Sisters and brothers,
Since I have a few moments, I wanted to provide you with an update on some of the issues that I have been working on over the course of the last month. But first, I need to honor our men and women who have served and who are currently serving our great country in our armed forces; thank you all for your dedication and service. As for my Marines, happy 235th birthday “Jarheads”.
Since my last update, I have traveled to New Orleans to kick off our brand new Basic Rep training with two of NATCA’s most dedicated activists; Chris Boughn and Mike Hull. Chris and Mike just finished the second Basic Rep class in Orlando this month. We will be getting together early next year to look at some of the input that we have received on the new class and see how best we can incorporate some of your suggestions into the curriculum. Next year, we will also be working on developing a brand new Advanced Rep class. While in New Orleans, I also attended our NEB meeting.
During the next week, I was quite busy trying to put the finishing touches on the Reno to NCT MOU. I am very proud of our team and the signed RNO to NCT MOU. I would like to thank Peter Gimbrere, Mitch Herrick, Rich Ferris, Dan McGuane, Steve McCoy, Phil Barbarello, Trish Gilbert, and Paul Rinaldi for all of their help and support to finalize the MOU.
The following week, I flew to Washington, D.C. for a placement workgroup meeting before having to fly right back to the West coast to attend the opening ceremonies for the new Reno Tower.
This week, I had the pleasure of spending some time with the Las Vegas Hub NATCA reps and managers. Las Vegas Hub manager Steve Lloyd was a gracious host and I thought that we had a very productive meeting with both NATCA and management in the same room discussing issues of mutual importance.
Here are just some of the issues that I have been working on during the past month:
Flight Deck Training- I continue to work with the FAA on the revised draft of the Flight Deck Training order. The FAA would like to roll out the new order sometime on or about March 2011.
FAA Training- NATCA is currently involved in several training initiatives all aimed at improving the quality of ATC training. Here are a few of those initiatives:
- Re-designing the ATC basics course at the FAA Academy (Dave Bricker-ZAB and Steve McCoy-NCT)
- Re-designing Stage II-IV for Enroute Training (Aaron Fishman-ZOA, Kris Koke-ZFW, Leo Kremer-ZNY, and Bryan Neal-ZKC)
- Re-designing the Academy TRACON course (Liz Larsen-GEG and Lori Rebhan-MIA)
- We will soon put together a workgroup to help improve communications between ATO Training (AJL) and the field.
NATCA Placement Workgroup: NATCA and FAA workgroup members met in Washington, D.C on October 25-26. Here is the scope of the workgroup:
- The group is tasked with identifying problems, collecting and evaluating data to determine the causes and extent of problems, and forwarding solutions to the Collaborative Steering Committee (and other relevant stakeholders, as they deem appropriate) for consideration and adoption.
- The workgroup will also consider existing placement processes and transfer and vacancy processes/procedures affecting bargaining unit employees.
- The workgroup will look at methods for identifying vacancies, priorities for filling vacancies and methods for offering placement.
- The workgroup will look at current practices and consider improvements to processes for placement of ERRs, hardship transfers, academy students, other new hires and training failures.
The workgroup is scheduled to meet again on December 7-8, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT): I have been working with the FAA on trying to determine whether the AT-SAT tool can be used for placement. As such, NATCA has provided the FAA with some names of controllers who will be travelling to OKC to work with the FAA and CAMI on this project. Starting in 2011, there will be an opportunity for tower controllers to participate in research that involves taking the AT-SAT test battery and various outcome performance indicators. The exercises will require each participant volunteer to spend two days off site to complete the tests. We will use the information obtained from this research to better understand the relationship between AT-SAT scores and tasks specific to tower ATC performance. It will help us determine if AT-SAT scores can be used for placement as well as selection.
Operational Assessment- We continue to work with the FAA on evaluating the operational assessment test. This test is designed to help our busier terminal facilities find the most qualified candidates at ATC-10 and above facilities. The beta-test facilities for the Operational Assessment test will be A80, C90, and SCT.
Just Culture: Tomorrow I will be flying to SLC for a one-day meeting to discuss the implementation of the beta test of “Just Culture” at SFO and ZLA.
Finally, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who stepped up for the Air Safety Investigator position. We were delighted to get so many talented and dedicated NATCA members for this position. Our NWP Air Safety Lead Peter Trono did a terrific job helping me with this most difficult decision. After a very thorough process and some interviews, I have decided to select Patrick Keane (SCT) to be our newest Air Safety Investigator. Pat has extensive terminal expertise at both towers and a TRACON. Pat is also an avid pilot and aircraft owner. He has a private pilot license with an instrument rating and who just happens to be married to a CFII and FAA designated pilot examiner who has her own flight training business. Congratulations to Pat and a great deal of thanks to all who put their name in the hat to be considered for this position.
I will be working with Peter and Pat to develop an ASI under-study type program so that we can expose some of our controllers to air safety investigations.
