My friend L. became an ATCO in 1974. Ever since she started she was promised that she would be allowed to retire from her shift activity after a certain number of years. The latest agreement allowed her to retire -keeping her pay- at 52 after 30 years of shifts, or at 55 after 17 years. She could have done either, but she decided to stay: her working conditions and rest were such that her night-time recovery was OK, and she still enjoyed her job and could do it safely.
Recently there has been a change in timetables (once again, imposed). Mornings start at 6.45 or 7.30 instead of 8. Evenings end at 10.30 or 11.30 instead of 10. Under the new conditions, she now wants to leave -her pay halved- as she is over 60.
L. has decided that she has had enough, and she should be able to retire. She deserves it and she has already done her share. Aena has said that 62 years of age is enough. But they have told L. that, considering she is still operational, she can't go.
Mr Lema still hasn't admitted there is a severe shortage of ATCO's. Eurocontrol has. Even the Press has. But Mr Lema won't. Conditions are so bad in Spain that colleagues are fleeing to Germany, Switzerland, even Bahrein. Others are reducing their hours, according to legislation, to care for their children or their ageing parents.
Aena has to keep as many ATCO's on board as possible. But the ship is still sinking. Spain is (i would add arguably, but I believe it's beyond argument) now the most understaffed, undertrained, under-rested and overworked airspace in Europe. It beholds more delays and near misses than anywhere else. I dare not say any more, lest I be accused of scaremongering…
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