Fat controller

Quite a disparaging statement I think. I am a "civvy" but have worked internationally with many ex military controllers, mainly great people but they all laugh about " inflated" military CVs, it happens all the time. As for the point of taking a military aircraft through UK airspace. That is what all controllers do day to day, mainly " civvy" controllers with a LOT more aircraft to handle. This is not management it is Air Traffic Control. Management is something completely different. Dealing with people, budgets, policy etc. Many controllers never want to enter that world. As for not having a "civvy" ATC licence that, if true, is quite a shock. ALL previous ATC managers were fully qualified controllers and had to stand in when there were staff sickness problems.

Quite unbelievable! More ATC closures. Someone should ask ( MHK?) to see the shift roster in order to understand what the problem is. It is quite feasible to operate ATC at Ronaldsway without a radar controller under what we know as "procedural" control. Allbeit at reduced capacity, but given the low level of traffic, this should not be a probem.

You are quicker than me getting the information but I'm on holiday!. So....with that number of ATCOS ( controllers) it should still be possible to keep the airport open during scheduled hours. Unless...... there is an underlying management problem where the ATCOS do not agree good will.

Actually the rules have changed but so slightly that it really should not make a significant difference. So madmanxpilot is essentially correct. Let's face it EGNS ( Ronaldsway) is not exactly EGLL ( Heathrow) where controllers are under constant pressure. Unfortunately a lot of this falls under the lack of forward planning from high management. I just hope that the new (ish) Director has some forward vision, and I give him benefit of doubt, but 18 controllers seems to be an overkill! As a matter of interest does MMP know how many active qualified, or partly qualified (ADC) , controllers they have? I can find out but if the information is available.........

I really cannot sit back and watch the ongoing fiasco at Ronaldsway. Closures due to staff shortages? On paper ( so the recent report states) they have 14 controllers. They want to increase to 18!. I worked in Air Traffic Control when the airport was far busier and we operated the same hours, under the same working hour restrictions as today, with only 9 controllers. We never closed for breaks or opened late. We knew the public service came first.. has that attitude changed? Seems so.