Comments on: Out of control: The air traffic staffing crisis http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/14/out-of-control-the-air-traffic-staffing-crisis/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:22:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: GoAway Greg Russell http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/14/out-of-control-the-air-traffic-staffing-crisis/#comment-6548 GoAway Greg Russell Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-6548 It is far too convenient for CASA, Airservices Australia and the Minister to claim that the service disruptions are being caused by a rouge (informal) industrial campaign. If that were true, then why has Airservices or the government not pursued a single individual for 'industrial sabotage"? It is not in the nature of my employer to go softly softly when it comes to enforcing their will and industrial rights.<br /><br />What is the current minimum staffing number (ASA must justify it), how many rated controllers are there (who currently where headsets and talk to pilots)? It's not rocket science, CASA, hello, hello?<br /><br />I have seen more of my colleagues leave and others set to depart for other pastures, not to leave for an 'opportunity' but to get away from this mob of pricks. If there were a viable alternative in Australia, Airservices would employ no controllers as they have form, all bad!<br /><br />I too am booking my tickets for another opportunity; I can't wait to get out, even if it means packing my family up and taking them to the other side of the world, goodbye Greg Russell, you're an idiot!!! It is far too convenient for CASA, Airservices Australia and the Minister to claim that the service disruptions are being caused by a rouge (informal) industrial campaign. If that were true, then why has Airservices or the government not pursued a single individual for ‘industrial sabotage”? It is not in the nature of my employer to go softly softly when it comes to enforcing their will and industrial rights.

What is the current minimum staffing number (ASA must justify it), how many rated controllers are there (who currently where headsets and talk to pilots)? It’s not rocket science, CASA, hello, hello?

I have seen more of my colleagues leave and others set to depart for other pastures, not to leave for an ‘opportunity’ but to get away from this mob of pricks. If there were a viable alternative in Australia, Airservices would employ no controllers as they have form, all bad!

I too am booking my tickets for another opportunity; I can’t wait to get out, even if it means packing my family up and taking them to the other side of the world, goodbye Greg Russell, you’re an idiot!!!

]]> By: Ben http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/14/out-of-control-the-air-traffic-staffing-crisis/#comment-6549 Ben Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-6549 Ben,<br /><br />You have hit the nail absolutely on the head here. Well done, good to see an independent journalist who has been able to see through the PR fog. If only the mainstream newspapers and television stations were as on the ball, perhaps ASA would pick up their act and provide a proper service to the travelling public. Ben,

You have hit the nail absolutely on the head here. Well done, good to see an independent journalist who has been able to see through the PR fog. If only the mainstream newspapers and television stations were as on the ball, perhaps ASA would pick up their act and provide a proper service to the travelling public.

]]> By: Cate Morris http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/14/out-of-control-the-air-traffic-staffing-crisis/#comment-6550 Cate Morris Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-6550 Just as the financial sector fell apart aviation is similarly in jeapardy over discarding the no regulation-free market-profit-over-product paradigm. The skies these days are like a super-highway without rules or police - all a matter of time before there's a monumental catastrophe. Someone mentioned the media's inability to get to the nub of accurate reporting. Its got the banking, aviation and communication bug too - the deadly hands off out of economic rationalism set to auto pilot. Just as the financial sector fell apart aviation is similarly in jeapardy over discarding the no regulation-free market-profit-over-product paradigm. The skies these days are like a super-highway without rules or police - all a matter of time before there’s a monumental catastrophe. Someone mentioned the media’s inability to get to the nub of accurate reporting. Its got the banking, aviation and communication bug too - the deadly hands off out of economic rationalism set to auto pilot.

]]> By: RJG http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/14/out-of-control-the-air-traffic-staffing-crisis/#comment-6551 RJG Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-6551 We have to pay exhorbitant salaries and bonuses to CEO's to ensure we get top class outcomes as a consequence of the global market forces, but when there is a shortage of useful people such as ATC's who actually do something tangible, somehow those market forces are never able to deliver the same salary outcomes. Of course some of them belong to a union, how shocking! If they were members of the directors clubs of course thre weould be no problem.<br /><br /> We have to pay exhorbitant salaries and bonuses to CEO’s to ensure we get top class outcomes as a consequence of the global market forces, but when there is a shortage of useful people such as ATC’s who actually do something tangible, somehow those market forces are never able to deliver the same salary outcomes. Of course some of them belong to a union, how shocking! If they were members of the directors clubs of course thre weould be no problem.

]]> By: Conscientious ATC http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/01/14/out-of-control-the-air-traffic-staffing-crisis/#comment-6552 Conscientious ATC Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-6552 Currently the penalty for an ATC turning up to work in an unfit state is $5500 (50 penalty units). Whilst I do not know of anyone convicted of this criminal offence as yet, it remains a valid threat. <br />CASA is soon to begin random Drug and Alcohol testing of the nations ATC's. Presently Controllers are banned from utilising many common prescription and over the counter drugs, for instance Panedene or standard antihistamines.<br />I wonder how many people could justify turning up to working while sick without use of these medications?<br />If you did go to work, what would your performance be like under pressure?<br /><br />Should a controller be involved in an accident or serious incident, as it is a criminal act to be present while not being 100% fit, the controller involved may well be looking at charges of criminal negligence and manslaughter.<br />I don't know of any controller that takes this law lightly and nor should we!<br />Lets hope the Minister correctly judges this situation and the traveling public retains the level of safety they currently enjoy and deserve! Currently the penalty for an ATC turning up to work in an unfit state is $5500 (50 penalty units). Whilst I do not know of anyone convicted of this criminal offence as yet, it remains a valid threat.
CASA is soon to begin random Drug and Alcohol testing of the nations ATC’s. Presently Controllers are banned from utilising many common prescription and over the counter drugs, for instance Panedene or standard antihistamines.
I wonder how many people could justify turning up to working while sick without use of these medications?
If you did go to work, what would your performance be like under pressure?

Should a controller be involved in an accident or serious incident, as it is a criminal act to be present while not being 100% fit, the controller involved may well be looking at charges of criminal negligence and manslaughter.
I don’t know of any controller that takes this law lightly and nor should we!
Lets hope the Minister correctly judges this situation and the traveling public retains the level of safety they currently enjoy and deserve!

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