Is criticism of AirServices Australia's training of air t. controllers justified?

[Melburnian1]

Every so often, longstanding aviation journalist Ben Sandilands launches into criticism of AirServices Australia's training of air traffic controllers, which he alleges is deficient:

Qantas, Tigerair, make Hay the wrong way at abt 36,000 feet | Plane Talking

The consequences of an air traffic controller making a mistake could be serious. That said, aircraft have inbuilt safety features that they may not have had 30 or 40 years ago to try to ensure that they remain separated from one another.

It must be a very stressful and highly technical job, irrespective as to how good MAESTRO and other computer systems are. At times (although not in the last year if I recall) there have been allegations that Australian air traffic controllers take too many sick days or that there are or have been insufficient staff on deck per shift.

'Near misses' in the air and safety problems on the ground are taken seriously by ATSB, as they should be.

Is Mr Sandilands' criticism fair, is it understated (i.e. the situation is even worse than what he describes) or is it hyperbolic?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Every so often, longstanding aviation journalist Ben Sandilands launches into criticism of AirServices Australia's training of air traffic controllers, which he alleges is deficient:

Qantas, Tigerair, make Hay the wrong way at abt 36,000 feet | Plane Talking

The consequences of an air traffic controller making a mistake could be serious. That said, aircraft have inbuilt safety features that they may not have had 30 or 40 years ago to try to ensure that they remain separated from one another.

It must be a very stressful and highly technical job, irrespective as to how good MAESTRO and other computer systems are. At times (although not in the last year if I recall) there have been allegations that Australian air traffic controllers take too many sick days or that there are or have been insufficient staff full top.

'Near misses' in the air and safety problems on the ground are taken seriously by ATSB, as they should be.

Is Mr Sandilands' criticism fair, is it understated (i.e. the situation is even worse than what he describes) or is it hyperbolic?

Option C

 

[yohy?!]

Seems to be a lot of separation incidents these days

As well as questions as to CASA's impartiality to the major carriers and its competence

 

[Melburnian1]

yohy?!, when you mention 'questions...CASA's impartiality' are you suggesting that it may be favouring both QF and VA, one of those two or some other domestic or international airline?

 

[markis10]

Training wont be an issue, its built on years of learning from mistakes, to the point an aussie ATC can get a job anywhere, many work at DXB. If there is an issue, its human resource management.

 

[mono88]

Every so often, longstanding aviation journalist Ben Sandilands launches into criticism of AirServices Australia's training of air traffic controllers, which he alleges is deficient:

Qantas, Tigerair, make Hay the wrong way at abt 36,000 feet | Plane Talking

Is Mr Sandilands' criticism fair, is it understated (i.e. the situation is even worse than what he describes) or is it hyperbolic?

I am certainly no expert on the particular detailed aspects of air traffic controllers jobs but I know they are there for a very good reason. Others here would know more.
As an air passenger and taxpayer anyone is entitled to question their performance, as a matter of fact,it is important to do so to ensure we are getting the best, safest service and value for money as well, through the fares and taxes we pay.
I am not clear from the facts presented in the story as to what fully happened so you could not say that training or lack thereof,was a contributing factor to this incident, or who was at fault.

Training & continuous development are essential in most jobs but often underfunded and ineffectively done, particularly if the organisation has a cost cutting/minimisation mindset rather than a customer service one.

If Ben S's intentions are to ensure that proper focus is put on training, then it is fair; if he is seeking just to blame AA & the controllers as a scapegoat,then that is unfair & not constructive.
Mistakes are caused by all sorts of reasons, such as lack of experience, miscommunication, incompetence or lack of attention etc, not just poor training. All, any or part thereof could have caused any particular incident.

 

[Melburnian1]

If Ben S's intentions are to ensure that proper focus is put on training, then it is fair; if he is seeking just to blame AA & the controllers as a scapegoat,then that is unfair & not constructive.
Mistakes are caused by all sorts of reasons, such as lack of experience, miscommunication, incompetence or lack of attention etc, not just poor training. All, any or part thereof could have caused any particular incident.

mono88, let's hope that all those who work at ATC are able to 'switch off' from their jobs once they jump in the car or train on the way home. I'd like to think that in such a stressful job, each and every one of them gets a reasonable night's sleep and has the time before that to properly relax. No doubt that you need calm and collected individuals in the tower (just as you do in major train control centres worldwide) but one hopes that boredom and over familiarity does not set in.

 

[TonyHancock]

I guess slightly off topic but I can't even begin to imagine being an ATC. To me it seems like the most stressful job one could ever do. (Without being completely superficial I fall apart just playing Flight Control.)

I think it takes a unique personality, almost autistic, to be able to have that level of focus. I do wonder if the requirements needed for the role mean that ATC's are perhaps more details focused and less people orientated? Whatever it is I take my hat off to them.

 

[mono88]

I guess slightly off topic but I can't even begin to imagine being an ATC. To me it seems like the most stressful job one could ever do. (Without being completely superficial I fall apart just playing Flight Control.)

I think it takes a unique personality, almost autistic, to be able to have that level of focus. I do wonder if the requirements needed for the role mean that ATC's are perhaps more details focused and less people orientated? Whatever it is I take my hat off to them.

Agreed. There are a few jobs/professions that require skills and attributes that I find amazing, such as surgeons, pilots and ATC etc. Kudos to them.

 

[mono88]

Training wont be an issue, its built on years of learning from mistakes, to the point an aussie ATC can get a job anywhere, many work at DXB. If there is an issue, its human resource management.

Good to see the job opportunities available to Aussie ATC, world class skills deserve world class opportunities.
A question on the HR management issue.
Are you referring to issues with the HR management team or issues with HR management by senior and line management? Or both?

 

[markis10]

Good to see the job opportunities available to Aussie ATC, world class skills deserve world class opportunities.
A question on the HR management issue.
Are you referring to issues with the HR management team or issues with HR management by senior and line management? Or both?

I am referring to how the ATCs are managed in respect to who is needed where, for many years its been a case of gross oversupply or gross under supply, without any forward planning.

 

[mono88]

I am referring to how the ATCs are managed in respect to who is needed where, for many years its been a case of gross oversupply or gross under supply, without any forward planning.

Thanks for clarifying.
It sounds like a senior management/line management HR issue. Planning and the systems to ensure planning is done is generally a senior management responsibility.

Of course, there are many factors affecting how people are allocated to roles.

 

[Melburnian1]

markis10, are you suggesting that some air traffic controllers need to be asked to move locations (e.g. from MEL to SYD) or is it more a case of more need to be trained so that they can locate in the towers that you suggest at times may be undermanned? I assume that as in many jobs, the more senior staff have different roles to those who have just started in the job so that has to be considered as well.

Does the staff turnover vary between locations and is it above three per cent per annum overall? Is it related to work pressure or is it more a case of a controller applying for and accepting a job in another country such as UAE (DXB airport) that's growing and urgently requires qualified staff.

Which would be more stressful for the staff - a single runway at BNE meaning a lot of aircraft lining up or being sequenced to arrive on a single runway, or (mostly) the two parallel runways 34 and 16 being available at SYD (although SYD overall is of course busier than BNE)?

 

[markis10]

markis10, are you suggesting that some air traffic controllers need to be asked to move locations (e.g. from MEL to SYD) or is it more a case of more need to be trained so that they can locate in the towers that you suggest at times may be undermanned? I assume that as in many jobs, the more senior staff have different roles to those who have just started in the job so that has to be considered as well.

Does the staff turnover vary between locations and is it above three per cent per annum overall? Is it related to work pressure or is it more a case of a controller applying for and accepting a job in another country such as UAE (DXB airport) that's growing and urgently requires qualified staff.

Which would be more stressful for the staff - a single runway at BNE meaning a lot of aircraft lining up or being sequenced to arrive on a single runway, or (mostly) the two parallel runways 34 and 16 being available at SYD (although SYD overall is of course busier than BNE)?

I am not suggesting anything other than the fact controllers are often short staffed at many locations. I have no idea about staff turnover, DXB was hiring thirty years ago and have not stopped. As for what's more stressful, I would say working at the secondary airports where English skills and pilot skills are often in the novice category. Jandakot and Bankstown would be the busiest daylight airports in Australia

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/Airport-Movement-Financial-YTD-April-2013.pdf

 

[Melburnian1]

Tonight the staff in SYD are really earning their salaries on the day that was the start of a very early 'bushfire season' in outer Sydney. There's a queue of planes in holding patterns, with a lot of the arrivals and departures at least 40 minutes late. There's some medium turbulence reported by various pilots.

The stress is evident with one controller momentarily getting confused between QF and VA (not in any dangerous way - he corrected himself quickly) and another not initially realising that another plane was already on descent.

It wouldn't be a job for most of us, thank you very much.

 

[Etrust]

I have had more stressful jobs. The difference is I work with great people. It is testament to their professionalism, skill and character that they let the enormous amount of criticism, from within and from without, simply wash over them like water off a ducks back. Two bit hack journalists, bloggers, and SkyGod pilots who all know better - none of these types make any impact on these folk when it comes down to walking the walk. The talk part is cheap.

Even when getting used as an industrial relations pawn in the pointless political arguments fought by the usual suspects on the sidelines (being accused of sick out, illegal strikes etc. when it has never happened in Australia for nearly 30 years), they just come in, and keep moving the traffic around the artificial cones in the sky to protect the electorates of the incumbents, around the real cones in the skies of the summer thunderstorms, thread the priority flights with the critical patients, the flights with an emergency, and the flights carrying those very same VIP politicians safely home.

And you are right. At the end of the day, walk out the door and leave it all behind.