Operation desert storm......
 

Jackl has a few valid points......I don't think that he is trying to paint a grim picture of Ireland and working for the IAA. There are certain things that need to be said. Yeah, the weather is crap.....if ya like the rain, go out and get wet!!! Irish weather is sh**e for the most of the year anyways. It does get you down and I'm convinced its why half the country is depressed!!! The IAA isn't a bad company to work for. Yeah they could be better but what company couldn't. And I think the IAA know this very much!! The one thing that you do feel working there is secure. I did anyways. With regards to the economy.....from what i'm hearing, it is in freefall. It was bound to happen. No doubt it will pick up again in the future. It IS expensive to live there. Let no-one tell you otherwise. Cars aren't cheap, petrol isn't cheap, childcare isn't cheap, food isn't cheap. I'm saying this because even tho the salary is high compared to the average industrial wage in Ireland, you still feel a pinch. If you want to go to Ireland to make money, forget it. If you want to go to feed your appetite for adventure, go for it. The grass is always a little greener wherever you go. When I decided to leave the emerald isle, I asked myself one question: In 20 years time will I look back and regret not walking away from the comfort zone and walking into something I knew little about? The answer is I would. So far so good.....but you never know. Take it as it comes. Ireland is a great place....but right now, the desert is better!!! (and hotter!!!!)....

In Your Defence
 

Jackl,
Your mood and tone are just typical of an IAA controller at this moment in time. We were crapped on by our own management quite publicly and foolishly. The troubles continue and the battle goes on. The IAA still don't realise the damage they've done . They still haven't seen the effects. They still believe that they are in control and we will capitulate , roll over and tow the company line. You and I both know that EB and his Motley Crew can, for now, and the foreseeable future go F**k themselves. The head of this organisation has been severed from the body.
In the meantime we need to do what we can to improve our conditions of work and staffing. You and I will continue to do our jobs to the best of our ability and soldier on til we get to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Any day at work that you don't have contact with management is a good day. Your chance will come to make a difference in ATC and when it does , just remember the antics of the current management regime and where it got them. That's if you haven't taken your (in demand) skills and ability somewhere (warmer) instead.:ok:
They just ain't the sharpest tools in the shed

Thanks for the information folks.

I've been lurking here for a while; obviously I've tried to be informed about the decision my family and I have made.

We definitely aren't doing this as a money making exercise. We definitely aren't expecting the IAA to be significantly better than ASA, but I hope it is better. From what I have garnered so far, it is better in terms of work life balance; even if some of you consider the rosters to be sh!te; it's what you are used to I guess, ASA is becoming the envy of the world, NOT!. :mad: :ugh:

This pretty much sums up why we are going to Ireland. Well except the last sentence. I would have loved to have gone straight to the desert, but with the family in tow it was going to be too big a challenge and too culturally confronting. (even though my first few phone calls to natives have left me thinking what have I done, what did he say?) :}

Hopefully the Irish adventure will give us as a family the courage to go live in the desert (or elsewhere) for a while when homeward bound, as a money making exercise... but there are many other parts of the world that may open up to us once we've taken the step outside our comfort zone time will tell.

Being further away from family will be a challenge, but life is an adventure, but right now we see most of them twice a year anyway.

PS, I'm coming across on a 3 year contract, being a former VP of our union in OZ, my intention is to join your union ASAP.

Hey Guys,

Good to hear some balanced discussion about the IAA and advice on what we should be keeping an eye on.

I have joined the IAA as a permanent employee and I will be joining IMPACT as soon as I am permitted too, I have already had a good look at the website.

We are unlucky (lucky) enough that we don't have any kids!

Hear, Hear!

Life is too short to wonder what if?

Thanks for that, a change is as good as a holiday as they say. I have taken up one of the permanent positions and will be arriving in Dublin on October 1st. I will be coming into the ACC early the following week to have a look and hopefully get a head start on my training, I'm expecting it to be tough but not insurmountable.

If any of the guys in Dublin want to go out for a drink or a round of Golf sometime after I arrive let me know by PM. :ok:

Sometime.ya kidding. that's all they do up there.
they'll bring you drinking first. Get that handicap upto a respectable double figure.

My two cents:

Cost of living - Rental accomodation is much cheaper than Australia and NZ, working out of Shannon anyway, can't vouch for Dublin. Food is on a par with Australasia, fruit and vege a little more expensive, but averages out the same. Utilities a little more expensive, but a better choice of broadband and satellite. Cars are very expensive, but you are buying and selling in the same market, so your depreciation is the same as at home. The only real killer is the tax on cars. You are taxed on the size of your engine, so if you want a SUV like home, expect to pay 2000 Euro a year just for registration. Insurance is also very expensive.

Work Environment - the guys/gals in the ops room are all very friendly and welcoming. First class training. Can't vouch for management as haven't had any dealings there yet.

Weather - It rains, sure, but there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. Been lovely here in the West the last week too.

Compared to the Middle East - There is no comparison. It's apples and oranges. It all comes down to lifestyle choice...ie do you want a lifestyle or money? Of the 5 expats in Shannon, 4 are ex-Middle East, that must count for something?

Union
 

We have seen the worse management, the management that made terrorist out of innocent controllers. I think ATCO community is more bounded and loyal to the Job than the organizations. I assure you that we will be part of you and will never work against with fellow controllers

What ^^^^^ ???????????

Very good thread this espeacially the last couple of pages. It gives a very good and honest idea of the good and the bad of both the IAA and Ireland Inc.

In general if you want to come and focus on doing your job then you have no worries. Stick with your new colleagues. On a day to day basis working is fine. As i have stated before we go in,do our thing and go home. The problems that have arisen have eminated in their entirety from further up the food chain.

Losing touch with what your core business is and focusing on extracting the absolute maximum from your bottom line have led to a management team that have lost sight of the big picture and the fact that it is the intangable benefits that make a good company and a good product. The IAA is one of the biggest ATC providers in europe and for such a large ANSP we charge the lowest unit rate or close to it every year. We have a good business and we should keep it that way.

Perhaps the last few months may have gradually opened up their eyes to the fact that by turning the IAA into the rIAAnair of ATC by just screwing with your main asset (us-the very flexible,hardworking and compliant staff) is not the way to build a sustainable business. I hope that lessons are learned from the last few years and we are never backed into a corner where we have to fight in order to make people see sense and reality.I Hope....................

Anyway rant over

To all the new arrivals welcome and thanks for coming. It does take guts to leave the comfort zone and head off. Im sure you will be welcomed and may even like the place.......but not the f"$%*ing weather!

Any Sheilas coming our way?

Dublin (great City)
 

Fot anyone coming to Dublin or thinking about it.
YouTube - It's a Beautiful Day for Dublin

Only the wives of the controllers coming over.... :}

Oh ...!
 

I was going to post this question but it's probably not such a good idea.
YouTube - Kevin Bloody Wilson-Do ya **** on 1st dates

Kevin "bloody" wilson is why I'm leaving.

In response to the question, no generally because

YouTube - Dead Kennedys: Too Drunk To **** - Finland 1981

and while we are trading in cultural cliches..

YouTube - Danny Boy - Foster & Allen

They sell Viagra here in holy Ireland, you know. Although, being a Foster and Allen fan, you'd probably take them just to stop you from falling out of the bed. :ok:
Here's one for you and the rest of the returning sons.
YouTube - Fields of Athenry
this is what you'll need it for
YouTube - Munster V Sale - Fields of Athenry

Thank you for the education. Magnificent. Makes Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
rather flaccid by comparison.

It is one of many reasons for us coming over...

I will be in Dublin from the 22nd of Oct, if anyone would like a drink feel free to pm me.

I'm sure you'll give a heartfelt rendition of this ,next January 26th in Dublin.
Oh ! not to mention this

Heartfelt indeed, but will probably sound like this,

YouTube - Tom Waits Waltzing Matilda live 1977

and I'm more partial to this version of the latter,

YouTube - The Pogues - And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda (LIVE!)

and this would get me homesick as well

YouTube - Warumpi Band : My Island Home (1987)

I worked my last shift with lipservices this morning. 26 years, most of my coworkers are more like family,

this is for them....

YouTube - GOLDEN EARRING Radar Love

We'll have you converted in no time. Just like this bloke.
and you can leave this ****e behind ya .
Here's one for the plane.
Looks like we're soon to become the
IAA ( Irish Australian Association):ok:

No need... it's just some of the Irish that were sent to the penal colonies returning home. ;)

The Most Important Aussie Band.

And presciently, they foretold the IAA in 1976...