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Post by hlsto2 on Jun 25, 2015 15:29:48 GMT -5
outstanding letter by the contractors! I especially like the comments on page 7 and 8. how can the faa even bein to explain away this evidence?
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Post by alstein on Jun 25, 2015 20:26:03 GMT -5
Local Senator is saying as far as they can tell there are no plans to shut down sites. I don't think they'll be able to do it within three months without massive pushback from across the board- including ATCs. 10/1/16 is possible, but given that's just one year from EOC- they may just ride out the contract and think it's easier to just not give new ones and shut it down then. Current contract ends on September 30, 2018 ... assuming all options are exercised. The contracts were added an additional option year shortly after the awards, which started December 1, 2013. This added option year was to make up for the long delay in awards to several of the groups due to protests running their course. I just expect them to not do it- and if something happens, say they were too busy doing "real work". (they consider our job to be beneath them)
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Post by skobie on Jun 26, 2015 11:10:29 GMT -5
That's the spirit alstein! Keep your head up. We're all in this together. If they close even one of the 57 stations, we're all on the chopping block next, regardless. And even if you're not on the current proposed close list, fight now. You will be next. No more negative nellies on this board. Keep contacting the User Groups, even if you've contacted them before. They seem to be very receptive of updates and keeping them in the loop. If you know anyone who works for the User Groups, call and talk to them. At the very least, they all have email/ comments to email on their various websites. Feel free to post any feedback from anyone, good or bad.
skobie
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Post by alstein on Jun 26, 2015 12:23:48 GMT -5
I'm prepared (as much as possible) for the worst, I'm hoping for the best.
I just know if this job goes, I'll be finding a new career at an age where it starts to become difficult. That's a little worrying.
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Post by consltg on Jun 27, 2015 21:26:41 GMT -5
Has anybody heard WHEN this implementation from CWO to LAWRS would take place, if they decide to go ahead and close the 57 sites? Heard reports of at least a year or as early as 10/1/15. I would think their would still be discussions and evaluations yet to take place, and can they realistically be ready to do this transition in 3 months time? Just wondering what others are hearing since I'm getting so many different answers already. But, that's nothing new when it comes to the FAA I guess. Thanks.
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Post by wxspecialist on Jul 8, 2015 12:15:49 GMT -5
I wish they would say something and not leave us hanging. I would like to take some time off during the summer if we are going to stay. If they are going to can us at least I could hold off on taking time off and cash out my vacation since the money would come in handy when I'm unemployed. Plus I would have plenty off time off when I'm unemployed.
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Post by coldlover on Jul 8, 2015 12:35:41 GMT -5
The FAA treats the talk/action of downgrading from CWO to LAWRS like it's some kind of CIA operation. Secretive as all get out. Maybe that is because they know darn well that by being transparent -- their gig is up. All to pat the cronies wallets in DC and a few promotions for the OIC.
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Post by consltg on Jul 8, 2015 13:10:27 GMT -5
Yeah, I've been so nervous and on edge the last week or so and it makes me angry at the FAA that they can be this cold and ruthless too treat people this way. But that's business I guess unfortunately. It just seems unfathomable that NOBODY right now knows anything as to what's going to happen, and the big day is coming real soon. Please everyone, whether your site is affected or not, keep fighting as if your life depended on it. Thanks to all who are!!!!!
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Post by kukblue1 on Jul 8, 2015 17:53:23 GMT -5
If they say too soon when our last day will be everyone will go out and find other jobs (especially part timers) and then they will have to shell out overtime and realize the tower is not ready to take over obs.
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Post by coldairfunnel on Jul 21, 2015 13:05:17 GMT -5
I am thinking of sending the following letter to the stakeholders. Before I do I would appreciate any comments or suggestions...thanks...
To Whom It May Concern,
I am certain that you have received numerous e-mails and/or letters recently from Contract Weather Observers (CWO) around the country offering their input on why the FAA is making a mistake in dismantling the CWO program and turning over weather observing responsibility to the Air Traffic Controllers. So, I won’t take up your valuable time repeating the same information, although I could go on and on and provide you with additional insight as to why it is a disastrous plan. I would just like to talk about a few topics; one of them being the dash ( - ) and what a difference a dash can make.
The dash is probably one of the most important elements of a weather observation during inclement weather. For those of you that have knowledge of reading a weather report you know that the dash indicates light precipitation, whether it be liquid, freezing or frozen. Typically, liquid precipitation does not affect how you conduct operations, although it could in some circumstances. But, the intensity of freezing or frozen precipitation can make all the difference in the world. The intensity and type of this weather phenomena dictate how and, even if, you will be able to conduct operations at all. For example, light freezing drizzle ( -FZDZ ) requires you to use a different form of de-icer than would be required if light freezing rain ( -FZRA ) were falling and visa versa. This equates to $$$$$. Can we agree on this? I think so.
I recently read an article where the FAA said it is saving the air lines millions of dollars a year by reducing their taxi time by two minutes. So, how many millions do you think you will lose due to inaccurate weather reporting by the tower? Imagine sitting at the gate, not being able to push back, because the weather report shows “UP” (unknown precipitation) or sitting at the gate or at the end of the runway not being able to push back or take off because moderate FZRA is being reported when, in actuality it is only -FZRA (light freezing rain). There’s that dash I was talking about. That little dash can (will) cost you millions of dollars a year in lost revenue. It will also cause flight delays and disgruntled passengers because they couldn’t make their connecting flights, etc., etc., etc. The list could go on and on. Wow!! What a difference a dash can make. And, it will not do you any good to complain because the tower can always say (and will) “priority of duties” and rightfully so. Their primary existence is to control and separate aircraft on the ground and in flight….not worry about a dash (-).
As you have probably read or been told, once the Air Traffic Controllers take over weather observing duties they will not, I repeat, not be required to go outside to observe the “elements“.
Under today’s standards weather observing is performed at the surface. Always has been and always should be. Evaluating cloud bases, visibility and present weather requires that a human go outside and observe the “elements” and there are many rules that dictate how and what to report and when. This cannot be accomplished if no one is required to go outside. The FAA’s answer to that is they will have airport personnel call the tower whenever they observe freezing or frozen precipitation falling or anything else that the controller could not report without going outside to observe.
How archaic is that? With today’s technology they have to resort to having information relayed to the tower by an outside source. How stupid!!!
A majority of the time, anything that gets reported, or not reported, is going to be determined by a computer, namely the ASOS. And, it will only report what “it sees” according to it’s programming and most of the time that leaves a lot to be desired. The present ASOS system cannot report many of the present weather types. Thus, it has to be augmented by a human in order to report it and this cannot be done without going outside to observe it.
The ASOS does not always “see” what a human observer “sees”. Consequently, you are not always going to have a complete and accurate reporting of the weather occurring at any given time.
Now, the FAA will dispute that and tell you that with advances being made every day with the ASOS it does not require constant monitoring by a human observer and Air Traffic Controllers can, and already do provide equal or better quality weather observations. I would like to know what their definition of “quality” is. I can provide you with reams and reams of errors or incorrect weather reports being reported by the towers today that CWO’s have been gathering to support our cause during the past year that will dispute any quality that the FAA says exists. And, you can expect this same “quality” reporting if the FAA succeeds with their plans. There is no quality control system set in place and absolutely no accountability. Any one of these errors or omissions committed by the tower observers would result in immediate termination if committed by a CWO. Of course, the FAA has an answer for that, as I said before….….“priority of duties”. A CWO has no excuse. Our “ONLY” duty is observing and reporting weather. You can “always” expect quality reporting with a CWO. Not so with tower observations.
As for advances…I have been a CWO for over 15 years and the only advances I have seen is being able to report more than one FEW cloud layers and a lightning detection system, called ALDARS, that is unrepresentative most of the time. How many times have you seen a weather report that shows CLR skies with a thunderstorm and LTG DSNT ALQUADS in remarks? Or, CLR skies with light snow or freezing drizzle or rain? Wow!!! Quality at it’s best!! A CWO would be fired if this kind of garbage was allowed to be reported on their watch and rightfully so.
In closing, I remind you that the FAA says “equal quality or better weather observations” by the “highly trained” Air Traffic Controllers. I almost vomit every time I hear or read that statement. Folks, the FAA is just flat-ass lying to you and if you believe their hogwash and allow them to proceed with the dismantling of the CWO program then you will most assuredly lose millions of dollars because of it. I don’t know of a simpler way to say it.
So, that’s it. Help us fight the fight. Stand up and be counted. Your safety and the safety of your passengers may be at stake. Would you agree?
I am also sending a copy of this complaint to the national media. They can add it to the recent discovery of some current and would-be controllers that were provided answers to tests and exams to gain FAA employment. Should make for some interesting reading.
Thank you for taking your valuable time to read my complaints. Sorry, I cannot provide my name or location for fear of reprisals from the FAA. Let’s just say I am a “Concerned Weather Observer” (CWO)…..
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Post by skobie on Jul 21, 2015 22:02:04 GMT -5
Nice job coldairfunnel. Probably get rid of the term "flat-ass" because some desk jockey might be offended by it, since they probably have one after sitting on it for 20 years. Now start mass producing and don't be afraid to use your name.
skobie
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Post by toofarnorth on Jul 22, 2015 15:15:16 GMT -5
Should we add the ATC that was caught drunk on the job 7/21/15 in Springdale Arkansas? CWOs get fired - it takes an act of congress and national media attention to get an ATC fired.
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