ATC Staff Shortages?
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ATC Staff Shortages?
Air controller 'fatigue threat' | The Australian
So, perhaps all the staffing departures, from TOPS in particular, are starting to make a difference.
So, perhaps all the staffing departures, from TOPS in particular, are starting to make a difference.
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Its only getting worse.
The exodus of staff is starting to really bite, with no replacements on the horiizon.
The Learning Academy is a farce, they havent churned out more than a dozen trainees into the field this year. This doesn't cover the sand pit "transfers", let alone retirements.
Start dusting off you TIBA procedures.
And its not even close to renegotiating the agreement....
The exodus of staff is starting to really bite, with no replacements on the horiizon.
The Learning Academy is a farce, they havent churned out more than a dozen trainees into the field this year. This doesn't cover the sand pit "transfers", let alone retirements.
Start dusting off you TIBA procedures.
And its not even close to renegotiating the agreement....
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Yes, in breaking news it has been revealed that two first names has realised that ATC has an age profile problem 
Yes, 8 years after being told that ATC had an impending age profile problem, he and his ATC hating minions in clown castle have realised there is an age profile problem
As for the other staffing issues, 8 years after being told there is a staffing problem in ATC..........................
Yes, 8 years after being told that ATC had an impending age profile problem, he and his ATC hating minions in clown castle have realised there is an age profile problem As for the other staffing issues, 8 years after being told there is a staffing problem in ATC..........................
Last edited by Jack Ranga; 20th Oct 2010 at 23:34.
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Tiba
Start dusting off you TIBA procedures.
Is it time for a repost of THAT MAP for the newbies and younger generations benefit.......I'll have it some where
J
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AsA management are busting their a*#ses to prevent "contingency procedures" (TIBA) from being implemented.
Now.
Give it 12 mths when negotiations begin for the next EBA and just watch the number of TIBA's that are "allowed" to occur by management as those renagade controllers begin their campaign of industrial saboatge.
If only the industry and the flying public realised the number of times airspace closures have been averted by the dedication and commitment of coalface controllers that bendover backwards to ensure "service continuity". How often do we see a press release about the number of controllers that reorganise their lives at short notice to ensure that the flying public enjoys the level of safety they should expect from a first world ATC provider?
But should controllers legitimately exercise their obligations not to work under the affects of fatigue or sickness that occassionally creates a situation where there are no viable replacements available because the roster pool has been slashed to the absolute minimum and the result is TIBA or significant disruptions at major hubs, then watch the witch hunt and the negative publicity against controllers fly.
Beware, AsA is running on the smell of an oily rag and there is nothing left in the tank.
Now.
Give it 12 mths when negotiations begin for the next EBA and just watch the number of TIBA's that are "allowed" to occur by management as those renagade controllers begin their campaign of industrial saboatge.
If only the industry and the flying public realised the number of times airspace closures have been averted by the dedication and commitment of coalface controllers that bendover backwards to ensure "service continuity". How often do we see a press release about the number of controllers that reorganise their lives at short notice to ensure that the flying public enjoys the level of safety they should expect from a first world ATC provider?
But should controllers legitimately exercise their obligations not to work under the affects of fatigue or sickness that occassionally creates a situation where there are no viable replacements available because the roster pool has been slashed to the absolute minimum and the result is TIBA or significant disruptions at major hubs, then watch the witch hunt and the negative publicity against controllers fly.
Beware, AsA is running on the smell of an oily rag and there is nothing left in the tank.
Last edited by idb; 23rd Oct 2010 at 11:21. Reason: late night grammar check
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Beware, AsA is running on the smell of an oily rag and there is nothing left in the tank.
ASA - Voted itself Australia's favourite Air Traffic Control provider for the 7th year in a row!
Last edited by flightfocus; 23rd Oct 2010 at 15:46. Reason: * Missed some corporate spin references. Doh!
RE.." controllers that bendover backwards to ensure "service continuity"...
Not to mention - at all - those others who bend over frontwards - seemingly to enhance their own 'little, small minded position' in the 'heirarchy'.....
To the Workers - well done guys and gals!!!
To the Wa*#ers - well.....wot can one say......except, go forth.......
Bah Humbug!!
Not to mention - at all - those others who bend over frontwards - seemingly to enhance their own 'little, small minded position' in the 'heirarchy'.....
To the Workers - well done guys and gals!!!
To the Wa*#ers - well.....wot can one say......except, go forth.......
Bah Humbug!!
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All those who stood up and said there was a staffing problem were moved on and some just saw how toxic the management was behaving and left.
It is a 'broken' system if overtime is required to keep it running. ATCs like anyone else deserve their downtime - not being constantly harrassed to come in to work.
Bullying, blacklists, using fear as a management tool - it is scary how similar the organisation is to a facist regime.
If the monumental waste of money on 'business development' activities (lets talk GRAS/GBAS/etc) had been diverted to staffing and domestic technology we would not be having this discussion.
Will it change? Of course not. The minister and chairman have spent too much time backing what is occurring.
It is a 'broken' system if overtime is required to keep it running. ATCs like anyone else deserve their downtime - not being constantly harrassed to come in to work.
Bullying, blacklists, using fear as a management tool - it is scary how similar the organisation is to a facist regime.
If the monumental waste of money on 'business development' activities (lets talk GRAS/GBAS/etc) had been diverted to staffing and domestic technology we would not be having this discussion.
Will it change? Of course not. The minister and chairman have spent too much time backing what is occurring.
If only the industry and the flying public realised the number of times airspace closures have been averted by the dedication and commitment of coalface controllers that bendover backwards to ensure "service continuity"
As much as I appreciate you keeping my flight in the air, as long as you continue to bust a gut (and chance fatigue and error) to artificially keep the system working ... there will be no change to the system.
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Is it possible to have some of YSRI (Richmond NSW) mil controllers take over some civvy duties as a secondment? They (YSRI) are active every weekend to manage a very tiny amount of traffic? It'd be good industry experience for them (mil guys) and provide some breaks for civvy guys. Just a thought.
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Bell-Flyer,
Blind Freddy was having a friendly joke with our RAAF counterparts.
The real answer to question is that it is not that simple. To train a qualified RAAF controller onto a civil position would take approx 6-12 months. ASA takes as many ex RAAF controllers as they can but the RAAF are not keen to give them up as they are always struggling to keep their numbers. The RAAF wouldn't release them on secondment to ASA as ASA would poach them ASAP. ASA also wouldn't want to use up a valuable and limited training slot unless they are going to get a full time controller.
Blind Freddy was having a friendly joke with our RAAF counterparts.
The real answer to question is that it is not that simple. To train a qualified RAAF controller onto a civil position would take approx 6-12 months. ASA takes as many ex RAAF controllers as they can but the RAAF are not keen to give them up as they are always struggling to keep their numbers. The RAAF wouldn't release them on secondment to ASA as ASA would poach them ASAP. ASA also wouldn't want to use up a valuable and limited training slot unless they are going to get a full time controller.
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its not that..........
They are not trained and kept current in the various sectors and roles that you think they could be usefull in.
I am no expert on all things ATC.....in fact know bugger all, but its fair to say you cannot drag a guy or girl out of the tower in Richmond and do say BN or SY APP just like that.
Just can't drag you out of your Bell fling wing and into a B747 at the drop of a hat if you get the idea.
Nice thought though.
They are not trained and kept current in the various sectors and roles that you think they could be usefull in.
I am no expert on all things ATC.....in fact know bugger all, but its fair to say you cannot drag a guy or girl out of the tower in Richmond and do say BN or SY APP just like that.
Just can't drag you out of your Bell fling wing and into a B747 at the drop of a hat if you get the idea.
Nice thought though.
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It's a concept that managers struggle with, as well.
Controllers learn to work a sector (several sectors, in fact). However, EVERY sector is different, and just because you can work one sector, does not automatically mean you can work another (and that is not even taking up the issue of different roles- app/tower/enroute). The analogy for helicopters and 747s is apt.
It would be a managers wet dream to have sectors, or control positions, that are generic. Never, ever going to happen. (Some managers refuse to acknowledge that fact, bless them ;-) ).
Controllers learn to work a sector (several sectors, in fact). However, EVERY sector is different, and just because you can work one sector, does not automatically mean you can work another (and that is not even taking up the issue of different roles- app/tower/enroute). The analogy for helicopters and 747s is apt.
It would be a managers wet dream to have sectors, or control positions, that are generic. Never, ever going to happen. (Some managers refuse to acknowledge that fact, bless them ;-) ).
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My understanding is that even a fully trained ASA controller takes 12 months to be fully trained in a new port/position. This is not an area where you can apply the quick fix bandaid solutions that are all the modern manager is capable of, in aviation or other industries.
Across Australian business, crisis management and crossed fingers have kept a lot of morons in new Mercedes and most of the time they get away with it, but you can't just 'strategize for new paradigms or whatever's trendy this week' and supply a ready number of ATCs for a given position overnight, no matter how many 'incentives' you offer and how much you stamp your little Ferragamos.
Across Australian business, crisis management and crossed fingers have kept a lot of morons in new Mercedes and most of the time they get away with it, but you can't just 'strategize for new paradigms or whatever's trendy this week'
and supply a ready number of ATCs for a given position overnight, no matter how many 'incentives' you offer and how much you stamp your little Ferragamos.
Last edited by Worrals in the wilds; 25th Oct 2010 at 13:24. Reason: sorry Ferris, posting at the same time...
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RE.." controllers that bendover backwards to ensure "service continuity"...
Not to mention - at all - those others who bend over frontwards - seemingly to enhance their own 'little, small minded position' in the 'heirarchy'.....
Not to mention - at all - those others who bend over frontwards - seemingly to enhance their own 'little, small minded position' in the 'heirarchy'.....
All those who stood up and said there was a staffing problem were moved on and some just saw how toxic the management was behaving and left.
Bullying, blacklists, using fear as a management tool - it is scary how similar the organisation is to a facist regime.
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Thanks for enlightening me; I didn't know. I only suggested it because I deal almost daily with Richmond controllers and they seem downright bored out of their brains with the tiny bona fide mil traffic they have to deal with.
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The CEO once complained to a Senate hearing that it takes 2 years to train an ATC, but they only have to give 2 weeks notice
^^ maybe he should remember that when dealing with us
(forcing a 5 yr bond on the new people is not a solution - it often takes nearly that long to make them the equivalent of the Full performance controller who does only need to give 2 weeks notice)
^^ maybe he should remember that when dealing with us
(forcing a 5 yr bond on the new people is not a solution - it often takes nearly that long to make them the equivalent of the Full performance controller who does only need to give 2 weeks notice)