Date : Wednesday 11 January 2006

The Guild considers that the programme omitted several matters essential to
the understanding of the professionalism and culture of safety within Air
Traffic Control and its operations. Their accurate inclusion and portrayal
would no doubt have made for much less drama and rather more documentary in
the production.

We would stress that Controllers in the United Kingdom do have the same
legal protection as anyone else - no one is guilty until proved innocent.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch would independently, and expertly,
have been called in to investigate the dramatic but hypothetical incident
that was broadcast. Investigations into the air traffic control elements of
the incident would not be limited to the actions of an individual controller
but the equipment, workload, radar and radio recordings, air traffic
situation, the controller team, unit and employer.

Employers, trade unions and professional associations provide post-incident
support at many levels including counselling and assistance with legal
advice and representation. One current initiative in Europe is to seek to
provide a just culture in such cases ensuring legal anonymity for the
individuals concerned until all the actual circumstances are known. The
post-accident revenge murder of one of our European colleagues and a serious
revenge assault on another make this a major priority for all European
controllers.

For further information contact GATCO on 01425 673028 or 01949 876405, e-mail president@gatco.org