|
|
Post by TCU 2U2 on Feb 6, 2013 8:09:48 GMT -5
Here is an idea for the higher ups in DC - lets do away with the admin shift(s) this go-around and save well over 2 million for what is left of the new contract (54 months).
Heck, up until now the program has survived without admin shifts. Why introduce now with such budget woes.
Givens are:
- Approx 135 sites in program (95 Full time & 40 Part time)
- Average $25 per hour to cover either 8 or 16 hours per month
Here is a quick breakdown:
95 full time sites X 16 hours per month X $25 per hour = $38,000 per month X 54 months remaining on new contract (assuming start up is April 1, 2013) = $2,052,000
40 part time sites X 8 hours per month X $25 per hour = $8,000 per month X 54 months remaining on new contract (assuming start up is April 1, 2013) = $432,000
Projected Total Savings = $2,484,000
|
|
|
|
Post by skywatcher on Feb 6, 2013 8:28:06 GMT -5
I agree, but us who work can see there is no common sense used by the budget cutters.
|
|
|
|
Post by fu on Feb 6, 2013 11:14:29 GMT -5
If they redo the bid like everyone expects them to do the admin hours will probably be gone.
|
|
|
|
Post by weatherorknot on Feb 7, 2013 11:57:59 GMT -5
On paper this is a good idea. In reality you compromise safety. I'm assuming most of the 135 sites are continuous weather watch sites. You can't continuously weather watch if you're doing paper work. Inevitably you run into either not paying 100% attention to the weather which compromises safety or you're not paying attention to paper work which could result in mistakes. If the lead at your site handles payroll, you could get a mistake there. If the lead handles scheduling, you could get mistakes there. Items that would take a few hours to get done could be drawn out over days depending on weather. 1 admin shift a pay period is realistic. If the governemnt expects members of a staff to multi task, what is stopping them from giving the jobs to ATC. Before you point out all the errors they make, ask your pilot friends what numbers are important to them. I'm guessing correct VIS, CIG, pressure, winds, and precipitation are key. Incorrect remarks are probably a non issue for them.
What would be an issue is the conflict of interest. I can see ATC "adjusting" weather conditions to have plans land or take off in a timely cost efficient manner jeopardizing safety.
|
|
|
|
Post by hlsto2 on Feb 7, 2013 12:35:25 GMT -5
but horrendous errors are also made in the body of the metar. missing sensor data...incorrect snow intensities...no TS but ltg ohd or ltg alqds in remarks. awos sites in manual mode with incorrect or missing present weather...altimeters entered .10" off...just to name a few. there is a contract tower up the street from me that has awos. awos will enter DZ with 3 miles...1/4SM in FG...-RA begins and you see 1/4SM with only -RA in present weather. the obstroller just follows along with what awos spits out. they are not trained and are incompetent at best. but...this is just another way the FAA shows their disdain for the metar program. but the NWS...where the program SHOULD have stayed...did not make any attempt to keep it. so the QC program is down the toilet as the towers make the same mistakes...year after year after year. In the "old days" NCDC would QC and send stations a B-14. Now...stations send in their own B-14s. Proly only CWO's though. As the towers do not have a clue.
|
|
|
|
Post by fu on Feb 7, 2013 12:38:35 GMT -5
On paper this is a good idea. In reality you compromise safety. I'm assuming most of the 135 sites are continuous weather watch sites. You can't continuously weather watch if you're doing paper work. Inevitably you run into either not paying 100% attention to the weather which compromises safety or you're not paying attention to paper work which could result in mistakes. If the lead at your site handles payroll, you could get a mistake there. If the lead handles scheduling, you could get mistakes there. Items that would take a few hours to get done could be drawn out over days depending on weather. 1 admin shift a pay period is realistic. If the governemnt expects members of a staff to multi task, what is stopping them from giving the jobs to ATC. Before you point out all the errors they make, ask your pilot friends what numbers are important to them. I'm guessing correct VIS, CIG, pressure, winds, and precipitation are key. Incorrect remarks are probably a non issue for them. What would be an issue is the conflict of interest. I can see ATC "adjusting" weather conditions to have plans land or take off in a timely cost efficient manner jeopardizing safety. Really? I wonder when the last time a SWO screwed an ob up because they were making up a schedule. You do the paperwork when the weather is good. |
|
|
|
Post by hlsto2 on Feb 7, 2013 13:31:35 GMT -5
not only that but I'm sure most SWO's farm out some of the admin stuff to the other observers. I have specific mostly end of month admin duties. If the weather is bad...I do them the next fair weather day. we never let our operational duties slide in order to do paperwork. we've been doing this for almost 10 years with no conflicts. we got a chuckle when we found out the FAA was going to require 16 hours a month admin hours for the SWO to accomplish paperwork.
|
|
|
|
Post by tornado on Feb 7, 2013 14:33:11 GMT -5
Perhaps the FAA added the new admin hours requirement, so that when they cut it, they can claim a true budgetary item was cut.
|
|
|
|
Post by zulu on Feb 8, 2013 12:28:22 GMT -5
SWO will not do observing duties during admin hrs....another observer will cover the 4 hrs each week! And I agree....I think the admin hrs are a complete waste of money considering the issue of budget cuts!! Does not make any sense at all!!
|
|
|
|
Post by kcfan on Feb 8, 2013 13:21:39 GMT -5
In my opinion "admin time" is a positive for the Senior Observer and protects them a bit. Sure, it's not going to be easy to find 16 hrs of admin work per month. But it's also going to prevent contractors from requiring you to work at home for free. Now you can be paid for supply runs, meetings, inspections, QA work, payroll, mailing items, etc. etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by stardustwx on Feb 8, 2013 17:35:02 GMT -5
Admin hours are the BIGGEST waste of time and money for the FAA. They are not necessary. You do the paperwork when the weather breaks and if you keep up with it during the month, there is no need for set aside hours. I was an SWO in a pretty weather nasty location and managed to get all my paperwork, etc done without delegating it any other observer.
|
|
|
|
Post by fu on Feb 8, 2013 17:41:27 GMT -5
I'm a SWO and have never been required to work from home for free. As far as being paid for some of the things you mentioned like inspections, QA work etc isn't that why the pay for the SWO is higher than it is for a CWO
|
|
|
|
Post by toofarnorth on Feb 8, 2013 17:47:58 GMT -5
I agree with everyone's points... but as SWO for 15 years, I'm am really tired of providing email, any computer work and internet for my contractor, from my home, for free. I have a life (sometimes, somewhere...) and would like to get it back. The new contracts require a computer and internet connection at the wx stations - three cheers for admin days  - that is about the time I'm now spending at home working. But if budget cuts have to be made, give me the chance to work at work, and I'd be happy to give up admin days to keep my job. |
|
|
|
Post by kcfan on Feb 8, 2013 18:07:13 GMT -5
Fu, I'm pleased to hear you have not had to work at home for free. But I will tell you there are companies that do currently require work from home with no pay. The contractor is lucky the employees don't file a formal complaint.
Stardust, I couldn't agree with you more. I'd work with or for you anytime with that attitude.
Pabtrich, it's a shame that you had to provide those things on your own. Your employer should be ashamed. At least you will not have to worry about it beginning 1 April.
|
|
|
|
Post by fu on Feb 8, 2013 18:27:08 GMT -5
^
I can believe that there are contractors requiring people to work for free, just find it hard to believe that anyone would actually do it. Slavery ended a long time ago.
|
|
- that is about the time I'm now spending at home working. But if budget cuts have to be made, give me the chance to work at work, and I'd be happy to give up admin days to keep my job.