you won't believe this
In recent memory, at the secret Oxon airbase, the Stn Adj was heard to say that Aircrew should do the Sat/Sun OO duty as they were used to working at weekends. It would have been a great wind up but I fear it was a genuine comment.
About the same time Admin Wg did not attend the Flight Safety day as "Flight Safety is nothing to do with us"
BTW close the bases over Xmas? - Have another look at those AD, AT, SAR etc commitments. Why not ask those who do not contribute to the 24/7 tasks to take on the Stn duties over their "grant".
About the same time Admin Wg did not attend the Flight Safety day as "Flight Safety is nothing to do with us"
BTW close the bases over Xmas? - Have another look at those AD, AT, SAR etc commitments. Why not ask those who do not contribute to the 24/7 tasks to take on the Stn duties over their "grant".
On a slightly different tack, I remember occupying the duty bunk at the Compassionate Cell at Innsworth the day after Boxing Day 3 years ago. I believe it's true to say that no-one minds doing this; it's the one duty where you truly make a difference. The bunk is always manned and there is always someone at the end of the phone; death and serious illness is no respecter of the festive season. I've lost count of the times that I've got someone home from abroad to be with their loved ones when they have been needed. It is one of the things that we in the Services do really well. But I digress.....
Imagine my reaction on this occasion when the phone went in the late afternoon and I found some air cdre on the other end of the line. No pleasantries or howdedos.
'Compassionate Cell. Sqn Ldr .... speaking.'
'Ah... Air Cdre ....... here. Do you have the New Year's Honours List there?'
'I don't think so.'
'Could you find out for me?'
'I'm sorry sir, this is the Compassionate Cell. I can't help you. Goodbye.'
Felt good that.
Imagine my reaction on this occasion when the phone went in the late afternoon and I found some air cdre on the other end of the line. No pleasantries or howdedos.
'Compassionate Cell. Sqn Ldr .... speaking.'
'Ah... Air Cdre ....... here. Do you have the New Year's Honours List there?'
'I don't think so.'
'Could you find out for me?'
'I'm sorry sir, this is the Compassionate Cell. I can't help you. Goodbye.'
Felt good that.
Good to see that the blunt wing at Brize have not changed their attitudes. Back in the late 90s, just when Desert Fox kicked off, the country's premier tanker squadron had to deploy 3 additional crews to Bahrain a week before Christmas and with 48 hours notice. Not many Christmases bu**ered up their then?
That was on top of the 2 crews doing QRA in MPA, the one crew already in Bahrain and the equivalent crews who were flying out between Christmas and New Year to do the dets over New Year. Who was providing SDO on 2 of the 3 bank holidays over the festive period? The same Sqn!!!!
IIRC Admin provided 1, Eng 1 and ATC 1 over the rest of the period from 23 Dec to 03 Jan. And OC Admin (she of the aforementioned "Flight Safety is nothing to do with Admin Wing" fame) had the gall to tell us that Christmas duties had to be shared equally amongst all station personnel. Nothing changes...... but perhaps we should link this topic to the "Why are people leaving in droves?" topic!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of those who are on the varying forms of Q, SAR or Op Dets this Christmas.
That was on top of the 2 crews doing QRA in MPA, the one crew already in Bahrain and the equivalent crews who were flying out between Christmas and New Year to do the dets over New Year. Who was providing SDO on 2 of the 3 bank holidays over the festive period? The same Sqn!!!!
IIRC Admin provided 1, Eng 1 and ATC 1 over the rest of the period from 23 Dec to 03 Jan. And OC Admin (she of the aforementioned "Flight Safety is nothing to do with Admin Wing" fame) had the gall to tell us that Christmas duties had to be shared equally amongst all station personnel. Nothing changes...... but perhaps we should link this topic to the "Why are people leaving in droves?" topic!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of those who are on the varying forms of Q, SAR or Op Dets this Christmas.
Last edited by Roland Pulfrew; 20th Dec 2005 at 08:54.
Volunteers eh?
It shouldn't be THAT hard to find volunteers.
Where I work I know of at least two squadron execs (thats right, EXECS) who volunteered since they live on the patch and are staying around at Chrimbo, so saluting the flag a couple of times and taking some chocolates to the guys and gals on guard isn't too much of a hassle. I didn't see any blunties doing the same though!
In all seriousness, there must be enough people on the patch who stay around to cover the period anyway. As a sweetener they can be given immunity from duties for a while as a reward.
Simple really.
BV
Where I work I know of at least two squadron execs (thats right, EXECS) who volunteered since they live on the patch and are staying around at Chrimbo, so saluting the flag a couple of times and taking some chocolates to the guys and gals on guard isn't too much of a hassle. I didn't see any blunties doing the same though!
In all seriousness, there must be enough people on the patch who stay around to cover the period anyway. As a sweetener they can be given immunity from duties for a while as a reward.
Simple really.
BV
Well, if I had ever got off my ar$e and done the relevant reading, writing, licking and crawling courses which grease the passage of promotion to become a staish, I would have summoned OC Admin into the office and invited him/her to toss a coin....
"What for?" he/she would have asked....
"The winner gets to choose whether to do Christmas or Boxing Day SDO, the loser will do the other. Questions on that, OC A?" would have been the reply.
Volunteered for several Christmas Incirliks over the years. One Stn Cdr personally wrote everyone an individual card, he knew his people. Another sent the same card to everyone - he didn't know his ar$e from his elbow.
"What for?" he/she would have asked....
"The winner gets to choose whether to do Christmas or Boxing Day SDO, the loser will do the other. Questions on that, OC A?" would have been the reply.
Volunteered for several Christmas Incirliks over the years. One Stn Cdr personally wrote everyone an individual card, he knew his people. Another sent the same card to everyone - he didn't know his ar$e from his elbow.
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Flt Safety - nothin' to do with Admin
I remember a Flt Safety film from a few years back. it followed a jockey the morning before a sortie, as he tried to clear up an admin blunder with pay / claims. He was passed pillar to post without ever getting anywhere.
The delay in SHQ meant that he missed lunch and the Mess wouldn't provide a late meal. OK NAFFI sandwich will have to do. MT is late so he's behind checking in for briefing......
The sortie is never completed because he prangs in. Cause...pilot distraction. It painted a vivid picture for me about "everyone is involved in FS", maybe it needs re-airing(is that a word?) .
The delay in SHQ meant that he missed lunch and the Mess wouldn't provide a late meal. OK NAFFI sandwich will have to do. MT is late so he's behind checking in for briefing......
The sortie is never completed because he prangs in. Cause...pilot distraction. It painted a vivid picture for me about "everyone is involved in FS", maybe it needs re-airing(is that a word?) .
Wasn't that a re-make of the classic 'Frustration' which featured a couple of mates ferrying a Javelin back in the days when we had an air force?
Here we have been told all the JO Adminers are singlies so its not fair for them to get an Xmas duty. All the other single JO's on the various Q shifts however, get to live in a darkened mess and walk half a mile to get their food in the airmens mess.
No senior officers either from handbrake house as those of us on Q can 'double up' as duty exec.
Oh yes, and they finish 2 days before Ops so no claims etc processed until 06.
I can honestly say that the Admin support I have had over the last 6 years has been Sh*te. I have been into the Admin office and the phones have been ringing whilst they drink tea and read the papers. 'It's our break Sir' is the reply. The Civvy accountants actually lock their doors during breaks and lunch to literally keep you out.
If the Orderly Officer cannot make it to wave at the flag due to flying he/she has to ring OC GD and 'beg' for a favour. Ths favour is usually followed by a complaint from Oc Admin about Ops 'putting on' Admin.
I have thrown my toys out of the cot on many occasions but the civvies are untouchable and the service types just shrug. Very little support from the Wg Cdrs.
Jeez, how depressing, I'll stop there.
Happy Christmas to all of you on shift this festive season, or away from home.
No senior officers either from handbrake house as those of us on Q can 'double up' as duty exec.
Oh yes, and they finish 2 days before Ops so no claims etc processed until 06.
I can honestly say that the Admin support I have had over the last 6 years has been Sh*te. I have been into the Admin office and the phones have been ringing whilst they drink tea and read the papers. 'It's our break Sir' is the reply. The Civvy accountants actually lock their doors during breaks and lunch to literally keep you out.
If the Orderly Officer cannot make it to wave at the flag due to flying he/she has to ring OC GD and 'beg' for a favour. Ths favour is usually followed by a complaint from Oc Admin about Ops 'putting on' Admin.
I have thrown my toys out of the cot on many occasions but the civvies are untouchable and the service types just shrug. Very little support from the Wg Cdrs.
Jeez, how depressing, I'll stop there.
Happy Christmas to all of you on shift this festive season, or away from home.
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A number of years ago I was in the position of being one of those who had a QRA committment. As an Engineer, we had to be available to deal with the jets out of hours - not a large pool of people so Duty Eng average was once every 4-6 weekends. This, along with QRA aircrew, made us exempt from SDO. So, over Crimbo we volunteered to cover SDO. Made no difference to us - we'd be at home, unable to drink and available for call-out anyway.
Not difficult, and meant that the minimum no of people were on duty.
sw
Not difficult, and meant that the minimum no of people were on duty.
sw
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Hi Guernsey Girl... I immediately regretted not mentioning SAR... as well as the Royal Navy personnel at sea providing our deterrent and power projection, the Army lads and lasses around the world... the list goes on. Over 30,000 personnel deployed, one way or another, away from home across the three Services.
Puts orderly officer into its place, don't you think?
Anyhoo, Merry Christmas one and all, and a very Happy New Year!
Puts orderly officer into its place, don't you think?
Anyhoo, Merry Christmas one and all, and a very Happy New Year!
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quote: At a flying unit in the south of England.
"Admin Wg blunties will not be providing an Ord Off on Christmas day because nobody has volunteered "
Hmm, I would suggest that the author is probably exagerrating the story, somewhat. If its Admin Wg's turn to provide the OO and no volunteer appears from within, then there is no reason why they shouldn't ask for a volunteer from elsewhere. If no volunteer is forthcoming from elsewhere, then Admin Wg must meet its obligation, and I'm sure they will.
I doubt that OC Admin Wg would support the position that his wing will not provide the OO solely due to a lack of volunteers.
"Admin Wg blunties will not be providing an Ord Off on Christmas day because nobody has volunteered "
Hmm, I would suggest that the author is probably exagerrating the story, somewhat. If its Admin Wg's turn to provide the OO and no volunteer appears from within, then there is no reason why they shouldn't ask for a volunteer from elsewhere. If no volunteer is forthcoming from elsewhere, then Admin Wg must meet its obligation, and I'm sure they will.
I doubt that OC Admin Wg would support the position that his wing will not provide the OO solely due to a lack of volunteers.
I am sitting in my place of work contemplating my Xmas Q shifts.
10 minutes ago a civvy walked in and stated that the extension cable on my kettle is illegal. I asked why and he said 'because it is'. I asked what specific hazzard it posed, no answer. Not wanting to kick off WW3 I asked what he would like me to do about it.
I have to contact some other civvies and request that they come down and change the existing lead for one that is legal. In the meantime, not allowed to use the kettle. When will they change it? Sometime in Jan because they are busy and have started their Grant today. Is there paperwork involved? Yes, lots. If I get the lead can I do it? No, H&SAW. How long has exisiting lead been used? 3 months.
The extension lead I have is shop bought and conforms to all the necessary safety standards. Even if I am missing something this 5 minute job is going to take weeks.
Man in shirt and tie did wish me a Merry Xmas though, so that's OK.
Anyway, must go, the kettles boiling.
10 minutes ago a civvy walked in and stated that the extension cable on my kettle is illegal. I asked why and he said 'because it is'. I asked what specific hazzard it posed, no answer. Not wanting to kick off WW3 I asked what he would like me to do about it.
I have to contact some other civvies and request that they come down and change the existing lead for one that is legal. In the meantime, not allowed to use the kettle. When will they change it? Sometime in Jan because they are busy and have started their Grant today. Is there paperwork involved? Yes, lots. If I get the lead can I do it? No, H&SAW. How long has exisiting lead been used? 3 months.
The extension lead I have is shop bought and conforms to all the necessary safety standards. Even if I am missing something this 5 minute job is going to take weeks.
Man in shirt and tie did wish me a Merry Xmas though, so that's OK.
Anyway, must go, the kettles boiling.
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Southside and Mr Whippy - Bonny lads
Tablet missed out the vital national asset - SAR - fixed and rotary
As these valiant aircrew stalwarts are on stand-by in the messes for 24/7/365, unfortunately, the stns involved have to remain 'partially' open to provide back up
Merry Christmas to all these lovely people!
Tablet missed out the vital national asset - SAR - fixed and rotary
As these valiant aircrew stalwarts are on stand-by in the messes for 24/7/365, unfortunately, the stns involved have to remain 'partially' open to provide back up
Merry Christmas to all these lovely people!
We have a far fairer system. Simply have a Regimental dinner about 4-6 weeks prior to the Xmas break with free wine/port etc and have speeches that last for an hour plus. Xmas duties problem solved!
Happy Christmas to those that are working over the break, if it is because of your trade, thank you for allowing me and my family to sleep well in our beds, if it is because of shennanigans in the mess, thank you for allowing me to sleep in my bed.
Happy Christmas to those that are working over the break, if it is because of your trade, thank you for allowing me and my family to sleep well in our beds, if it is because of shennanigans in the mess, thank you for allowing me to sleep in my bed.
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Bob Viking, we had a similar deal from OC Ops a couple of years back, he volunteered for New Year's Eve and I (lucky young Fg Off) had New Year's Day.
Duly called the day before to check on handover to be told, I'll drop it off to the mess around lunchtime as I'm sure you'll be hungover.
He was as good as his word too.
Beags, the Distraction film I saw featured a Jag mate and a C/T in the run up to a det.
Duly called the day before to check on handover to be told, I'll drop it off to the mess around lunchtime as I'm sure you'll be hungover.
He was as good as his word too.
Beags, the Distraction film I saw featured a Jag mate and a C/T in the run up to a det.
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Wyler,
If you work in a bunker mains leads have to be special non- smoke hyper-sonic type tested to 9 G or something
Tis true - I remember an entire IT system being shut down for the wrong cables
Don't know if this applies in your case
If you work in a bunker mains leads have to be special non- smoke hyper-sonic type tested to 9 G or something
Tis true - I remember an entire IT system being shut down for the wrong cables
Don't know if this applies in your case