[Kharon]

Sleight of hand -

And slightly nauseating – is the quick, slick way the ATCO REPCON parcel has been passed through the ASA, ATSB and CASA 'safety' oversight systems on it's way to basement storage; seamless, deceptive, disingenuous and very well practised.

A little perspective is needed - the underhand way ATSB have rolled off the top of these valid, factual concerns is disgusting; imagine if this situation happened in the real world – say at Qantas.

Turn up at 0500 to fly your shift – manager meets you at the bench - :Well mate, we are short of first officers today, you are operating the 737 single pilot; and you'll have to do your inspection as the engineer's taken a day off on stress leave. The bloody roof would be off the building in minutes. Bit of a long bow I realise but; to even contemplate conducting a safety sensitive operation without 'essential' crew is unthinkable. And yet it seems ASA is perfectly happy to allow a terminal like Sydney to continue struggling along with one hand tied behind. It is shameful and shambolic.

I have a question though;

“After paying 20% of the staff to retire, now everything is back engineered to achieve a final result or time-frame predetermined by management, regardless of policy or procedures.”

“ATC is severely understaffed. It’s been this way, but functional for years. However, the last 3 months have been particularly bad. The Retirement Incentive Scheme (RIS) that ASA offered last year has taken us to unprecedented levels of staffing and is pushing the system way beyond its limit”.

So, OK – many took the RIS and are probably bored rigid gardening or fishing to fill in the endless days (or not). Why are those not being offered some sort of incentive to return to work? Short of crew – talent available – short time needed to bring 'em back 'up-to-speed'. Would they come back if asked I wonder? IF as the EBH states they are 'training' new crew; then only 'short term' contracts would be needed to cover the gaps. Seems logical to me – but then I wonder just how deeply ASA is stuck in the financial 'do-do' – under the rule of the Bean counters?

Shut Sydney down one Friday afternoon for an hour – follow it up next Monday morning for another hour – then watch 'something' get done – in record time.  Declare it a CTAF and watch the feathers fly – or work to 'rule' for a day – that'll get a result...If not – why not?  Sometimes, you just have to stand on your diggings and fight back.

Toot – toot.....