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Post by fu on Jan 28, 2013 16:15:49 GMT -5
The FAA revised the Service Standards used to determine if a station is a B level or a C level site last Thursday.
The changes they are planning will close up to 15 sites.
1/24/13
- Section 7.4, Tie-Breaking,
modified to remove tiebreaking criteria for a
composite score of 6.
Composite score of 6 now
always Service Level C.
- Section 8.2: Deleted
requirement that a change to
service level must be
sustained for two
consecutive years before the
change is implemented
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Post by TCU 2U2 on Jan 28, 2013 16:36:37 GMT -5
Wow ... I just linked up the 15 or so sites that show a 6 from last industry report ... and due to tie breakers, are B and not C level. I do not see the new SOP posted yet, any ideas when this will occur?
BHM Birmingham Intl
CAK Akron-Canton Regional
COS City Of Colorado Springs Muni
DLH Duluth Intl
FSD Joe Foss Field
FWA Fort Wayne Intl
LBB Lubbock Intl
MOB Mobile Regional
OTZ Ralph Wien Memorial
SAV Savannah Intl
SHV Shreveport Regional
TLH Tallahassee Regional
TVC Cherry Capital
YNG Youngstown-Warren Regional
MKG Muskegon County
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Post by Admin on Jan 28, 2013 21:28:11 GMT -5
any ideas when this will occur? I have not looked to see if this immediately changed the service levels of these sites. I would guess not though. If the changes have not taken place right away I would guess the FAA would not make any changes until the service levels officially change which would mean nothing before 10/1. However, with the budget and cost cutting anything is possible. |
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Post by toofarnorth on Jan 28, 2013 21:48:26 GMT -5
OTZ is not an FAA contract for wx obs - they have a daytime tower and a NWS forecast office - heard of any other sites than the ones mentioned in this thread that are threatened?
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Post by fu on Jan 30, 2013 19:54:16 GMT -5
The sites TCU 2U2 listed minus OTZ are going to be closed on 5/1. That really sucks.
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Post by artension on Jan 30, 2013 21:21:41 GMT -5
Definitely appreciate this information, as one of the affected. May I ask where in the pipeline you are getting this info from? Some pretty serious searches have turned up nothing on this end. I wonder if this 5/1 date hinges on current budget stuff.
Please be assured I mean no disrespect.
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Post by fu on Jan 30, 2013 21:56:05 GMT -5
^
Contractors were notified late this afternoon via email by the contract office. Here is her contact info
Kathie Petito-Peverall, Contracting Officer, AAQ-230
Facilities & Flight Services Contracts Branch
Terminal & EnRoute Contracts Division
Office : (202)385-8591
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Post by artension on Jan 30, 2013 22:10:52 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply!
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Post by fu on Jan 30, 2013 22:18:08 GMT -5
Sure.
One possible reason that the May 1 date was chosen for closing the 14 sites is that the new airport rankings should be out before that date. The FAA changed the standards last week and all sites rated a 6 will be closed. It's a longshot but if any of the sites that are currently a 6 are upgraded to a 7 they will probably not close.
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Post by snowwx on Feb 2, 2013 9:01:53 GMT -5
i see the FAA is now going to violate the MOU among all end users of no degrading of services by closing more offices...their word is worthless...additionally, one of the offices did a study showing that the only money saved would be the equivalent of only 1-2 air traffic controllers salaries per year...per office...a drop in the bucket in the overall scheme of things...
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Post by TCU 2U2 on Feb 2, 2013 11:38:32 GMT -5
Not really violated the agreement. The SOP's have always had A and B sites with CWO's and C sites with ATC.
The issue (or violation), the way I see it is, how a site becomes a C has changed. The "tie breaker" has been elimated.
How the FAA was able to get this elimated without any input from industry could be an issue to persue ...
As if was done quick and quiet ...
FOIA (freedom of information act) is one way to go. Federal Register also ...
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Post by artension on Feb 2, 2013 17:12:04 GMT -5
I agree with TCU 2U2. I don't really know how to go about further researching this, but would welcome input/involvement from others affected. The double-edged sword about this is the fact that not only do they change the scoring method, they also eliminate the "grace period" of 2 years. I understand elimination of the "tie-breaker", pretty much does away with the need for the "2 successive years rule," but would've been nice to at least have until Oct.1 of THIS year.
Also, I think the 90 day notice we did get also had something to do with the ATC time requirement before assuming obs services, for training of personnel.
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Post by fu on Feb 2, 2013 18:13:12 GMT -5
Thats true, if they can arbitrarily lower the score to remain open to a 7 this year what is stopping them from deciding to lower it to a 9 or 10 next year.
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Post by fu on Feb 2, 2013 18:30:22 GMT -5
Artension I'm sure you are probably aware of some of the steps that can be taken contacting the airport manager, airlines that use your airport, congress people and the local media and make them aware of what is happening. I have heard of a site that was slated to close a few years ago that got a reprieve due to the fact that they were able to show that the flight count had dropped big time in the aftermath of Katrina. I heard of another that remained open when they were able to show that runway repairs affected the flight count. Don't know if any of that is relevant to your situation but it's worth a shot.
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Post by artension on Feb 2, 2013 18:47:08 GMT -5
Good Point, fu. Will need to get cracking on those letters!  |
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