Tuesday, May 3, 2011

WTH: Maybe Your Solution Is Part Of The Problem

In a shake-up of the system, new managers were appointed to key positions that oversee the operation of airport towers and regional radar centers that handle planes flying at high altitudes as well as approaches and departures, the agency said in a statement. A new manager was also appointed to run a regional radar center near Cleveland. The previous managers are being reassigned.
Reassigned?  Not fired for failing miserably at managing employees?  The man in charge of operations resigns, and these guys just get moved around?  Sure, the guys who fell asleep were fired (mostly) but this seems a bit like a slap on the wrist when lives are at stake and they were in direct contact with those who dropped the ball.  Mistakes happen, and tragedy always finds us.  But little things like staying awake and looking around with a sweeping motion of the eyes helps keep the odds tipped in our favor.
"This sends a powerful message, and it's the right message," said Gregory McGuirk, an associate professor of air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. "It's one way to shake up the culture." 
I'm not so sure I get the message.  Gross negligence, absolute lack of oversight or follow-up gets reassigned, and we're supposed to be impressed with their shaking up the culture?  What the hell was the culture like before?  If this is how they take things seriously, I'd hate to see light duty.  Oh wait, we already did.  

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