[Kharon]

Primal Scream Therapy.

Despite the intellectual, academic and medical disagreements relating to the ‘effectiveness’ of this theory – it remains in common everyday use – on a very basic human level. I’ve seen many variations on the theme – someone ‘looses it’ – and all hell breaks loose, in one form or another. How many here have witnessed the sound and fury of a two year old temper tantrum? It can be quite a show; but then the two year old ain’t constrained by the trimmings society requires; they just let it rip, full throttle, until the anger has passed or, is managed by the parent and the lesson that this behaviour is not acceptable is eventually learned (mostly).

Now then, our friend and comrade Mark, president of the AOPA and Falcon Air CEO is well past the time of having a full two year old temper ‘tanty’ or ‘chucking a wobbly’. He just can’t, can he? Not only do the Gods know he is fully entitled to one; but industry agrees. From day one his operation has been frustrated, mostly by two of the worst FOI’s to ever wear the CASA Guernsey.

Out of respect for Mark, we will not trot out the whole sorry tale; not yet. There are huge sums invested, jobs on the line and many other weighty considerations which prevent all this sorry tale from becoming public knowledge. However, in time, the tale will become seen as a litmus test for the Joyce administration; that you can take to the bank. There are documented cases which cover the entire gambit of ‘CASA - Bankstown’ actions from Pel-Air to Falcon which demand a full and open inquiry; conducted under the rules of evidence. Perjury is just one item high on the list for independent scrutiny, there are others, of equal weight and concern which cannot be ignored; not for too much longer.

Carmody is Chester’s man – as CEO he must be aware of the consequences related to CASA actions. Joyce is the latest incumbent of the transport seat; if he retains Carmody then we can see the future is more of the Falcon treatment; if he ‘get’s real’ and hires new CEO for both ATSB and CASA then we may yet see an end to the disgraceful behaviour on display at the moment.

There is only one thing certain – none of this is going away. Operators and their crews need to be free of the constant ‘threat’ of becoming ‘criminal’, fear of reprisal for disagreement with ‘opinion’; and, being forced to accept that there are no options other than complete acquiescence to any and all dictates of the less than competent bully boys. Those who not only believe they are above the law, but that their ‘opinion’ overrides the law, common sense, decency and experience; then spin faery stories to support the argument; which are always backed up by the ‘Ethics’ committee ruling.

Let the minister consider just one small element: the ‘Audit’. If a company bring in ‘independent’ auditors who are trained and qualified to use the IOSA system; then the ‘audit’ is always welcome. Areas which can be improved are noted, discussed and actioned; the next audit will examine the result of the ‘tweaking’; and, the ‘fix’ will be refined, again, to become of real value. In short, real safety improvement, real systems monitoring and efficient compliance is a direct result. That audit is looked forward to by the beneficiary. Mention the CASA version to any operator and measure the result, weigh the benefit and count the cost in time and money wasted defending the company from closure. Chalk and Cheese.

The rumour floating about needs some supporting data – but as it currently stands – the last CASA audit of Falcon has cost two lives and denied several others a chance of an improved life. As near as we can discover, there was a heart, lungs, liver, kidney and eyes lost through the inability of Falcon to perform. There was, allegedly, a critical patient in Noumea who passed away because transport to specialist treatment could not be provided. Should this rumour translate into fact then it is well past time to call a halt on the antics of CASA, it is time to bring charges and prosecute.

What a great way to start the New Year – another fatal and a grounded essential service. I say – no matter the black letter ‘technical’ reasons for preventing Falcon flight crew operating, there was no lack of either training, recent experience or competency. The crews could and would have performed safely, effectively and legally. This was a nasty little power play, ostensibly to demonstrate CASA power and prevent comment being made on social media. Disgusting.

What say you minister? There’s the pot – will ye piss or get off it?



Toot – toot.