| In a week when the Motherwell train
derailment yet again demonstrated the wisdom of putting mass transport systems in private
hands, the government insisted on pressing ahead with handing over the country's air
traffic control system to acknowledged "experts" - expert, that is, in stitching
together deals for buying public assets on the cheap. A government
spokesman told the JT that the move would allow the control system at Prestwick to be
updated through the marketing opportunity afforded to the franchise holder.
"Just think about it, thousands of passengers fly above Prestwick ATC
everyday, it’s a great promotional opening." The spokesman played the JT a trial
R/T conversation between a BA Jumbo in-bound JFK to Heathrow and the new look Prestwick
operation. |
"Pilot: Good Morning ATC
Prestwick, routing please for BA 2630, current heading South East at 22,000. ATC:
Good Morning, BA2630, maintain current heading and please inform your passengers that
it’s a three for the price of two week at Tescos."
In selling off control of one of the world's busiest air corridors government
sources point out that their are following the singular lead of Fiji, the only other ATC
in private hands.
We tried to contact the franchise holder in Fiji, but his wife said Fat Jimmy of
Vanua Levu Aeronautical Contraption Services was away fishing and wasn't expected back
until the Pan Am Clipper flying boat came in a week next Thursday. |
