Old fashioned washing machines.
If you can remember – always offered you a tangled load of wet washing which you needed to unscramble – it was a pain; socks inside shirt sleeves etc. This what the GlenB story is becoming – a tangled mess. IMO; it’s about time our first class Senate crew had questions to ask which demand direct answers – there are just a few.
You see; I get all confused when I can’t quiet join up a series of dots – or see a clear picture. For instance – did GlenB get an acknowledgement from the CASA board that his missive had (a) been received and (b) did any of the bored members actually read the thing? That is a simple question – the answer – whatever it may be, potentially, leads us down one of several paths. Established dots:-
Dot 1 - GlenB sends a polite request for a meeting; no reply. More notes follow and again, silence. I cannot see why a short note could not have been returned – even if it simply explained that ‘the Board’ does not have a remit for such discussions. It would be a reasonable thing to say; can’t convene a board meeting every time the dunny gets blocked. Perhaps the ‘request’ could be handed off to someone else – a placebo meeting – to at least promote the notion that CASA cares and will listen to reason. But who?
Dot 2 – After several attempts to ‘talk’ to someone GlenB receives a letter from Gash Crawford which says- “For clarity, we will not be arranging a meeting with APTA and the CASA Board and whilst I appreciate you may not like that outcome, I kindly request you accept that is CASA’s position.”
This response is brusque; borderline rude; but, we only have one end of the correspondence chain. GlenB states that Gash Crawford “would not permit” such a thing. You could translate the “I kindly request you accept” bit implies that this is a ‘CASA’ decision; but is it the Board’s decision? If it is, then why? If it is Gash’s homespun decision – enforced on the board; then it leaves too many socks tangled with the jocks: so to speak.
It can all be parlayed pretty much anyway you choose. You can also pick a point of view; from a ‘Coppers’ perspective it is an investigation; from an Aviation specialist angle it’s a travesty; from a purely regulatory stance it’s the chickens coming home to roost; for a business investment it is nothing more than a raving, screaming nightmare. It all demonstrates just how totally buggered up the system is; how out of control CASA are and why light to medium aviation in Australia is a basket case. One thing does stand out, like the proverbial dog’s whatsits is the ‘shift’ from aviation folk working within the system to ‘enforcement’ types. Gash Crawford has a veritable private police/spook force at his beck and call. The stark difference between a sensible ‘ Operations Inspector’ looking to make things safer and better; and a smart Bobby seeking to trip a suspect on a minor fudge around a silly part of a law is marked. Is this a reflection of a paranoid megalomaniac, lost in some bizarre theory; or simply an indicator that CASA has been bereft of ‘proper’ leadership and guidance for so long now, that it simply lost in swamps and Briars of Sleepy Hollow? I don’t know; but take the latest farcical event as an indication of the left hand having no idea what the right hand is doing and the ‘brain’ controlling those hands has NDI about what’s being done. For instance:-
Things like this Monahan character driving through an AIP change requiring gliders to be on area frequency – who’s bright idea was that? How could such a thing slide though? Happily, industry has been spared that fight – ASA have told him, in no uncertain terms to bugger off and take his idiot suggestions back to the village that has lost him.
Then we have the tangle of St Commode and Gash Crawford. WTD is really going on – and more to the point who is actually running the joint? Then we must ask why ‘soft’ targets like AF, Rhodes and GlenB must be under threat - qui bono? We seem to have a really big, divided ‘ex enforcement’ crew operating with impunity – at loggerheads internally; milling about the place like Crawford’s private army – the other side batting for only the gods know who – WTD? Who is stirring the pot and why? Is it some ‘cunning plan’ to internally destroy CASA and start again; or is it simply an ogre, so far beyond control that no man dare tackle the thing? I don’t know; but, one thing is for certain sure, whatever the duck is going on is damaging this industry to the point of being unrepairable. More ‘White’ hats needed methinks. Aye well:
‘We’ will – in due course, get the questions at least in some sort of order and deliver them directly; but I have to say, there is some very serious head scratching going on. This sorry saga is a real tangle; it is drawing heavily on the public purse, it is affecting aviation investment, progress and investor security. This, all before anyone has seriously considered or tested the effect of ‘new’ regulations and CASA approach to ‘enforcement’ on ‘real’ brass tacks operational safety.
We have an ASA which is not only fiscally stretched to the dizzy limit paying Halfwits bonuses while paying for the almost redundant One Sky embarrassment. An ATSB which is more like a PR – top cover agency; for hire to them as needs it (when will they start selling advertising space in the accident reports?). And, a CASA regulator which is not only tearing itself apart internally, lost to reason, but having a serious negative affect on all facets of aviation.
Sorry to say it Senators – but, if you blokes don’t get your fingers out, get interested and get busy – Dick Smith, presently sitting alone in the aviation hall of doom will have lots and lots of company – real soon. It is a bloody shambles. ripping off the tax paying public, making a mockery of the Senate committee and placing a complete fool in charge - in the shape of yet another non too bright, badly advised, captive, disinterested ‘minister’ leading the band.
Sorry fellah’s – “back on your heads”. That - from my grandpa’s favourite joke
To wit (–A first class ride to Hell for a pack of real bad un’s. Given the grand tour and allowed to pick their preferred purgatory. Shown into a beautifully appointed, air conditioned chamber, with lots of folk sitting on rocks in a sea of shit, having a smoke and looking incredibly happy. “We’ll stay here” says the top dog – “looks great”. So, they move in, find a rock and light up. “Not too bad is it” say’s the boss. Then a bell tolls and the guards walk back in – “OK you lot; tea break over – back on your heads” as the whips crack. Yuk, Yuk, Yak……….
Toot – discombobulated – toot.
If you can remember – always offered you a tangled load of wet washing which you needed to unscramble – it was a pain; socks inside shirt sleeves etc. This what the GlenB story is becoming – a tangled mess. IMO; it’s about time our first class Senate crew had questions to ask which demand direct answers – there are just a few.
You see; I get all confused when I can’t quiet join up a series of dots – or see a clear picture. For instance – did GlenB get an acknowledgement from the CASA board that his missive had (a) been received and (b) did any of the bored members actually read the thing? That is a simple question – the answer – whatever it may be, potentially, leads us down one of several paths. Established dots:-
Dot 1 - GlenB sends a polite request for a meeting; no reply. More notes follow and again, silence. I cannot see why a short note could not have been returned – even if it simply explained that ‘the Board’ does not have a remit for such discussions. It would be a reasonable thing to say; can’t convene a board meeting every time the dunny gets blocked. Perhaps the ‘request’ could be handed off to someone else – a placebo meeting – to at least promote the notion that CASA cares and will listen to reason. But who?
Dot 2 – After several attempts to ‘talk’ to someone GlenB receives a letter from Gash Crawford which says- “For clarity, we will not be arranging a meeting with APTA and the CASA Board and whilst I appreciate you may not like that outcome, I kindly request you accept that is CASA’s position.”
This response is brusque; borderline rude; but, we only have one end of the correspondence chain. GlenB states that Gash Crawford “would not permit” such a thing. You could translate the “I kindly request you accept” bit implies that this is a ‘CASA’ decision; but is it the Board’s decision? If it is, then why? If it is Gash’s homespun decision – enforced on the board; then it leaves too many socks tangled with the jocks: so to speak.
It can all be parlayed pretty much anyway you choose. You can also pick a point of view; from a ‘Coppers’ perspective it is an investigation; from an Aviation specialist angle it’s a travesty; from a purely regulatory stance it’s the chickens coming home to roost; for a business investment it is nothing more than a raving, screaming nightmare. It all demonstrates just how totally buggered up the system is; how out of control CASA are and why light to medium aviation in Australia is a basket case. One thing does stand out, like the proverbial dog’s whatsits is the ‘shift’ from aviation folk working within the system to ‘enforcement’ types. Gash Crawford has a veritable private police/spook force at his beck and call. The stark difference between a sensible ‘ Operations Inspector’ looking to make things safer and better; and a smart Bobby seeking to trip a suspect on a minor fudge around a silly part of a law is marked. Is this a reflection of a paranoid megalomaniac, lost in some bizarre theory; or simply an indicator that CASA has been bereft of ‘proper’ leadership and guidance for so long now, that it simply lost in swamps and Briars of Sleepy Hollow? I don’t know; but take the latest farcical event as an indication of the left hand having no idea what the right hand is doing and the ‘brain’ controlling those hands has NDI about what’s being done. For instance:-
Things like this Monahan character driving through an AIP change requiring gliders to be on area frequency – who’s bright idea was that? How could such a thing slide though? Happily, industry has been spared that fight – ASA have told him, in no uncertain terms to bugger off and take his idiot suggestions back to the village that has lost him.
Then we have the tangle of St Commode and Gash Crawford. WTD is really going on – and more to the point who is actually running the joint? Then we must ask why ‘soft’ targets like AF, Rhodes and GlenB must be under threat - qui bono? We seem to have a really big, divided ‘ex enforcement’ crew operating with impunity – at loggerheads internally; milling about the place like Crawford’s private army – the other side batting for only the gods know who – WTD? Who is stirring the pot and why? Is it some ‘cunning plan’ to internally destroy CASA and start again; or is it simply an ogre, so far beyond control that no man dare tackle the thing? I don’t know; but, one thing is for certain sure, whatever the duck is going on is damaging this industry to the point of being unrepairable. More ‘White’ hats needed methinks. Aye well:
‘We’ will – in due course, get the questions at least in some sort of order and deliver them directly; but I have to say, there is some very serious head scratching going on. This sorry saga is a real tangle; it is drawing heavily on the public purse, it is affecting aviation investment, progress and investor security. This, all before anyone has seriously considered or tested the effect of ‘new’ regulations and CASA approach to ‘enforcement’ on ‘real’ brass tacks operational safety.
We have an ASA which is not only fiscally stretched to the dizzy limit paying Halfwits bonuses while paying for the almost redundant One Sky embarrassment. An ATSB which is more like a PR – top cover agency; for hire to them as needs it (when will they start selling advertising space in the accident reports?). And, a CASA regulator which is not only tearing itself apart internally, lost to reason, but having a serious negative affect on all facets of aviation.
Sorry to say it Senators – but, if you blokes don’t get your fingers out, get interested and get busy – Dick Smith, presently sitting alone in the aviation hall of doom will have lots and lots of company – real soon. It is a bloody shambles. ripping off the tax paying public, making a mockery of the Senate committee and placing a complete fool in charge - in the shape of yet another non too bright, badly advised, captive, disinterested ‘minister’ leading the band.
Sorry fellah’s – “back on your heads”. That - from my grandpa’s favourite joke
To wit (–A first class ride to Hell for a pack of real bad un’s. Given the grand tour and allowed to pick their preferred purgatory. Shown into a beautifully appointed, air conditioned chamber, with lots of folk sitting on rocks in a sea of shit, having a smoke and looking incredibly happy. “We’ll stay here” says the top dog – “looks great”. So, they move in, find a rock and light up. “Not too bad is it” say’s the boss. Then a bell tolls and the guards walk back in – “OK you lot; tea break over – back on your heads” as the whips crack. Yuk, Yuk, Yak……….
Toot – discombobulated – toot.