Avl controller experienced a near loss of separation event when traffic suddenly increased to a poin...

Narrative:

I was working east radar position/hand off combined and was the only person in the TRACON. Aircraft X was on a track from the southeast to the northwest at 8;000 ft. Aircraft Y was on a southwesterly course; also at 8;000. I became busy; and wasn't able to call for assistance. As a result; of trying to handle everything by myself; I didn't notice that the two aircraft were on converging courses. The local controller called down and pointed out to me that the two were at the same altitude. I was able to issue headings to each aircraft in time to avoid a loss of separation; but it would have been extremely close if the other controller hadn't spoken up. This is a situation I've been concerned about for some time. We have become complacent and people don't seem to want to keep the hand off position open. There's an overall feeling that it reflects on the radar controller negatively if they have someone working that position. At the very least; an additional person needed to be in the TRACON to help. However; that isn't enough; controllers will often sit back at the supervisor's desk and expect the radar controller to ask for help if he needs it. The newer controllers especially won't ask for help because they feel they need to prove themselves.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AVL Controller experienced a near loss of separation event when traffic suddenly increased to a point that he/she could not ask for assistance; the reporter noting a facility attitude with regard to opening the hand off position.

Narrative: I was working East RADAR position/hand off combined and was the only person in the TRACON. Aircraft X was on a track from the southeast to the northwest at 8;000 FT. Aircraft Y was on a southwesterly course; also at 8;000. I became busy; and wasn't able to call for assistance. As a result; of trying to handle everything by myself; I didn't notice that the two aircraft were on converging courses. The Local Controller called down and pointed out to me that the two were at the same altitude. I was able to issue headings to each aircraft in time to avoid a loss of separation; but it would have been extremely close if the other controller hadn't spoken up. This is a situation I've been concerned about for some time. We have become complacent and people don't seem to want to keep the Hand Off position open. There's an overall feeling that it reflects on the RADAR Controller negatively if they have someone working that position. At the very least; an additional person needed to be in the TRACON to help. However; that isn't enough; controllers will often sit back at the supervisor's desk and expect the RADAR Controller to ask for help if he needs it. The newer controllers especially won't ask for help because they feel they need to prove themselves.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1006910
Time
Date	201204
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	AVL.Airport
State Reference	NC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	SR22
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	SR22
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Departure Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

Avl controller experienced a near loss of separation event when traffic suddenly increased to a point that he/she could not ask for assistance; the reporter noting a facility attitude with regard to opening the hand off position.