Mega Merged: AsA ATC staffing levels
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: 24 27 45.66N 54 22 42.28E
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JH is in my personal dealings with him a pretty good bloke and as has been mentioned, has been effectively been handed the keys to the titanic (yes I know the titanic probably didn't have keys but you know what I mean). Watching CANTY sector at 4 in the morning was more interesting than watching him bat, but I won't hold that against him 
What I will say though is that he had his chance on the big stage to show that he was going to (as an old instructor of mine called Steve Stevens used to say) "grab the problem by the balls and not let go till it was fixed". Instead he came out with the usual company speak. If only the interview had gone like this...
SEVERE shortages of air traffic controllers are causing major headaches for Airservices Australia.
A Senate estimates committee today heard details of air traffic control towers left understaffed and at times unstaffed because of sickness and a lack of controllers.
"We do have a severe shortage of air traffic controllers," the general manager of air traffic control for Airservices Australia Jason Harfield told the hearing.
"One of the factors that exacerbates our problem is that it takes at least two years from somebody off the street to be qualified as an air traffic controllerand so we are going to expedite this process by sending job offers to the substantial number of ex-employees controlling overseas to entice them home, while substantially increasing the current package to ensure we keep all the controllers we have.
"We have had a largenumber of service interruptions, particularly over the last six to 12 months and I apologise on behalf of Airservices as it is completely unacceptable."
Labor senator Kerry O'Brien detailed a series of events during the past week where the number of air traffic controllers had been fewer than required, and asked whether the "stories that are out and about" were true.
For example, he said, last Friday between 2.30pm (AEDT) and 6pm, and from 9pm until midnight, there was only one air traffic controller on duty for Sydney arrivals from Melbourne, when normally there were three people available.
Mr Harfield said that was not quite accurate but services had been delayed because of past poor planning resulting in staffing being too thin.
"The situation was managed so that the service could be provided but it was still an unacceptable situation and I will do all in my power to make sure it never happens again," he said.
"There were restrictions placed on how traffic would flow through the airspace to ensure that the system wasn't overloaded and provision was made to provide breaks to the controller and I personally would like to thank that controller for saving our bacon yet again."
Senator O'Brien continued his line of questioning, asking about closures at the Launceston air traffic control centre last weekend.
"Launceston tower closed early Sunday night," he said.
Mr Harfield admitted he was unaware of the closure at Launceston but admitted there are huge staffing problems there and he would make sure those problems are resolved.
"It did open late on Sunday, that was a result of the morning shift at Launceston tower going sick and the tower being inadequately staffed meaning there was a lack of staff availableand we were unable to get a replacement staff member.
"At the moment staff members at Launceston, the normal establishment is six which is not enough and we will increase it as soon as is practicable."
Mr Harfield said one person working at Launceston was on long-term sick leave.
"We've just gone through a selection process to find a number ofreplacements."
I know I'm dreamin
What I will say though is that he had his chance on the big stage to show that he was going to (as an old instructor of mine called Steve Stevens used to say) "grab the problem by the balls and not let go till it was fixed". Instead he came out with the usual company speak. If only the interview had gone like this...
SEVERE shortages of air traffic controllers are causing major headaches for Airservices Australia.
A Senate estimates committee today heard details of air traffic control towers left understaffed and at times unstaffed because of sickness and a lack of controllers.
"We do have a severe shortage of air traffic controllers," the general manager of air traffic control for Airservices Australia Jason Harfield told the hearing.
"One of the factors that exacerbates our problem is that it takes at least two years from somebody off the street to be qualified as an air traffic controllerand so we are going to expedite this process by sending job offers to the substantial number of ex-employees controlling overseas to entice them home, while substantially increasing the current package to ensure we keep all the controllers we have.
"We have had a largenumber of service interruptions, particularly over the last six to 12 months and I apologise on behalf of Airservices as it is completely unacceptable."
Labor senator Kerry O'Brien detailed a series of events during the past week where the number of air traffic controllers had been fewer than required, and asked whether the "stories that are out and about" were true.
For example, he said, last Friday between 2.30pm (AEDT) and 6pm, and from 9pm until midnight, there was only one air traffic controller on duty for Sydney arrivals from Melbourne, when normally there were three people available.
Mr Harfield said that was not quite accurate but services had been delayed because of past poor planning resulting in staffing being too thin.
"The situation was managed so that the service could be provided but it was still an unacceptable situation and I will do all in my power to make sure it never happens again," he said.
"There were restrictions placed on how traffic would flow through the airspace to ensure that the system wasn't overloaded and provision was made to provide breaks to the controller and I personally would like to thank that controller for saving our bacon yet again."
Senator O'Brien continued his line of questioning, asking about closures at the Launceston air traffic control centre last weekend.
"Launceston tower closed early Sunday night," he said.
Mr Harfield admitted he was unaware of the closure at Launceston but admitted there are huge staffing problems there and he would make sure those problems are resolved.
"It did open late on Sunday, that was a result of the morning shift at Launceston tower going sick and the tower being inadequately staffed meaning there was a lack of staff availableand we were unable to get a replacement staff member.
"At the moment staff members at Launceston, the normal establishment is six which is not enough and we will increase it as soon as is practicable."
Mr Harfield said one person working at Launceston was on long-term sick leave.
"We've just gone through a selection process to find a number ofreplacements."
I know I'm dreamin
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by AirNoServicesAustralia
and so we are going to expedite this process by sending job offers to the substantial number of ex-employees controlling overseas to entice them home, while substantially increasing the current package to ensure we keep all the controllers we have.
Originally Posted by AirNoServicesAustralia
but admitted there are huge staffing problems there and he would make sure those problems are resolved.
Originally Posted by AirNoServicesAustralia
I know I'm dreamin
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr Harfield admitted he was unaware of the closure at Launceston.
"At the moment staff members at Launceston, the normal establishment is six"
The situation at Launceston could well have been the resolved two months ago but for the adversarial attitude of management.
One of the management team responsible was moved sideways. His underling is still there. JH needs to show that he is willing to bite the bullet and remove that man before he causes more damage.
Palm Fruit BEGONE!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
direct.no.speed said
From Wikipedia
I think they have. It's been a damn sight longer than 5 years.
Next thing you will be saying that someone in Canberra is editing the entry on Wikipedia that has been there for a few weeks.
Airservices Australia has over the past 5 years failed to employ enough Air Traffic Controllers, Technicians and other essential support staff, in an apparent strategy to maintain or increase the profits to its government shareholder.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by direct.no.speed
So what.
So is "cobber" coming back to the LT tower or as ArseholesAustralia management stuck up his backside once to often?
Miss you "cobber " if you are out their in Ppruneland.
Miss you "cobber " if you are out their in Ppruneland.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our friend Scurvy is still being screwed from pillar to post. I asked him yesterday how things were going and he is still waiting for management to make up their minds.
Hang in their "cobber", just make sure they use a condom while they are trying to screw you, you don't know where those management types have been or have done to climb the corporate ladder.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Back again.
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the guys worried about yellow/red screens, you might try a few workarounds. Run a google search and link from there, or bring a USB drive to work loaded with Firefox, etc., or try a USB storage device loaded with your own version of Windows and a browser.
Pardoned PPRuNer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: GlassGumtree
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the guys worried about yellow/red screens, you might try a few workarounds. Run a google search and link from there, or bring a USB drive to work loaded with Firefox, etc., or try a USB storage device loaded with your own version of Windows and a browser.
TT
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DON'T PANIC
Fear not Odie Juan. It's time to roll out the new improbability drive. Before you know it the penguins will take the helm and we'll all be as safe as a whale and a bowl of petunias.
Improbability factor of 10,000,000 and rising.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Classic OJK 
From elsewhere:
The International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) will be taking place in Australia from 18 to 28 February 2008. USOAP comprises regular, mandatory, systematic and harmonized safety audits of member States' effective implementation of ICAO standards and recommended practices. This is Australia's first audit under the expanded USOAP that began in 2005.
The USOAP Audit team will be meeting with all relevant government agencies, including the Department of Infrastructure, ATSB, CASA, AMSA, BOM and Airservices. The audit team will be visiting Airservices head office as well as Canberra ARFF and Melbourne air traffic and tower operations. Safety Management will be the focus of the audit, led by *** ******. There will be minimal interruption to operations. All relevant staff have been made aware of the audit program.
Airservices supports the USOAP Audit as an important test that Australia's aviation safety oversight, and Airservices operations, remain world-class. Australia has a reputation as a leading aviation country and has always been a strong supporter and contributor to ICAO. The team will present initial findings at the closing session, with the final report finalised later in the year.
From elsewhere:
The International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) will be taking place in Australia from 18 to 28 February 2008. USOAP comprises regular, mandatory, systematic and harmonized safety audits of member States' effective implementation of ICAO standards and recommended practices. This is Australia's first audit under the expanded USOAP that began in 2005.
The USOAP Audit team will be meeting with all relevant government agencies, including the Department of Infrastructure, ATSB, CASA, AMSA, BOM and Airservices. The audit team will be visiting Airservices head office as well as Canberra ARFF and Melbourne air traffic and tower operations. Safety Management will be the focus of the audit, led by *** ******. There will be minimal interruption to operations. All relevant staff have been made aware of the audit program.
Airservices supports the USOAP Audit as an important test that Australia's aviation safety oversight, and Airservices operations, remain world-class. Australia has a reputation as a leading aviation country and has always been a strong supporter and contributor to ICAO. The team will present initial findings at the closing session, with the final report finalised later in the year.
Last edited by Bill Woodfull; 21st Feb 2008 at 05:27.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Melbourne
Age: 53
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OJK, quite brilliant mate. After listening to the spin doctors of ASA over the course of the last few years, your creative prose creates some much needed humour in a very disconsolate workplace environment. You are a breath of fresh air at a time the coalface workers are fighting to keep their heads above the surface...... I want some of what you're on.....
BTW - it's my observation that we are our own worst enemies at the moment. WTF - the amount of overtime some of my collegues are doing is unbelievable. How do we expect to get our point across if we keep propping up a flawed system? Have a think about it people................
BTW - it's my observation that we are our own worst enemies at the moment. WTF - the amount of overtime some of my collegues are doing is unbelievable. How do we expect to get our point across if we keep propping up a flawed system? Have a think about it people................
