FSS "Upgrade"

[DanBrown]

I got this note from a local flight instructer today that I thought the tribe would be interested in:

"As most of you are aware, the privatization of Flight Service has not gone smoothly. Wait times are often excess, briefers often do not know our local airspace and have a hard time retrieving information about it, and some briefers can't even file a flight plan properly. Potomac approach recently published a noticed that 4 out of 5 flight plans are not reaching them under the new FSS management."

So use www.duat.com or the AOPA flight planner...

[Mark Julicher]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

FSS is broken.

It routinely takes 10 minutes to get a briefer on the phone just to check for TFRs. The voice recognition system is clunky and slow. Lockheed even had a voice-over while I was on hold apologizing for not doing a good job implementing the automated FSS. (I hope there are penalty clauses in the contract.)

I think FSS is in cahoots with Verizon Wireless to drive my cell phone minutes through the roof.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

I thought that privatization was supposed to make everything better--run smoother--be more efficient and less expensive. Am I missing something here.

Sorry to be cynical but I was on hold with FSS for appx 5-10 minutes the other day. I wanted a briefing and to also wanted know if there were any TFRs in the area. The prerecorded message that I listened to every so often became annoying after hearing it for the umpteenth time.

FD
N43684

[crispy critter]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

I certinly aggree. Back in the good old days(last year,lol),I could call flight service from my home based airport and almost always talked to one of the 6 people who knew me by name just by hearing my voice,I never had to wait more then a couple minutes on the busiest of days and they were always helpful and knew the area I was flying and the weather patterns. Lately I get put on hold,wait,wait,and wait some more just to talk to someone who really acts like they could care less if I fly into a mountain side. Plus they don't know the area,they can't find my airport on there data base,I always have to give them a nearby airport that has a FSS based there and then tell them where I am in relation to it. How in the hell can they give me the specific location of a TFR to my base location if they can't even pull 9I3 up in there data base...hell it's one every pilot user web site one the internet! They get testy if I ask specific questions about what the radar is showing for a certain area or what the winds are at a certain airpot ,or anything that isn't specificly included in the standard or abrv. briefing. They don't act friendly at all.They don't seem to care if you ask them how they are doind today or anything else...they just reply like a damn robot in most cases. Like most things in this day and age,a change for the better usually means you'd better watch out because it's about to get worse.....in most cases.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

In more romantic days: Trinidad CO, Akron, CO., Goodland, KS, North Platte, NE, etc, etc, had local FSS offices, free coffee, accomodating people, and particularly valuable knowledge of weather. You'd land and hang out until the front passed, thunderstorm disappated, or snow and ice warmed to flyable conditions. The coffee, I don't miss -- it was always marginal... but the local meteorlogical knowledge I very much miss. No matter what Washington DC, or Kansas City MO severe weather center said... the local guy had an opinion that was more trustworthy.

In Colorado we get "up slope." Easterly winds back fill clouds on the east side of the Rockies and it's a bitch to predict. Denver couldn't get it right... but the guys watching the trends in the eastern Colorado plains were usually spot on.

No matter the mega doppler radars and super computer crunching cyborgs of the modern system... I miss the local yolkle with a sixth sense and bad free coffee. I miss the man in the fss shack with the best, most trustworthy opinion. I miss every one of them, everyday. The current system is regionally based for 500 mph jets. This little
change of the "better" makes flying cross country in tiny Taylorcrafts all the more dangerous.

I care less about the phone wait and more about the phone stupid. Talking to someone in Kansas City, or ABQ
about a tropically interconnected convective storm front running along the spine of the Colorado/Kansas border is like talking to penquins about beach property in the Bahamas.

With regards; ED OBRIEN

[mulwyk]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

Frank sez: "I thought that privatization was supposed to make everything better--run smoother--be more efficient and less expensive. Am I missing something here."

Yes, Frank, you're missing the profit motive. We will get the absolute minimum service and longest wait possible in order to insure maximum profit for the private "contractor". And individuals, as you know, have no power to improve the situation. About all we can do is to work through organizations like EAA and AOPA, but I doubt they can do much.

I'm afraid it's over for the local FSS system, it's gone, but at least you'll have some great stories about the old days to tell your grandkids.

There are plenty of goverment services where privatization makes sense, but the FSS was not one of them.

Of course, you can always complain to your Congressperson (HA, HA...Ok, that's just my little joke, don't waste your time)

[O.Taylor]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

I couldn't believe it, a few days ago I tried to get a brief just before sundown, just to be sure of no TFR's, it was almost dark before a real person came on. this AM, I was to take the company plane out, so as the hangar doors were opening, I started dialing, I figured be the time I got the pre-flight done, I may get through, got the usual recording, do you want a briefer?, what state are you calling from, it rang twice and a real voice came on line, I was not expecting that, other than his foreign accent everything went well, when he asked at the end if there was anything else he could help me with, I asked him if he was in India, he said no. O.T.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

I hope Haliburton is giving better service to our troops in Iraq than what we are getting from Lockheed Martin.

Frank D
N43684

[mulwyk]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

Frank:
My son's just back from Iraq. Haliburton (KBR) ran the mess hall at his base there. He said that every time anyone entered the mess hall, no matter if they got a full meal or a cup of coffee, Haliburton would ding the US govt. for $28. At the same time, all the employees were from (you guessed it) India and they were getting 60 cents an hour. He said the food was ok, but it was always the same, "Brown and Gray Stuff" Big, big profits for Haliburton!

Mostly, it's the US taxpayer that's getting serviced by Haliburton.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

And we did not even get a little kiss while being "serviced".

Frank
N43684

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

Bob,

All kidding aside and in a more serious note, I want to thank your son for his service to our country.

Frank
N43684

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

There are many places to get Aviation weather. SEE SOME OF THEM BELOW

http://adds.aviationweather.gov/satellite/

http://www.wsi.com/fly/wxaopa/thankyou.asp

My point is: (1) Computer based services are quick and efficent once you get used to them. So, get used to them.
This stuff is better than trying to figure out where: "Along and 50 miles either side of a line between Barley-corn Nebraska to 20 miles north and 50 miles either side of GooneyBird, TX." Looking at the presentation laid over a map makes better sense to me.
(2) Save the FSS briefers for in the in the air contacts and updated advisories that require the spoken word. Use the computers for all other written word briefing requirement.
In other words, don't burden the system like you would by calling 9-1-1 every time you want to talk to police about where you should pay a parking ticket or asking where to get your driver's license.
1-800-WX-Brief used to take care of everything. It no longer does. I don't think it's supposed to. We probably need to learn this. Just an idea. For which I'll likely receive
some written abuse from board members.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[flyer1]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

I worked in FSS for 16 years. I was one of the lucky ones. I got out before the contracting out. 1-800 WX BRIEF is for all calls just like it used to be. The problem is, it does not work like it used to. I worked in one of the old FSS with the bad coffee and personel service. I knew all of the local pilots. I went thru the first consolidation. It was tough but we managed and learned how to cope. This new set up is FUBAR. I have given up. I use ADDS and file thru Dispatch. I dont know what I will do for VFR flight plans.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

Splain FUBAR.

[flyer1]

Re: FSS "Upgrade"

FUBAR = Fouled up beyond all recignition.