Here in Brissie, we had an aviation careers expo. I attended as a representative of Airservices Australia (my employer). We had a recording of some Brisbane Approach south playing on a large screen monitor, and I noticed a nice young lady was watching it with rapt attention.

I said hello and she asked me about the recording and what was happening. I answered her questions and asked if she was thinking of becoming a controller. I had also detected an accent.

She told me she was a French controller from Strasbourg. Her name Amelie. Ahhhh.......

Anyway, when we asked about her working conditions.....well we all wanted to emigrate to France (and Strasbourg too).

Older readers will remember the bad old days when the Spanish and French controllers seemed to be on strike every other week. Now those guys are reaping the huge benefits of their actions......

Strike???.............. best i think we are likely to get is maybe a free coffee and a Fimble for christmas!:}

Work? France? Methinks me Texan colleague has been supping from the cactus again:E

So true. You can't beat starting a beer session at Monday, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Friday lunchtime while the office bods grab a quick pint in their hurried lunch hour!!

I think that somehow it's the French choice for living : getting less money, but working less... Totally opposite to our American friends ;)

But if we'd compare our actual wages for an hour of work, I suppose we would be in the same range... :ok:

Is it possible to work half-time for ATCOs in your countries ? (in France it is ! :rolleyes: )

We have some folks who have worked part time schedules in the US, but it appears that the FAA is frowning upon that of late... Who knows where they are going to go with that...

regards

Scott

Begbie
 

Begbie
Those office bods in the pubs with their mates watching the big match while you're at work or sleeping it off.