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engaged. By the end of the year, approval had been given for the establishment to be increased
by an additional ten receptionists, effective from 1st April, 1972, on the lines suggested in the
Birmingham report.
During the year the high rate of turnover of staff continued. Twenty-six receptionists resigned
and thirty-three were appointed, leaving fifteen vacancies to be filled on 31st December. It seems
that the main reasons for leaving are either marriage or the attraction of an airline. A closer study
of the reasons is being undertaken and to this end a fairly detailed questionnaire is being issued
to those who resign, in the hope of gaining an insight into staff problems, and thereby reducing
the rate of turnover.
Much time was lost to the Unit as a result of sickness. There is no doubt that some of the
uncertificated absences were due to genuine illness, but it was noticeable that certain members
of the staff were absent for the odd shift on far too many occasions and these were often receptionists
whose work and efficiency was below standard in other respects.
ACCOMMODATION
Terminals 1 and 2
There were no changes to record.
Terminal 3 (Arrivals Building)
Piers 5 and 6 and North Coach Station
Despite ups and downs in the number of available receptionists, the Unit maintained a service
for flight clearance of health-controlled flights on Piers 5 and 6 and at the North Coach Station
without causing too much complaint.
Improvements in regard to heating and lighting of the desks on Piers 5 and 6 which had been
scheduled to start at the end of 1970 were halted owing to controversy over the central desk at
each "finger". This related to the use of these desks by the airlines for security purposes when
their staff were checking outgoing passengers. By the end of the year, no definite decision had
been reached on this contentious matter, although it was agreed to delay no further the work
required on the two side desks of the fourteen "fingers".
A cold spell during November rendered the North Coach Station almost untenable, due to
failure of the ceiling heaters and also to the fact that airline staff escorting flights through Health
Control failed to close the outside doors. Improvements occurred when the Airport Management
and their engineers eventually repaired the heaters and agreed to erect anti-draught screens
between the check desks and the outside doors.
Pier 7
This Pier, designed primarily for use by the "Jumbo" jets received its first health-controlled
flight when Air India started Far East operations in May. Thereafter this airline brought in three
flights per week. As a special concession, the staff agreed to clear their passengers at the Gate
rooms on Pier 7, despite the fact that there were no facilities. During November and December,
BOAC started "747" operations to and from the Far East and South Africa, likewise Qantas from
the Far East, South African Airways from South Africa and Pan American Airways from the East.
All these flights, which were subject to health control, were cleared on Pier 7 despite the
shortage of staff. Desks were loaned by the British Airports Authority and passengers requiring
revaccination had to be escorted back to base in the Terminal Arrivals Building.
At the end of the year the position was that the tenancy agreement between the British Airports
Authority and the Borough had been signed, as also had repayment forms for minor works to be
carried out by the British Airports Authority in the immunisation accommodation. The work was
scheduled to be completed early in 1972.
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