Flt Ops Review

[MeerKat]

Our Branch

Our Branch

I side with former flake, the msn spt type jobs should be our bread and butter and yes I know a good number of middle order flt lts who are fighting tooth and nail for not just Flt Ops, but also TG9 as well; because (and this may surprise a few out there) we actually care about this.
I've said it on another thread, the branch (or specialisation if you're being pedantic) really, REALLY, missed a trick by not embracing the TG when it had the chance.
Anyway, I'll stop myself before I start gettign on my soap-box.

 

[the flying pig]

Meerkat,

You are right, a trick was missed by not embrasing G9 when the Flt Ops Specialisation was formed. However, we were never given the option! ATC were never going to relinquish responsibility for TG9. Additionally, when originally formed Flt Ops was not established with any staff support - still hasn't got any now either! Take a look at ATC, Regt, Admin, Aircrew, Supply, etc etc they all have a selection of personnel at HQSTC and HQPTC to guide their policy, training etc. Flt Ops has nobody!

So, to take on TG9? Who would do it? Let alone who the hell has been driving the specialisation for the past 8 years. In answer there is nobody and has been nobody, other than a very over worked Branch Sponsor and a few officers who give up their time on top of their day jobs! Not a good situation.

The top level brass have all been canvassed about this situation and all agree it is less than ideal and that staff support is urgently needed. BUT they keep asking the branch sponsor where he is going to get the money to establish the posts and he hasn't got any! So - we are stuck!

Some areas are improving the ATC bods at Training Group have adopted Flt Ops and have REALLY been working hard to fight out corner. The temporary establishment of a Flt Ops position at Halton to do the training review and a few other projects is also a help. But a far cry from what we need.

Quite frankly, until some positions are established, or transfered from ATC (now there is an idea) to enable us to look after ourselves AND TG9 it is never going to happen and nor would I want it to. You are better off where you are, rather than being looked after by nobody!!

If the situation changes - then will be the time.

As for some of you out there who seem to be under the impression that FOTF (TTF) is not wanted/ was never wanted by FOTS! Not sure what was the case, but for the past 2 years it has been a very much wanted and of huge importance to FOTS. It is the main part of FOTS and the staff there know that. So please don't feel unloved any longer!!

 

[Stax]

Sorry, nothing to do with this thread, just to say........... Opz! you're sexy! woof woof

 

[Opz]

Stax,

Dammit- So you have worked out who I am! Or at least you HOPE you have. I could be anyone! mwah haha haaaaa.

I shall be speaking to your boss about this. *cracks whip*

 

[MeerKat]

Putting the Ops World to Rights

Putting the Ops World to Rights

FlyingPig
I can agree / understand / see what your saying with most of your last, and as an Ops O would love some sort of direction from the top!
Having an Ops Deskie would be a fine start, as would a Gp Capt or (heaven forbid) a 1 star to look after us would help as well.
But, until I learn to behave and can get promoted past SO3, I guess the best I can do at the mo is look after the TG9 bods who are under my command when I'm posted back into 'my real world'.
BTW I happen to know the person who is working on the review of the trg and I know they are a passionate about the branch (sorry, specialisation) as me. It might just help

 

[MeerKat]

Helo,
Yes there is, 'He' got picked up this year and yes he did join to be an Ops O. Light at the end of the tunnel perhaps??

 

[helo]

Thanks for the reply MeerKat, but are you sure the he you refer to was had not seen previous service/joined as a rotary crewman, and is also an acting SO2 currently, but should be confirmed this year.

 

[Stax]

Stax,

Dammit- So you have worked out who I am! Or at least you HOPE you have. I could be anyone! mwah haha haaaaa.

I shall be speaking to your boss about this. *cracks whip*

You can crack the whip anytime with me Opz. I just have to wonder if you ae sure I am who you think I am. Or is this a double bluff, hmmmmmmm!

 

[MeerKat]

Flt Ops Sqn Ldrs

Flt Ops Sqn Ldrs

Helo,
If we are talking about the same bloke then maybe? I thought his 'previous' was far enough in the past to not count as being a re-tread? From my point of view it gives me hope and he does buy me beer every now and then?
Then again, I can also think of another who has just been picked up, who was rear crew 'immediately' beforehand - is that who you mean?

 

[helo]

MeerKat

Yes, we obviously are talking about the same two people. I get your point about the first him being able to be counted as an abinitio as his rotary experience was such a long time ago, of course his is also ex army as well.

The second his is of course a much more recient ex rotary mate. Also there is word of a third pick up this year quite recent at that, a female from Lincolnshire but I dont know if she is a re tread/transfer.

Helo

 

[MeerKat]

Helo,
Looks like we are, both have the same first name etc etc etc. As for the 3rd (who came from the back of one of those multiengined thingies), last I heard she had come off the board, but was waiting for the posting notice. But then again, I'm out of branch at the mo, so I could be way off tgt. Couldn't update me old chap?
MK

 

[helo]

Meerkat

Last I heard, and it was third hand then was that she had would only take her scraper if she stayed in the Lincolnshire area. True or false I just dont know.

I did though have a conversation with the SO2 posting officer about 2 months ago and he was of the opinion that we as a branch could expect 2 or 3 SO3s to pick up on the next promotion board.

None of this we can take as fact though but that board must be sitting soon so we wait and see.



Helo

 

[MeerKat]

promo boards

promo boards

H,
Cheers for that, as normal most people know more than me hehehe.
lets keep any ear to the gnd for anymore of us 'abbies' coming off the next one - I can but hope!

 

[helo]

If anyones intrested I thing the Flt Lt Flt Ops Board sat today.

Any Comments

 

[Badger]

Why oh why

Why oh why

I have to say reading the majority of these ops bods threads really dismays me. I'm a Sgt Controller of 5 years now, and have served as an assistant in towers, station ops, squadron ops even group ops and yes there was always 'friendly' banter between Ops and Air Traffic. I had friends in every area of our trade on every station I was posted to and did my best to keep the rivalry friendly not hostile. But can someone please tell me when did it all become so nasty?

All the posts on this forum do is take that friendly banter and turn into vitriolic dislike nay hatred for each others sections. Sure sections and individuals make mistakes we're only human, and you should sort them out in the office or in the bar, not on a public forum in a mass mud slinging match. There is just no friendly rivalry here at all, and people are forgetting that we all (or most of us anyway) graduated from TTF with one another.

I also take exception to the comment that someone didn't know any Air traffiker who had a clue about aircraft operations. An extremely generalised and untrue statement, as due to the nature of the job Controllers have to know something of aircraft operations and to think otherwise is crazy. I will gladly say it isn't anywhere as detailed as our bretheren over in ops, but that is their specialization. Indeed with my years in every ops job there is I think I qualify as someone who knows something of aircraft operations from squadron level upto the top.

I am pleased to say I have friends still in the ops specialization, friends i graduated TTF with, friends i worked with and friends I still get together with. I hope they don't see me as the enemy now as some on here appear to, and if the worst should ever happen and I couldn't control anymore I would hope I and my experience would be welcomed across to the ops side with open arms.

Isn't it about time we all started pulling together as TG9? I bet the Scope Dopes are having a great laugh at this.

 

[Hmmmm]

Hear hear. Too many chips on too many shoulders.