Hello once again and welcome to "Who Wants To Be An SDE Controller"
and might I say how absolutely sensational you are all looking this evening!
This is PC with you once again, and some of you might remember me when I used to be called "Guy Smiley" on another game show. Of course you do!

Now ladies and gentlemen, which SDE feature would you like revealed on this auspicious occasion? The one behind this sparkly curtain .....(Ooooooh!) or the one in this shimmering box .......(Aaaaah)

Oh dear, is that the time? Fans, unfortunately we are right out of time on this occasion, but be sure to join us again when we attempt to reveal a winning feature of SDE on, "Who Wants To Be An SDE Controller"

The GSH is dressed by Anthony Squires, shoes by John Kan'tCondoneUs

Gooday Coral,

I have notice a few lately where delays for start clearances etc due traffic management have been published.

Look again and you might see! :ok:

As it's been explained to me (a long, long way away now- or 'a safe distance' ;) )

Airspace no longer 'closes'- the workload is merely 'managed'. i.e. Whereas previously, you might have a sector go TIBA due to not enough staff, NOW they leave that sector open, combine it with another sector (sometimes with someone not rated on that sector), but reduce the flow rate dramatically. Tadaahhh! NO TIBA. The airlines still cop a rogering (delays) due to AsA's cost shifting, but there are more smoke and mirrors so that it doesn't end up in the papers. No more "please explains". It just appears as a 'traffic delay'.
I tell you, managers are worth every penny.

You guys will be pleased to know that if we are lucky ASA management might respond directly to this thread as they did to the ASA one over in ATC issues.

Check it out - they do read PPrune.

In that case, JH, any truth to the rumour that SDE is getting:

The ar$e?
The Heave-Ho?
The flick?
Sh!t canned?
Turfed?
Rolled back?

And is that before/after that imbecile in the academy gets the ar$e? etc

g'day Jabawocky,
There have been a few instances recently of start clearances.

One instance had to do with extended single runway operations at Sydney, meaning the sectors feeding the traffic into Sydney become overloaded, hence the start clearances. No use letting aircraft taking off if the holding stack is already full.

Another instance was due to a thunderstorm overhead Sydney airport itself. This rendered the airport unusable for half an hour, leading to similar issues with traffic holding as mentioned above.

These are only a couple of instances that I am familiar with, and they were directly related to traffic management.
Thats not to say that there were other instances that were not related to traffic management, if you've got some examples, do divulge

Hope you Aust ATC guys/ladies are supporting your Qantas industry brothers who are in "negotiations" at the moment over pay and conditions and job security. It sounds like they are getting a shafting like you guys will probably get when your "negotiation" starts - as per usual ASA tactics.

You might want to think ahead and support those who you will ask for support later down the track.

Just a thought.

Baileys, what can we do to help? Happy to oblige. I have been watching AsA almost replicate Qantas tactics in recent years. Our base has been divided into 3 distinct groups (QF, jet* & Q-Link similarities) where we have no doubt we will eventually be enticed to play off against each other.

Solidarity, folks. Good luck.:ok:

It seems to be a common thread with the Aust Govn agencies at the moment when negotiating agreements;

Here is a link if your interested in reading more.
CPSU: Campaigns: CPSU takes Federal Government agencies covering 100 000 workers to Fair Work Australia

Staff Shortages
 

Staff Shortages claimed Brissie App yesterday. Massive delays. Up to 40mins at one stage. 4 min trails I believe.

I have it on good authority there was no mention of any 'Staff Shortages' in the notam.

'Operational Restrictions' was the term used if my info is correct.

Rumour has it the situation in Sydney has not improved either.

Thank god i`m not part of the mess anymore! Good luck to those remaining with a new EBA around the corner. No doubt youse all deserve a "Damn good payrise"!:yuk:

The ATIS advised of delays and the NOTAM for traffic holding due to single RWY ops had 30 holding.

ATIS YBBN T
RWY: 19
OPR INFO: DELAYS TO ALL AIRCRAFT
FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
WIND: 260/8
CLD: CAVOK
TMP: 14
QNH: 1016
SIGWX: MOD TURB FORECAST BLW 5000

College of Knowledge
 

So, how are things at the Academy these days?

.......Just wondering ;)

Gold Star young man!

As has been stated previously, you will not see that phrase again in a NOTAM.

It has been banished to the far reaches. The full weight of management wrath awaits any mortal with the audacity to tell the truth. :ugh:

Last year some time we received an internal instruction that those words must be removed from all NOTAM pro formas - staffing problem solved. Bonus time!!!

Unfortunately the delays and holding that you often see are frequently due to restrictions imposed upon ATC's by the lack of staff. Recently saw COORD come through asking for 5mins between aircraft departing on same SID.

Result = you get delayed and blame ATC, but the reality is everyone (left) in the background is working like a one armed paper hanger making sure you get there safely with absolute minimum resources.

Now we are going to rebrand ourselves so we can be reborn and put all these pesky staffing issues behind us. ONce we have a new brand, we have a) a line to judge our achievements by and b) a shiny new ball to distract the YSCB HQ dwellers from the real issues. :{

Well not until CA/EBA negotiations next year, and then I am sure it will be seen again, on a daily basis.