NAATS Headquarters Email Update
Volume 2, #7,
November 9, 2001
NAATS AK Regional Director Alan Baker and I will meet with Chairman Don Young next Thursday to discuss modification of his language in the Aviation Security Bill. We�ll express our gratitude for his interest in our issue but also our opinion that the FAA will not negotiate in good faith and that they require more specific language.
Meanwhile I�m continuing to meet with other congressional representatives to generate support for stronger language. Last night I met with Senator Mary Landrieu (LA, appropriations) and she expressed her support and offered the services of her staff to coordinate with Senator John Breaux (LA) who is involved in the joint conference to finalize the Aviation Security Bill wording. We�re working this so that we will have a Senate sponsor to go along with Chairman Young in the House. We�re also working closely with Congressman LoBiondo�s staff who is providing support to the joint conference.
On Tuesday I attended the ATCA Awards Ceremony where AT-1 Bill Peacock received an award for Air Traffic services since September 11. He had asked that both NAATS and NATCA receive the award with him and I was happy to agree. My opinion is that Air Traffic has never been our problem in the pay negotiations impasse. Clearly that distinction goes to other FAA managers who have thus far refused to take responsibility for devaluing our air traffic controllers.
My meeting with Administrator Garvey is still on for November 30. My request to meet with Secretary Mineta has been referred back to Administrator Garvey.
AT-2 Jeff Griffith and I have talked about the need to do something immediately on the problems with the NOTAMS and TFRs. We agreed that a short term fix would be to have some NAATS bargaining unit members staff a �help desk� or �pod� to field and resolve questions and problems with the NOTAMs and TFRs. NAATS Chief Negotiator Bill Dolan and NAATS ATP Liaison Scott Malon have been working out some of the details this week and this is what it looks like so far.
The �Help desk� will be titled Flight Service Operational Support Center (FSOSC)
The NAATS Board of Directors will make the final decisions. My guess is that the details will probably be 30 days in length.
Contact your Regional Director or NAATS HQ ASAP if you are interested in serving in this capacity as selections are imminent.
NAATS Office Manager Gretna De Stefano underwent surgery last Monday. I�m happy to report that the surgery was successful and that Gretna is recovering at home. She will be out at least two weeks.
Wally Pike
ATP Liaison Scott Malon has provided more information on FSOSC below.
Briefing For ATP-300
Subject; Flight Service Operational Support Center (FSOSC) Proposal
Background; With the events of September 11th prompting the issuance of numerous NOTAMs and TFRs, the need for Flight Service expertise in the interpretation and dissemination of that information to the aviation community is paramount. Flight Service Controllers are the first line of communication for the business and general aviation communities There has literally been no Flight Service presence in the development or rationale behind the decisions governing the TFR NOTAMS making it extremely difficult to provide answers to inquiring aviators. Also, the fact that this information was prematurely posted on various non FAA websites has cast a shadow of doubt on the credibility of the FAA to provide NOTAM and TFR information in a timely and efficient manner. A work group was convened to determine the feasibility of establishing a FSOSC at the David J Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center.
Description Narrative A majority of the work group participants agreed to the concept of a pod (with some comments). Establishment of the FSOSC does not change or diminish the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. NOTAM Office (USNOF). The following describes the basic roles of the FSOSC
The FSOSC would interact with the designated Air Traffic Airspace (ATA) Representative to the extent that they would be privy to the rationale behind the issuance of TFR/FDC NOTAMS prior to their release to the field. The FSOSC would receive copies of the drafts through e-mail/fax simultaneous with USNOF. This would increase the FSOSC�s ability to answer questions promptly.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will need to be developed governing the day to day responsibilities and duties of the FSOSC personnel.
Recognize that union concerns need to be address regarding development and implementation of the FSOSC.
Other Issue