binovc
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by binovc on Jun 24, 2020 16:25:54 GMT -5
Our office is in the basement of the ATC tower/tracon. Tracon is also in the basement.
When I got to work yesterday swing, the hallway to the tower (on the first floor) was closed off with a full floor to ceiling, wall to wall plastic sheet, stating do not enter, deep cleaning in progress. Silly me, I thought nothing much about it. When the mid guy showed up, he said that he heard through the grapevine on his previous shift that one of the tower controllers tested positive. He figured something was up when an unknown cleaning crew showed up at 3AM.
I checked the FAA covid website, and sure enough. Tower was temporarily located to an alternate site.
Wouldn't you think that everyone working in the building would be notified?? I spoke with one of the regular housekeeping staff today, and they were also not notified.
WTF?
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Post by northwx on Jun 24, 2020 17:37:28 GMT -5
Typical thoughtless arrogance...
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binovc
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by binovc on Jul 8, 2020 17:08:04 GMT -5
I wonder what would happen if the CWO had to close due to a Covid case (or cases).
Anyone know what the airport would do if there were no observers available to take obs? And would it make a difference if the wx was "good" or "bad"? If so, who would be qualified to make THAT determination, if not someone with a wx obs certificate?
It's hard to believe they would have to cease operations due to "no weather observer available."
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Post by snowwx on Jul 9, 2020 4:59:40 GMT -5
I wonder what would happen if the CWO had to close due to a Covid case (or cases). Anyone know what the airport would do if there were no observers available to take obs? And would it make a difference if the wx was "good" or "bad"? If so, who would be qualified to make THAT determination, if not someone with a wx obs certificate? It's hard to believe they would have to cease operations due to "no weather observer available." The FAA would just let the ASLOP run by itself...Wx good or bad is irrelevant ...they would just say let it go on its own...In the FAA, there is NO ONE qualified to make a meteorological decision...Only qualified meteorologist can make a call...but they don't exist in the FAA...ATC/ATO is running the program...unfortunately... |
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Post by alstein on Jul 9, 2020 22:11:31 GMT -5
We had this happen already, and it was left to run by itself in AUTO. Isn't that what happened to Midway?
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Post by snowwx on Jul 10, 2020 3:18:02 GMT -5
We had this happen already, and it was left to run by itself in AUTO. Isn't that what happened to Midway? yep |
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Post by alwayswx on Jul 10, 2020 10:56:21 GMT -5
Are you suggesting the airport be shut down if the WX office is closed? Please give good ideas to improve the entire system instead of complaining about FAA, CWO, ASOS.
Planes have landed at uncontroled fields without CWO or controllers.
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Post by alstein on Jul 10, 2020 12:50:58 GMT -5
Also, not all airports have CWO and ATC in the same building. That can influence things.
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Post by hlsto2 on Jul 10, 2020 12:53:59 GMT -5
nobody is suggesting the ap be closed. obvious that the faa in their infinite wisdom would just let ASOS run in AUTO mode if the CWO was closed. these are the same people that brag about no degradation when touting LAWRS
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Post by hlsto2 on Jul 10, 2020 12:55:20 GMT -5
Also, not all airports have CWO and ATC in the same building. That can influence things. exactly...our CWO is in a hangar office 1/4 mile from the tower. |
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Post by northwx on Jul 14, 2020 18:29:10 GMT -5
Are you suggesting the airport be shut down if the WX office is closed? Please give good ideas to improve the entire system instead of complaining about FAA, CWO, ASOS. Planes have landed at uncontroled fields without CWO or controllers. Your spelling is indicative of your intelligence - another FAA folks... Constructive suggestion: don't shut a weather station due to virus, simply have someone do a deep cleaning with an effective disinfectant. Infected observers & ATC stay home for two weeks. |
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aurbo
New Member
Posts: 43
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Post by aurbo on Jul 14, 2020 19:53:55 GMT -5
If it's necessary for observers to work out of an alternate location while their office undergoes deep cleaning, corrections to the reports generated by an ASOS in AUTO can be made via AISR.
I think it's time for the FAA to get observers certified to take observations at several different airports as a matter of course, so that if multiple observers at one airport come down with COVID-19, temporary qualified replacements are available to fill in as soon as the office has been sanitized.
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Post by snowwx on Jul 15, 2020 6:40:49 GMT -5
Alternate location? we tried that...we were setting up plans for an alternate and to plan ahead..you know, proactionary vs reactionary,...given that we are in a tower, and they(FAA) refused to even consider it...If you close down because of the chinese communist party virus so be it...so if it ever comes to this office, aslop is on its own, as they intended...because in their minds...stand alone is equal to cwo...
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Post by weatherwatcher on Jul 15, 2020 7:32:18 GMT -5
Folks, the only way they can shut down the CWO is if the tower is shut down.
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Post by northwx on Jul 15, 2020 17:47:56 GMT -5
It's against the law for them to shut down a CWO... period. If they want to try or even if they fail to allow contingency plans, talk to the Association and to your congressional delegation. There are reasonable things we and they can do - but close us NOT.
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