ATC Staff Shortage set to bite
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Latest rumour doing the rounds when a little short on ocean the other night? Call in an ex-ocean controller ( 3 yrs ex ) and get him to look over the shoulder of a very junior controller who would be doing his 2nd. shift as a rated controller.
Let me know if you run short in Mel. i did sectors there 15 years ago but i`m sure not that much has changed has it?
Let me know if you run short in Mel. i did sectors there 15 years ago but i`m sure not that much has changed has it?
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Contracts!! AAARGH!
We are currently negotiating our CA (certified agreement). We cannot take industrial action until the protected bargaining period. This begins on expiry of the current CA, in October.
The current TIBA occurences are really due to a shortfall of staff, fatigue management constraints, and the recent bouts of flu like viruses that are doing the rounds in Brisbane at the moment. We have enough ATCs to do the job as long as not too many controllers get sick at the same time.
We are currently negotiating our CA (certified agreement). We cannot take industrial action until the protected bargaining period. This begins on expiry of the current CA, in October.
The current TIBA occurences are really due to a shortfall of staff, fatigue management constraints, and the recent bouts of flu like viruses that are doing the rounds in Brisbane at the moment. We have enough ATCs to do the job as long as not too many controllers get sick at the same time.
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So how does this worK? What is 'A' and 'B'? If there is someone to answer the phone and give me an approval why isn't that person working the traffic instead?
What is going on?
What is going on?
PRD C0289/05
TEMPO RESTRICTED AREA ACT
CLASS C AIRSPACE RECLASSIFIED TEMPO RESTRICTED AREA
WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREA DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGE:
BRISBANE APPROACH 123.5
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST A
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST B
CLASS C AIRSPACE WI 15NM RADIUS OF S28 10.1 E153 30.2 (CG/DME)
PILOTS CAN OBTAIN CLEARANCES TO OPERATE WI TEMPO RESTRICTED AIRSPACE
ON LAST ATS FREQ PRIOR TO ENTRY. MANDATORY BROADCAST PROCEDURES APPLY
ON 123.5 AIP GEN 3.3 REFERS. NONSCHED FLTS SHOULD PLAN TO AVOID THIS
AIRSPACE DURING ACT TIMES.
CONTROLLING AUTHORITY BRISBANE OPERATIONS MANAGER 07 38663224
OR 07 38663421.
1500FT AMSL TO 3500FT AMSL
FROM 09 152100 TO 09 160000
0509152100 TO 0509152130 0509152330 TO 0509160000
TEMPO RESTRICTED AREA ACT
CLASS C AIRSPACE RECLASSIFIED TEMPO RESTRICTED AREA
WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREA DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGE:
BRISBANE APPROACH 123.5
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST A
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST B
CLASS C AIRSPACE WI 15NM RADIUS OF S28 10.1 E153 30.2 (CG/DME)
PILOTS CAN OBTAIN CLEARANCES TO OPERATE WI TEMPO RESTRICTED AIRSPACE
ON LAST ATS FREQ PRIOR TO ENTRY. MANDATORY BROADCAST PROCEDURES APPLY
ON 123.5 AIP GEN 3.3 REFERS. NONSCHED FLTS SHOULD PLAN TO AVOID THIS
AIRSPACE DURING ACT TIMES.
CONTROLLING AUTHORITY BRISBANE OPERATIONS MANAGER 07 38663224
OR 07 38663421.
1500FT AMSL TO 3500FT AMSL
FROM 09 152100 TO 09 160000
0509152100 TO 0509152130 0509152330 TO 0509160000
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If there is someone to answer the phone and give me an approval why isn't that person working the traffic instead?
The reason for the temp. restricted airspace is because there is only one controller to control Gold Coast approach airspace for the morning, and his breaks are notamed. This is due unavailablitity of staff.
Every sector of airspace requires a controller to have an endorsement to work that airspace. Just like pilots are required to hold endorsements for different aircraft.
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Nomorecrap
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST A
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST B
are the official sector names as described in the designated airspace handbook (DAH) (page 2)
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST A
YBBB/BRISBANE APPROACH GOLD COAST B
are the official sector names as described in the designated airspace handbook (DAH) (page 2)
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This staffing is getting to be a joke. Airservices must do something about it as their slash and burn is becoming exposed as there is just no staff to work the sectors. The Oceanic Sectors including the airspace of other countries has been in a TIBA situation 3 times in the last week I wonder how long until the contracts on the provision of services there are reviewed/cancelled.
Why has a media outlet not got a hold of this. A Telstralike government organisation not providing the services. The public has a very low tolerance for unsafe things in aviation and I am certain would be interested.
Why has a media outlet not got a hold of this. A Telstralike government organisation not providing the services. The public has a very low tolerance for unsafe things in aviation and I am certain would be interested.
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Whooaa steady there old fella.
Let's get back to square one.
There has been a rentless campaign by Airlines, the Govt and the tin foil cohort
to user pays for God knows how long and the hunt continues for cost reductions that have clearly been absent for yonks.
I don't know whether the corollary is apt or not but when one goes on a Nazi weight loss diet, apart from stripping fat it also strips muscle, sinew and skeletal material along with it. The brain being smarter than the rest of the body looks after it self, it has to or the whole thing falls apart, it is and has to be the last thing to go. Usually what happens in extremis there is a large organ failure first.
Tin Foil Leader and his mates can rant at the edges all day, but it's the airlines who control the day, comparing or attempting to, our Airservices costs with more densely populated countries is like trying to set up a Special Economic Zone at Giles.
Airservices always did and still belongs with a Government funded organisation.
To expect a private company to cost recover from a uneconomic base which refuses to recognise that if it wants First World services it has to pay for it in relation to an economic base AND not have the Sovereign risk protection that Governement enjoys is Pollyanna.
Efficient yes Government or Private, but how can you be efficient if you are structurally weak and muscle poor.
And we wont go near Tin Foil Leaders billion dollar dalliances.
I dare say were we to put a credible Business Consulting and HR firm through the place they would get a tick for business management and quality processes but a big fat zero for resourcing. There would be a recommendation to raise revenue rates to provide the resources necessary to fulfill their service obligation or and theres two chances it would happen get the Government to hand back the Capital they took out in the first place.
Let's get back to square one.
There has been a rentless campaign by Airlines, the Govt and the tin foil cohort
to user pays for God knows how long and the hunt continues for cost reductions that have clearly been absent for yonks.I don't know whether the corollary is apt or not but when one goes on a Nazi weight loss diet, apart from stripping fat it also strips muscle, sinew and skeletal material along with it. The brain being smarter than the rest of the body looks after it self, it has to or the whole thing falls apart, it is and has to be the last thing to go. Usually what happens in extremis there is a large organ failure first.
Tin Foil Leader and his mates can rant at the edges all day, but it's the airlines who control the day, comparing or attempting to, our Airservices costs with more densely populated countries is like trying to set up a Special Economic Zone at Giles.
Airservices always did and still belongs with a Government funded organisation.
To expect a private company to cost recover from a uneconomic base which refuses to recognise that if it wants First World services it has to pay for it in relation to an economic base AND not have the Sovereign risk protection that Governement enjoys is Pollyanna.
Efficient yes Government or Private, but how can you be efficient if you are structurally weak and muscle poor.
And we wont go near Tin Foil Leaders billion dollar dalliances.
I dare say were we to put a credible Business Consulting and HR firm through the place they would get a tick for business management and quality processes but a big fat zero for resourcing. There would be a recommendation to raise revenue rates to provide the resources necessary to fulfill their service obligation or and theres two chances it would happen get the Government to hand back the Capital they took out in the first place.
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When the provider of Air Traffic Control in this country cannot provide services in what would I expect to be their number one priority areas there is a serious problem. A capital city TMA goes TIBA today, 15 International jets are in UNCONTROLLED airspace over the Tasman due to staff shortage at once this week, the same airspace goes down twice more, tonight all control over 1/4 of NSW is not staffed, etc, etc, wait for more.
This is disgraceful. I echo the above that Airservices must do something now. The ball has been in their court since they decided to run best case scenario rosters with absolutely no fat to cover staff illness. This is not some ASO3 position where the paper will keep piling up. Companies expect and deserve services from what is an essential service(wait for this to be dictated come Oct 25 when the ATCs walk out).
No Idea you have AsA hmm........
This is disgraceful. I echo the above that Airservices must do something now. The ball has been in their court since they decided to run best case scenario rosters with absolutely no fat to cover staff illness. This is not some ASO3 position where the paper will keep piling up. Companies expect and deserve services from what is an essential service(wait for this to be dictated come Oct 25 when the ATCs walk out).
No Idea you have AsA hmm........
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Yes, an absolute joke.
And I can assure you all there is no 'official' or 'un-official' industrial action taking place to cause this, in bleak city anyway.
With a management to plonker ratio of around 3:1 makes it even more farcical.
ASA, the Telstra of the airways.
And I can assure you all there is no 'official' or 'un-official' industrial action taking place to cause this, in bleak city anyway.
With a management to plonker ratio of around 3:1 makes it even more farcical.
ASA, the Telstra of the airways.
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Yet there are those of use who may be willing to come home and AsA are not interested in coming up with a package that makes it attractive enough. Couple of years ago I had a discussion with a HR guy and he said that he didn't see the need to recruit controller's with previous experience because AsA could train their way out of any perceived shortfall. Well that seems to be working really well!!!!
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BT,
Worse than that. The current number of ab-initio controllers being trained will not even cover the number of staff expected to retire in 2005/6!
Given that there are also unexpected resignations every year, expect the staffing situation to get worse, not better!
Worse than that. The current number of ab-initio controllers being trained will not even cover the number of staff expected to retire in 2005/6!
Given that there are also unexpected resignations every year, expect the staffing situation to get worse, not better!
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I don't understand the psych of ASA controllers. If you don't want to work on your rostered day off - then DON'T. It's quite simple. If you do then I am guessing they are the one's not complaining.
The problem appears to be that there is more than enough controllers willing to work constant extra hours, have little in the way of a social life, give half of their earnings to the government and keep ASA management operating with a bare bones roster. This is a time bomb that will go off eventually where two airplanes will come together because of controller fatigue after working so many extra shifts he/she doesn't know what day of the week it is!
Oh yeah, and I bet somewhere in the contract it says it is the responsibility of the controller to identify and acknowledge when they are not fit for duty!
Maybe the union is too weak to handle the might of ASA upper management!!!
I do know that there are a few Aus-expat controllers in Canada that have a little black cross sitting next to there name? Don't think they will be coming home to nest anytime soon!
The problem appears to be that there is more than enough controllers willing to work constant extra hours, have little in the way of a social life, give half of their earnings to the government and keep ASA management operating with a bare bones roster. This is a time bomb that will go off eventually where two airplanes will come together because of controller fatigue after working so many extra shifts he/she doesn't know what day of the week it is!
Oh yeah, and I bet somewhere in the contract it says it is the responsibility of the controller to identify and acknowledge when they are not fit for duty!
Maybe the union is too weak to handle the might of ASA upper management!!!
I do know that there are a few Aus-expat controllers in Canada that have a little black cross sitting next to there name? Don't think they will be coming home to nest anytime soon!
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It's hard for the union because they don't have a whole lot of clout. The only way the union and its membership can make ASA management sit up and listen is by (protected) industrial action. When this happens, Jane Citizen misses her son's wedding in Perth, and John Doe misses his mums funeral in Darwin, all because ATC's "want more money". Public opinion is bent by Mr. Dudley's media releases to this effect and the union look like red ragging rabble rousers. It's 
ed, but thats life
ed, but thats life
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Hempy,
What do you mean? The union don't have a whole lot of clout? They should?! And the majority of the controllers should be the driving force behind that clout and if they want change, they are going to have fight hard and bloody for it - it would seem. And it is my guess that the minority that appear to be undermining the necessity for change should be dragged back into line by the union to achieve those changes that are long over due. The working conditions ASA controllers are working under is a joke and a time bomb of incredibly ridiculous proportions. You should see what the union has achieved for their controllers on that little island just south east of Australia - New Zealand is what they call it. (sorry, had to make joke out of that one).
Their conditions are pretty fantastic and it wouldn't hurt for the negotiators here to get together with theirs and have a little chat. I think they need too.
What do you mean? The union don't have a whole lot of clout? They should?! And the majority of the controllers should be the driving force behind that clout and if they want change, they are going to have fight hard and bloody for it - it would seem. And it is my guess that the minority that appear to be undermining the necessity for change should be dragged back into line by the union to achieve those changes that are long over due. The working conditions ASA controllers are working under is a joke and a time bomb of incredibly ridiculous proportions. You should see what the union has achieved for their controllers on that little island just south east of Australia - New Zealand is what they call it. (sorry, had to make joke out of that one).
Their conditions are pretty fantastic and it wouldn't hurt for the negotiators here to get together with theirs and have a little chat. I think they need too.
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It's hard for the union because they don't have a whole lot of clout
Public opinion is bent by Mr. Dudley's media releases to this effect and the union look like red ragging rabble rousers
I was recently delayed because of a baggage handlers dispute of some sort. Although everyone was pissed off, the sympathy was tangible.
You might be shocked how much public support you could garner.
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Tennis what do you mean by your last statement re- little black crosses against names. Surely AsA wouldn't be that spiteful unless people really burnt their bridges on the way out!!!
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One has to admit that some bridges were at least singed when some left. One in paticular is still talked about to this day. Awsome stuff to be able to unplug, walk out, throw the ID to the guard and say 'Keep it, I won't need it again'. HUGE!
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There are a few who have burnt bridges at home as well as abroad and believe it or not ASA are aware of them.
I'm not sure what it is exactly that drives ASA the way it does. It's an incredibly negative environment that serves no industry at all. Controllers nowadays are paid poorly in relative terms to 20 years ago against the average wage earner of today and the responsibility factor has increased significantly. They will only realise their mistakes when they come to retire. Get an accountant to do the numbers on how much in super just one percent will cost them in 20 years. Something around $250000 plus just for starters.
What I think has happened is that the controllers have become less forceful and the union just aren't up to the task. There needs to be major reform. And the minority that keep the system running for management need to be re-calibrated! Like I said before, investigate what/whothey, we consider our poorer cousins earning the pacific peso to the south east, get in the way of pay and more importantly CONDITIONS and I bet you ASA controllers would drop their jaw and lose a filling or two. If that didn't invoke an emotion then maybe ASA controllers are their own worst enemy in improving things. I wish them all the best in their efforts for this years negotiations and I hope they get what they want and hope they are after alot. And everytime the board says they won't or can't turn up to a round of negotiations, I would go to the Industrial Relations Commissioner and make them wield the big hammer. Show them they mean business - period! The ASA board aren't going to give anything away without a fight - so start fighting boys and girls!!!
I'm not sure what it is exactly that drives ASA the way it does. It's an incredibly negative environment that serves no industry at all. Controllers nowadays are paid poorly in relative terms to 20 years ago against the average wage earner of today and the responsibility factor has increased significantly. They will only realise their mistakes when they come to retire. Get an accountant to do the numbers on how much in super just one percent will cost them in 20 years. Something around $250000 plus just for starters.
What I think has happened is that the controllers have become less forceful and the union just aren't up to the task. There needs to be major reform. And the minority that keep the system running for management need to be re-calibrated! Like I said before, investigate what/whothey, we consider our poorer cousins earning the pacific peso to the south east, get in the way of pay and more importantly CONDITIONS and I bet you ASA controllers would drop their jaw and lose a filling or two. If that didn't invoke an emotion then maybe ASA controllers are their own worst enemy in improving things. I wish them all the best in their efforts for this years negotiations and I hope they get what they want and hope they are after alot. And everytime the board says they won't or can't turn up to a round of negotiations, I would go to the Industrial Relations Commissioner and make them wield the big hammer. Show them they mean business - period! The ASA board aren't going to give anything away without a fight - so start fighting boys and girls!!!