'Renegade' controllers leave pilots flying blind: air chief
Just Binos
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Mackay, Australia
Age: 71
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V91, max1,
OK, perhaps I was a bit harsh, but I was trying to dispel the aura that all the off-line people in the past were knights.
I agree that the Airservices and its predecessors of the past and their culture are gone, and I trace this directly to the arrival of TFN.
OK, perhaps I was a bit harsh, but I was trying to dispel the aura that all the off-line people in the past were knights.
I agree that the Airservices and its predecessors of the past and their culture are gone, and I trace this directly to the arrival of TFN.
His positon looks untenable, but I question whether there is anybody else who can do better, given the underlying tenet that the bottom line is the only line.
Let's face it, the golden days of aviation are gone, the bean counters now run the show.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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the bean counters now run the show
This mess is AsA's making. It followed on from their slash and burn. If people no longer count, and it's just a business now- then MAKE THEM PAY. Don't be shy. If it takes charging $5000 per overtime shift to help AsA find enough staff to enable you to have your days off, as ENTITLED, then so be it. Speak to them in their language.
Join Date: Feb 2002
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There was a time it was a great place to work. When I talk to former colleagues they all refer to working in ATC in the 70's as 'fun'. The fun seems to have gone out of it.
I can't find the quote but someone earlier said that a large number of AsA staff were "poached" by overseas ANSPs.
That is simply not true. No organization, to my knowledge, actively pursued AsA staff - some of us simply saw the chance for a change and a broadening of our experience and had the intestinal fortitude to sign that resignation letter.
Whether or not I return to AsA one day, one thing is for certain - the experience I have gained is immeasurable compared to that sitting doing the same thing I was more than a decade ago.
To anyone contemplating doing the same - do it now. Life is too short to sit wondering what if.
P.S. If they ring you up and insist on you attending on your day off, feel free to use a well worn phrase from possibly the best Flow controller in history (yes, you RD) - "Go F
k your hat!"
Last edited by bekolblockage; 12th Aug 2008 at 16:42.
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I am an army of One - A Captain in the Continental Airlines army.
For years I was a loyal soldier in Gordon's army. Now I fight my own war.
I used to feel valued and respected. Now I know I am mere fodder.
They (CAL) used to exhibit labor leadership. Now they exploit legal loopholes.
They used to enjoy my maximum. Now they will suffer my minimum.
I am an army of One.
I used to save CAL a thousand pounds of fuel per leg; finding the best FL, getting direct routing, throttling back when on-time was made, skimping during ground ops, adjusting for winds, being smart and giving the company every effort I could conjure. Now, it's "burn baby, burn".
I used to call maintenance while airborne, so the part would be ready at the gate. Now, they'll find the write-up when they look in the book.
I used to try to fix problems in the system, now I sit and watch as the miscues pile up.
I used to fly sick. Now I use my sick days, on short notice, on the worst day of the month.
I am an army of One.
I used to start the APU at the last possible moment. Now my customers enjoy extreme comfort.
I used to let the price of fuel at out-stations affect my fuel orders. I still do.
I used to cover mistakes by operations. Now I watch them unfold.
I used to hustle to ensure an on-time arrival, to make us the best. Now I do it for the rampers and agents who need the bonus money….but this too may change.
I used to call dispatch for rerouting, to head off ground delays for bad weather. Now I collect overs, number 35 in line for takeoff.
I am on a new mission - to demonstrate that misguided leadership of indifference and disrespect has a cost. It's about character, not contracts. It's about leading by taking care of your people instead of leadership by bean counters (an oxymoron). With acts of omission, not commission, I am a one-man wrecking crew - an army of One. My mission used to be to make CAL rich. Now it's to make CAL pay.
When they furlough more pilots than the rest, pilots that cost them 60 cents on the dollar - I will make them pay.
When they under-staff bases and over-work reserves to keep pilots downgraded, down-flowed, or downtrodden - I will make them pay.
When over-booked customers are denied boarding system wide, while jets are parked in the desert - I will make them pay.
When they force pilots, who have waited 12 years to become captains, to be FOs again - I will make them pay.
When they ask CAL pilots to show leadership at Express, and then deny them longevity - I will make them pay.
When they recall F/As for the summer, just to furlough them again in the fall like migrant workers - I will make them pay.
When they constantly violate the letter and spirit of our contract - a contract that's a bargain by any measure, and force us to fight lengthy grievances - I will make them pay.
My negotiating committee speaks for me, but I act on my own. I am a walking nightmare to the bean counters that made me. Are you listening? This mercenary has a lot of years left with this company; how long can you afford to keep me bitter? I'm not looking for clauses in a contract, I'm looking for a culture of commitment and caring. When I see it, I'll be a soldier for CAL again. Until then, I am an Army of One…And I'm not alone!
For years I was a loyal soldier in Gordon's army. Now I fight my own war.
I used to feel valued and respected. Now I know I am mere fodder.
They (CAL) used to exhibit labor leadership. Now they exploit legal loopholes.
They used to enjoy my maximum. Now they will suffer my minimum.
I am an army of One.
I used to save CAL a thousand pounds of fuel per leg; finding the best FL, getting direct routing, throttling back when on-time was made, skimping during ground ops, adjusting for winds, being smart and giving the company every effort I could conjure. Now, it's "burn baby, burn".
I used to call maintenance while airborne, so the part would be ready at the gate. Now, they'll find the write-up when they look in the book.
I used to try to fix problems in the system, now I sit and watch as the miscues pile up.
I used to fly sick. Now I use my sick days, on short notice, on the worst day of the month.
I am an army of One.
I used to start the APU at the last possible moment. Now my customers enjoy extreme comfort.
I used to let the price of fuel at out-stations affect my fuel orders. I still do.
I used to cover mistakes by operations. Now I watch them unfold.
I used to hustle to ensure an on-time arrival, to make us the best. Now I do it for the rampers and agents who need the bonus money….but this too may change.
I used to call dispatch for rerouting, to head off ground delays for bad weather. Now I collect overs, number 35 in line for takeoff.
I am on a new mission - to demonstrate that misguided leadership of indifference and disrespect has a cost. It's about character, not contracts. It's about leading by taking care of your people instead of leadership by bean counters (an oxymoron). With acts of omission, not commission, I am a one-man wrecking crew - an army of One. My mission used to be to make CAL rich. Now it's to make CAL pay.
When they furlough more pilots than the rest, pilots that cost them 60 cents on the dollar - I will make them pay.
When they under-staff bases and over-work reserves to keep pilots downgraded, down-flowed, or downtrodden - I will make them pay.
When over-booked customers are denied boarding system wide, while jets are parked in the desert - I will make them pay.
When they force pilots, who have waited 12 years to become captains, to be FOs again - I will make them pay.
When they ask CAL pilots to show leadership at Express, and then deny them longevity - I will make them pay.
When they recall F/As for the summer, just to furlough them again in the fall like migrant workers - I will make them pay.
When they constantly violate the letter and spirit of our contract - a contract that's a bargain by any measure, and force us to fight lengthy grievances - I will make them pay.
My negotiating committee speaks for me, but I act on my own. I am a walking nightmare to the bean counters that made me. Are you listening? This mercenary has a lot of years left with this company; how long can you afford to keep me bitter? I'm not looking for clauses in a contract, I'm looking for a culture of commitment and caring. When I see it, I'll be a soldier for CAL again. Until then, I am an Army of One…And I'm not alone!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NSW- 3rd world state
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NFR, don't give away our secret mate. All the other bastards will come around to join us and then a new centre will suddenly be built in your shed.
To the rest of you shattered an unhappy people in ASA, leave. I did and it was simply the best thing that I ever did in my working career. It doesn't matter what you do in life, if your not valued or wanted by your employer, go elsewhere or do something else. Life is too short.
You will be much happier with your life once you make the break from ASA. trust me.
To the rest of you shattered an unhappy people in ASA, leave. I did and it was simply the best thing that I ever did in my working career. It doesn't matter what you do in life, if your not valued or wanted by your employer, go elsewhere or do something else. Life is too short.
You will be much happier with your life once you make the break from ASA. trust me.
