Airport Live - BBC 2 UK - 17th June 2013
DC10
In this part of the 21st Cebtury we are not even employees any more - we're referred to in management missives as FTEs 
What does that mean? Answers on a postcard addressed to CTC...
In the 21st Century working for NATS you are just an employee.
What does that mean? Answers on a postcard addressed to CTC...
Last edited by Dan Dare; 18th Jun 2013 at 09:23.
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Reminds me of a loud-mouthed BOAC chap hollering down the phone at our Supervisor one day...... "You do realise who you are talking to; I'm a captain". Supervisor replied: "You hold the Queen's Commission do you?"
Last edited by HEATHROW DIRECTOR; 18th Jun 2013 at 09:55.
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Dan Dare, no we're not.
'Full Time Equivalent' is a recognised term when referring to headcount cost and manpower planning within an organisation.
I assume you are equally as perturbed when airlines refer to you as 'Passenger Seat Miles' or 'x% Load Factor'?
'Full Time Equivalent' is a recognised term when referring to headcount cost and manpower planning within an organisation.
I assume you are equally as perturbed when airlines refer to you as 'Passenger Seat Miles' or 'x% Load Factor'?
Last edited by Gonzo; 18th Jun 2013 at 10:39.
Didn't bother to watch, especially as one of the presenters said (of ATC) in 'What's on TV':'you have to have a strong bladder, you don't get many toilet breaks when you're handling all those aircraft'.
We enjoyed tonights programme, very well done! Mrs B48, who like me knows bu**er all about ATC
, thought things were explained very well! But, she wants to know who that lovely Adie is? 
, thought things were explained very well! But, she wants to know who that lovely Adie is?
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Gapster, no, completely optional. They are quality shirts though.
Not what one is accustomed to from one's own shirtmaker, but they certainly suffice.
Not what one is accustomed to from one's own shirtmaker, but they certainly suffice.
Last edited by Gonzo; 18th Jun 2013 at 21:36.
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Kate Humble explained in the first programme that for family reasons Dan Snow was unable to present the programme. Maybe if Dan was presenting it would be less of a Blue Peter type affair. On the first evening it felt like Kate had been thrown in at the deep end!
Dave Marshall! I knew him when he was a SAC ATC assistant in the RAF's premier fast jet unit in Rutland - top bloke. He'd have been the ideal candidate for officer selection and controlling..........oh yes, he applied for that and they turned him down; ho hum, the RAF's loss...
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Agree - quite enjoying it too. They are trying to make something complicated accessible to the public.
B48 - my Mrs remembers the lovely Adie - he's the guy who promised her a trip round the new tower when she was helping me run the examiners course on which he was a student back in the 00's. Not that he was seeking to influence things, of course!!!
B48 - my Mrs remembers the lovely Adie - he's the guy who promised her a trip round the new tower when she was helping me run the examiners course on which he was a student back in the 00's. Not that he was seeking to influence things, of course!!!
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Highlight for me was how you paint planes ! - amazing !
Sorry, 'heavier-than-air, power-driven, flying machines', according to the still-current, legal definition in The Air Navigation Order.
Sorry, 'heavier-than-air, power-driven, flying machines', according to the still-current, legal definition in The Air Navigation Order.
Last edited by ZOOKER; 19th Jun 2013 at 23:19.
Highlight for me was how you paint planes ! - amazing !
Brought back memories of Bay 16 and orange-peel ...
More than just an ATCO
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What shift system are the working in the tower? The same faces have appeared three days in a row on afternoon shifts, but also yesterday on a nigh or early shift.
Surly management wouldn't stoop so low as to only allow the photogenic ones to be filmed?
Surly management wouldn't stoop so low as to only allow the photogenic ones to be filmed?
More than just an ATCO
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OK of course I meant "surely" although "surly" could be used to describe some
Last edited by Lon More; 20th Jun 2013 at 08:42. Reason: damn predictve spellig and spellcheck
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Lon, the three 'featured' ATCOs are off roster for this week. Indeed, All three have been working for the past 3 weeks with the BBC.
The night shift material was recorded last week I think.
The night shift material was recorded last week I think.
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"Working with the BBC for 3 weeks" OMG! When they did a similar prog back in the 80s nothing was rehearsed or scripted and nobody worked with the BBC. It was as natural as could be, including the cameraderie which used to exist and of which there was no sign on the bits I saw.