Comments on: Air Traffic Controllers are crying out for help http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:48:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Andrew http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/#comment-18149 Andrew Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-18149 When an organization fails to appreciate your value when you are there, then it is time to demonstrate your value by not being there. Airplanes will stop, money will be lost, answers will be found. When an organization fails to appreciate your value when you are there, then it is time to demonstrate your value by not being there. Airplanes will stop, money will be lost, answers will be found.

]]> By: ML ATC http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/#comment-18150 ML ATC Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-18150 Balanced,<br /><br />In response to your thinly veiled swipe at people in our profession (do you work in the AWB, perchance? And that's not the Australian Wheat Board I'm referring to), I suggest you consider these points:<br /><br />- "the loadings" are already included in our salary, and have been for close to fifteen years<br />- my colleague sitting nearby as I type this is on considerably less than 100k (I earn more than 100K, and will be relieving him after I finish having to correct the uninformed), controlling more than twenty aircraft with an estimated 3000 people aboard. This traffic is considered 'moderate', as opposed to 'high' and 'extremely high'. About 40% (and rising) of controllers would be on less than 100K<br />- did I mention the fact that if we make a mistake, hundreds may lose their lives? Does your occupation carry that type of risk?<br />- You're right, anyone can apply to do this job. The ratio of end-state/licensed controllers to applicants, however, is very low (i.e. not many get through) - is it any wonder that we are seeking to increase the starting point for salaries to attract more 'quality' applicants who will have a higher chance of succeeding in this career path?<br />- After twelve years of shift-work, my sleep cycles are now at the stage where I can't sleep for more than two or three hours at a time. If you think this is no biggie, I'll arrange to come over to your place and keep waking you every few hours. We'll see how you feel after a few days...<br /><br />Balanced, I could go on and on. I suggest you have a good think about these points next time before you offer your 'balanced' opinion Balanced,

In response to your thinly veiled swipe at people in our profession (do you work in the AWB, perchance? And that’s not the Australian Wheat Board I’m referring to), I suggest you consider these points:

- “the loadings” are already included in our salary, and have been for close to fifteen years
- my colleague sitting nearby as I type this is on considerably less than 100k (I earn more than 100K, and will be relieving him after I finish having to correct the uninformed), controlling more than twenty aircraft with an estimated 3000 people aboard. This traffic is considered ‘moderate’, as opposed to ‘high’ and ‘extremely high’. About 40% (and rising) of controllers would be on less than 100K
- did I mention the fact that if we make a mistake, hundreds may lose their lives? Does your occupation carry that type of risk?
- You’re right, anyone can apply to do this job. The ratio of end-state/licensed controllers to applicants, however, is very low (i.e. not many get through) - is it any wonder that we are seeking to increase the starting point for salaries to attract more ‘quality’ applicants who will have a higher chance of succeeding in this career path?
- After twelve years of shift-work, my sleep cycles are now at the stage where I can’t sleep for more than two or three hours at a time. If you think this is no biggie, I’ll arrange to come over to your place and keep waking you every few hours. We’ll see how you feel after a few days…

Balanced, I could go on and on. I suggest you have a good think about these points next time before you offer your ‘balanced’ opinion

]]> By: Mark http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/#comment-18151 Mark Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-18151 I was considering a career in this field and the recent issues have made me reconsider my position. Also with the airlines beginning to reduce the number of routes due to fuel prices will we see a corresponding reduction in stress on the controllers ? I was considering a career in this field and the recent issues have made me reconsider my position. Also with the airlines beginning to reduce the number of routes due to fuel prices will we see a corresponding reduction in stress on the controllers ?

]]> By: Nigel Pope http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/#comment-18152 Nigel Pope Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-18152 The real issues involve the sheer incompetence of the management group. Too many of those in supervisory and management roles are simply failed controllers. Because they are failed controllers they cannot step into the breach to replace a controller who is on a break or absent for other reasons. Also, as failed controllers, they carry chips on their shoulders that affect the way they attempt to manage and motivate staff.<br /><br />Like so many organisations, the problem comes down to leadership (or the absence thereof). The Transport Minister should insist upon an urgent root-and-branch review of the Air Services organisation. Will it happen? Probably not. There are no votes in fixing this... unless and until a major aviation accident reveals that the organisation is indeed on the brink of failure.<br /><br />Balanced- AUD100K is not that much these days and, frankly, this is not an area where you can afford to make mistakes. What is a crime is the amount paid in salary to those failed controllers who are promoted to management roles.<br /> The real issues involve the sheer incompetence of the management group. Too many of those in supervisory and management roles are simply failed controllers. Because they are failed controllers they cannot step into the breach to replace a controller who is on a break or absent for other reasons. Also, as failed controllers, they carry chips on their shoulders that affect the way they attempt to manage and motivate staff.

Like so many organisations, the problem comes down to leadership (or the absence thereof). The Transport Minister should insist upon an urgent root-and-branch review of the Air Services organisation. Will it happen? Probably not. There are no votes in fixing this… unless and until a major aviation accident reveals that the organisation is indeed on the brink of failure.

Balanced- AUD100K is not that much these days and, frankly, this is not an area where you can afford to make mistakes. What is a crime is the amount paid in salary to those failed controllers who are promoted to management roles.

]]> By: Balanced http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/#comment-18153 Balanced Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-18153 I feel so sorry for you. You neglect to mention the 100k salaries that Air Traffic controllers get paid. The unlimited days off, the loadings, etc, etc. Air traffic controllers are very highly paid so a 10 hr shift should not be complained about given the exceptional overtime rates given. Remember whilst an important job its not one that requires a degree from university or any other academic qualification. In fact anyone can apply to do this job on the Air Services web page. I think the good wife should be happy that her husband makes a good earn and be happy with it. I feel so sorry for you. You neglect to mention the 100k salaries that Air Traffic controllers get paid. The unlimited days off, the loadings, etc, etc. Air traffic controllers are very highly paid so a 10 hr shift should not be complained about given the exceptional overtime rates given. Remember whilst an important job its not one that requires a degree from university or any other academic qualification. In fact anyone can apply to do this job on the Air Services web page. I think the good wife should be happy that her husband makes a good earn and be happy with it.

]]> By: Traffic http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/06/18/air-traffic-controllers-are-crying-out-for-help/#comment-18154 Traffic Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-18154 It is quite obvious that the time for sensible and constructive criticism has long gone.<br /><br />Do not work overtime and whatever you do, do not, repeat do not answer the phone when not at work. Make sure you have phones that show the incoming phone number. It is quite obvious that the time for sensible and constructive criticism has long gone.

Do not work overtime and whatever you do, do not, repeat do not answer the phone when not at work. Make sure you have phones that show the incoming phone number.

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