Opening, closing and combining positions
As we head into the busier time of the year, I want to share a few thoughts about how we open, close and combine positions in the area.
Most of our opening and closing happens naturally, depending on our traffic. One of the best things about the A area is that we take care of each other — if someone’s just gotten off position and walks past a busy Sector 3, we plug in and help if that person needs help. I love that about our area and want that culture to continue.
I am not a fan of staffing chairs to staff chairs.
As we continue to operate in times of 6-day workweeks and being short almost all the time, I feel concerned that our line of opening, closing and combining has drifted. I do not want us to combine sectors or not utilize a D-side because we’re short on a particular shift.
If you’re debating whether to ask for a split or a D-side and you’re on the fence about doing so, I suggest that you err on the side of asking for the extra body.
I am concerned that we are getting taken advantage of the fact that we inherently want to make things work when our staffing is tight, and I want to make sure that we capture an accurate snapshot of what bodies we need to safely and expeditiously work the airspace that we work.
I have not observed this or heard of this, but if you ever run into an instance of asking for a D-side or split and are denied, please let me know.
Your macros could be affected
I have heard a lot of varying dates for the release of the next major ERAM update, from as early as June to later in the year. The new update will include the capability of automated handoffs with Vancouver Centre. This will be stupendous.
Matt Coughlin, my area airspace rep and your area airspace rep, asked me to advise you that your macros may need to be updated in conjunction with this change.
Some of our YVR identifiers for CPDLC will be changing as part of the ERAM build (making it so that they match the two-letter sector names that are in the LOA). Resultantly, you’ll want to double-check all of your YVR-related macros when the new build comes online.
Brian Spencer retiring from ZSE
I received this message from Amanda Crumbley, the C area rep, who asked that I pass it along to you all:
Brian Spencer is retiring June 30! It would be a fun surprise for him if we could get as many people as we could to wear a shirt that says "SIERRA ECHO" on it during his last couple weeks of work. If you would like to participate, please fill out this form. It will say SIERRA ECHO on the front and will cost $10/shirt. Please pay CY via PayPal crumbley37@gmail.com or leave $10 in the envelope in my headset box in the C area. The order will close 5/1 and I will deliver shirts as soon as they are in.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks!
-Amanda
New trainees
We are getting two additional academy graduates in the A area. Their names are Zoe Martin and Noelle Walas. Zoe arrived last week, and Noelle will be arriving later this week. Please go and introduce yourselves to them.
In solidarity,
Dan Rasmussen
801-860-3821