of reportyourlevel.
Perhaps mentioning that while it is not mandatory, a very good practice is for the atco starting the shift to arrive 2-3 minutes earlier and plug himself to the console to listen to the communications while checking the screen in order to get a feeling of the situation prior to the formal handover. Also very advisable is that the atco ending his shift stays put next to the console for another 2-3 minutes in order to be able to point out things that might have slipped the newcomers attention and to be able to give a hand if necessary.
Sadly this routine is not always used
Perhaps mentioning that while it is not mandatory, a very good practice is for the atco starting the shift to arrive 2-3 minutes earlier and plug himself to the console to listen to the communications while checking the screen in order to get a feeling of the situation prior to the formal handover. Also very advisable is that the atco ending his shift stays put next to the console for another 2-3 minutes in order to be able to point out things that might have slipped the newcomers attention and to be able to give a hand if necessary.
Sadly this routine is not always used
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EGLL
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Report your level, very good text book reply and completely correct, however most switched on controllers would know r/w in use, serviceabilities, wip etc before they plug in, I don't think a pressure handover nor weather is applicable as that would have been checked by the oncoming controller, besides the weather inc qnh can change as the controller is plugging in. All I can say is for the incoming controller to get the traffic picture and decide what to do next after flicking the switch, once getting the picture saying "I've got it" then flick the switch and take the position. If the outgoing controller has to sort a problem then he/she may want to sort it before takeover. I have seen the outgoing controller hanging around to ensure that everything is handed over and on the other hand I have heard the incoming controller asking the outgoing controller (as they are walking out the door) "what level is the speed bird descending to?" Finally if the incoming ATCO is switched on (and should be or shouldn't be at work) and pre briefed and has the picture with a plan then there should't be any problem. It is a fact though that most incidents happen during handovers and quiet periods.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has anyone ever thought of using a phrase such as " new controller " spoken on frequency with a change in controller as a way to reduce incidents ? It would increase RT traffic , but at what cost/benefit ? Apologise if going off topic.
Coming back 2-3 minutes early to listen in, hang around for 2-3 minutes afterwards plus, say, 4 minutes for handover. Whose 'responsibility free break' does that 10 minutes come out of?
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
most switched on controllers would know r/w in use, serviceabilities, wip etc before they plug in, I don't think a pressure handover nor weather is applicable as that would have been checked by the oncoming controller, besides the weather inc qnh can change as the controller is plugging in
ETA for us the runway in use is not always immediately obvious.
Last edited by reportyourlevel; 27th Feb 2013 at 19:49.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: guess where...
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coming back 2-3 minutes early to listen in, hang around for 2-3 minutes
afterwards plus, say, 4 minutes for handover. Whose 'responsibility free break'
does that 10 minutes come out of?
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EGLL
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"reportyourlevel" agreed in your mats pt 2 it may say "shall" however in mats pt 1 it states for watch handover "shall" but for handing over a position states "should" . There are no specific lists for the handing over but the taking over controller "should" be aware of certain things. Bit of a grey area if you want to read more deeply into it.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Coast and Suffolk
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coming back 2-3 minutes early to listen in
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: South East
Age: 56
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Turn up 2-3 minutes before, plug into the spare socket, watch and listen. Sometimes the one vacating is too busy too explain it all (good board management helps), so only once I am fully happy to take over will I let them know and agree to take control. Then flip the switch on the comms to my headset and carry on.
Sadly occassionally some do just wonder in late, but a friendly word between colleagues usually stops that from being the norm... Afterall its swings and roundabouts.
The outgoing controller will then hover for a couple of minutes or unless i let them know I'm ok.
Then just get on with it.
Sadly occassionally some do just wonder in late, but a friendly word between colleagues usually stops that from being the norm... Afterall its swings and roundabouts.
The outgoing controller will then hover for a couple of minutes or unless i let them know I'm ok.
Then just get on with it.
