Calling LATCC ATCOs
 

Don't freak, but I'm the Observer's transport journalist usurping your network briefly to see if anyone wants to talk. I've had brief but absolutely trustworthy info passed to me that there is fresh and genuine concern about safety among some senior controllers at LATCC because of a combination of traffic levels/staffing levels/equipment problems/delay opening NERC.
If any controllers and/or managers want to speak to me about this call me at work on 020 77134393 or email me at [email protected] or [email protected]
I know you will be thrown off the battlements for talking so I GUARANTEE to protect your identity and would go to jail without revealing it. If you contact me we can discuss how to verify our credentials to each other without jeopardising your position.
I know this is not a new topic and I know professionals get (quite rightly) offended when things are reported melodramatically and with inaccuracies. Inaccuracy is intolerable and I do my best to avoid it. A certain amount of drama is inevitable even from broadsheets and, although you calm pros do not like it, it has a huge effect at the top of organisations if we report fears and the big cheeses know there is truth behind it.
I have backed off the LATCC story of late for lack of evidence. If there are no problems, fine, you'll never hear from me again. But I know the info I have received is not said lightly and is not just about trying to shelve the privatisation. I never claim to be an expert, that is why I ask for assistance from those who know their stuff.
Last summer I decided NOT to do an 'accident waiting to happen' story about signals passed at danger on the railways for fear of being called sensationalist....and then we had Ladbroke Grove. Thankyou and goodnight.

Well, who's going to be the first into the Dragon's lair? :)

http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif It's bloody tempting to go and spill the beans but is it really sensible?...pension etc etc.

Thankyou for the helpful, individual responses I have received so far in confidence.....but I definitely need some more stuff before I can say I have a case here.
For those of you who may be wavering, spill those beans for safety's sake. I am fully aware that your job, pension etc are finished if you are exposed. I say again, your identity will be protected. But if it helps, you do not even have to reveal your identity to me. Call me with specific information, btu withhold your number and name if it makes you more comfortable. Email me if you like but it is probably more secure to call from a phone box or personal mobile. Obs freephone no. is 0800 243 033, ordinary no. 020 7713 4393. I have a mobile I can call you back on also.

I don't know whether any of you have actually sent any 'confidential' views or whether Dragon is using the old police tactic of "yer mates told use everything so you might as well tells us now", but I would suggest keeping the ATCO views among ourselves. Nothing's going to change just because some of us cry to the press.

And anyway, do you really think you will be accurately quoted?????

GW

There will be no tricks, no police tactics, no misquotes. I have had a limited and measured response so far. Things are clearly not hunkydory but I am appealing for more info. I think drawing attention to specific issues with accurate details can have an effect.

Straight to the CAA press office e mail system

I'll second that.

Never trust somebody you don't know especially a journo trying to make their name and nobody you know. Take my word spill the beans if you have to to jn on the mil forum.

Duplicate response

[This message has been edited by POMPI (edited 06 August 2000).]

LD,
" know you will be thrown off the battlements for talking so I GUARANTEE to protect your identity and would go to jail without revealing it. If you contact me we can discuss how to verify our credentials to each other without jeopardising your position."
One whiff of the holding cells and you will sing your heart out - I have no doubt.
A reference where a journo has gone to jail to protect a source - I don't recall one, please correct me if I am wrong. What is your limit for contempt 6 months, 1 year or 5 ?, please advise.
In the light of recent legislation I wouldn't be ready to slag off my employer (NATS isn't by the way) over a PC to a Journo or anybody else.
Your best bet would be to ask the NATS press office to speak to all (allright a cross section)the ATCO's at LATCC and form your own opinion and if they didn't let you do that 'some' inference could be drawn from that.
I don't believe that you will get a proper answer from a 'shot in the dark' question like wot you have asked here.

Little Dragon, your colleague John Gibb's article posted over in Rumours and News doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the talents of Observer journalists. Far too many simple errors that should easily have been noticed with a little bit of research.

Sorry, no desire to talk to you on or off the record.

WF.