Marty 17th Update

Staffing/Schedule
We will be publishing Pay Period 11 by the end of March.  I am still negotiating the start date for our summer guides which will be either Pay Period 11 or 12.  Summer guides will see the 0630 shift always backfilled as well as a 4th person on a 1330NF or equivalent 10 hour shift for coverage.  I am also trying to negotiate a second 1530 or 1600 shift through the weekday swings.  We are already having issues on certain nights combining to 2 sectors before 10:30pm.  Please let me know if there is pressure from the sups to combine sectors before traffic warrants it.  

MLAT will begin this coming week.  I have been asked if additional staffing will be needed and I made a recommendation for holdover OT on the swings as aircraft go to the AR routes while we are combining sectors.    

Equipment
AA worked very hard on 2 map filters that would depict lakes/rivers and highways.  In order to use them we will need to remove 2 of the current buttons from our Map Filters.  The MIA Alt button will be removed since we have altitudes displayed on the MIA map.  Other buttons we are considering removing are the Greener Skies Button or the Mid Map button.  There will be a survey in the area.  Please take some time to fill it out so we can consider all feedback before making changes.  The survey will be near the training forms on the desk opposite the FLM computer.  They will be available through the end of the month.

Brooke
440-227-5591
Brooked85@hotmail.com

Delay in Published Schedule

As many of you may know this week has been busy in regards to the schedule.  After a lot of discussion, I was giving permission to waterfall a line for our next trainee to fill upon becoming certified.  Management was under the assumption that the line would be bid in 1 round and we would be able to publish the schedule on time but that is not the case.  We are now water falling multiple lines.  Because of the length of time it takes to waterfall several lines, Jason and I agreed to publish Pay Period 9 utilizing OT to cover the holes that would otherwise be covered by having another CPC.

At the regional level, our facility is currently being scrutinized for overtime usage and when it was heard the plan for us to use 5 shifts of overtime to mitigate a problem we were already trying to address we were told we must come up with another solution.  Either move all trainees to fill the holes in the schedule (which we tried), publish below guides, or delay the publishing of the schedule.  I put safety above all else when it comes to our job and decided we would delay publishing to maintain a safe working environment.  Troy has been working closely with me and we have agreed to formally grant an extension to management to delay the publishing of the schedule.

So I apologize that the schedule is not being published on time.  I view it as a failure on my part, to the area, in not upholding the contract.  I’m trying my best to move the bid along as quickly as possible.  As of right now the soonest we are able to publish is Tuesday and that will only happen if we are done bidding.  If we are not done by Wednesday evening, Jason Poole and myself will have a meeting to decide how much longer to delay and what options we have moving forward from there.  While safety is my priority, I  need to make sure that everyone in the area is able to have enough notice of their schedule to make arrangements for their home life if needed.  Again I want to thank everyone for their quick responses to the bids.

Brooke
Brooked85@hotmail.com
440-227-5591

New Line Bid

Dan won the quick line bid this week.  We will now bid Dan's line.  It is almost identical to the previous bid.  This bid will close no later than Wednesday, March 7 at 1200 local time.  This bid is open to all CPCs plus KZ.

Su   0700                                                                                                                                                     Mo  0600                                                                                                                                                   Tu    RDO                                                                                                                                                 We  RDO                                                                                                                                                 Th   1530                                                                                                                                                     Fr    1330NF                                                                                                                                             Sa    0800

There will be a bid sheet in the area but feel free to email or text me with your bid.

Brooke                                                                                                                                                 brooked85@hotmail.com                                                                                                                      440-227-5591 

February 28th Update

SOLICITATION TO THE TRAINING DEPARTMENT
Stage 4 class date has new dates of March 26-May 18 for Mike Ollerman and Derek Salmond.  
The article 5 solicitation from May to July is no longer needed.  The new dates are from April 16-May 18.  Please let your supervisor or myself know by Tuesday March 7 no later than 11:59pm.  This detail is one week shorter than past article 5 details for training.  I was told there has been a slight change in the  curriculum resulting in the shorter detail.

EQUIPMENT
All the areas will be getting 2 keyboard risers.  Delivery timeframe is unknown but they have been ordered.  These will be available to anybody who wishes to use them while standing at the sector.  They will not be a permanent fixture at the sectors and we will have a designated storage area within the area.  Questions have been asked in regards to d sides being able to see the scope and if the use of the VSCS will be reachable.  We have been assured that they will not impact the operations.

LINE BID
I want to thank everybody for the quick responses to the line bid.  I was told Monday afternoon to bid the line out as quickly as possible and to close the bid by Friday.  Please respond as quickly as possible if you are or are not interested and have not already notified me.  The bid will officially close on Friday.

Su     0700
Mo    0600
Tu     RDO
We    RDO
Th     1500
Fr      1330NF
Sa     0800

Brooke
Brooked85@hotmail.com
440-227-5591

February 19th Update

Staffing
Jared Simpach is officially released from the area leaving our staffing at 32 CPCs.  The next trainee to certify will bring balance back to our schedule and there should be a decrease in assigned shift changes.  I’m anticipating having 34 CPCs in time for summer traffic.  If you have any questions in regards to your published schedule please see myself, Damien or management.

Solicitation of Interest
ARTICLE 5 detail to the training department for Stage 4 class.
Dates May 29-July 6.  Please notify myself or management no later than Saturday, April 10th.
If you have leave and are interested we may be able to utilize you as there is a need for 2 people.

Refresher training will occur the 1st week of November.  2 volunteers are needed for the week of Nov 5-9. I am soliciting early so scheduling can happen for late summer and early fall meetings.  Please let me know if you are interested in being a CADRE.  There is usually a TOA to the volunteers.

Airspace and Procedures
Boeing
Last month Boeing reached out to NATCA to investigate an event in which a Boeing test flight flew into Canadian airspace.  After reviewing the event and talking with many controllers it seems we have a training issue.  Boeing aircraft are not allowed to enter Canadian airspace.  They are on special waivers to certify aircraft prior to delivery and are restricted to US airspace only.  Think of them as a teenager with a restricted license. Boeing has asked that in the future we turn aircraft away from Canadian airspace with ample time for the maneuver to clear keep the aircraft clear of Canada so the pilots do not have to increase their workload.  Asking if the aircraft is able to turn at a fix (I.e. right turn TOU towards Canada) is also acceptable as long as the pilot knows the exact spot in which they have to turn.

Molson South
We are currently under a test period for the altitude cap at FL320 in Molson ATCAA.  Concerns have been made about the higher altitude cap and it’s impact on summer traffic with higher volume and slower climb rates.  I am going to ask that any aircraft that is rerouted/vectored around the airspace or that is unable to descend when they request, be tracked.  To make this as easy as possible I will place a basket or large envelope in the area and clearly label it.  Please place a dated flight plan strip into the basket/envelope.  If you find you were too busy to have saved your strips or forgot which aircraft you had to turn, just leave a note with the date and time range in which the airspace added to your workload.

 
Brooke Dawson
Brooked85@hotmail.com
440.227.5591

Soliciation of Interest

Solicitation of Interest

ARTICLE 5 detail to the training department for a CPC-IT from ZOA.

Dates March 19-30.  Please notify myself for management no later than Wednesday, February 6th.

ARTICLE 5 detail to the training department for Stage 4 class.

Dates May 29-July 6.  Please notify myself or management no later than Saturday, April 10th.

I will post a notice in the area after we fill the Article 5 for March.  Notify management of interest when the notice is posted in the area to minimize confusion between the article 5 details.

Refresher training will occur the 1st week of November.  2 volunteers are needed for the week of Nov 5-9. I am soliciting early so scheduling can happen for late summer and early fall meetings.  Please let me know if you are interested in being a CADRE.  There is usually a TOA to the volunteers.

Note to those on furlough during shutdown:

For those who were in furlough status during the shutdown, you may have been charged leave on your most recent LES.  It should be converted into EA on the next LES.  Please pay close attention to your statements.

Brooke Dawson
Brooked85@hotmail.com
440.227.5591

January Area Update

STAFFING

TS has accepted a FLM position.  He will be leaving the area in February.  As a result we will waterfall line 42.  KZ will be included in the bid.  The bid will close on Saturday, January 27.  The bid winner will be moved to the line on pay period 8 starting March 18.

JR has volunteered to work the midnight shifts until the line is bid.

LINE 42

SUN                       MON                     TUE                        WED                      THU                       FRI                          SAT

0600                       2300                        X                             X                          1600                     1330NF                 0800

SCHEDULE

The Sunday night guide is increasing from 5 to 6 after 9:30 pm.  Shift adjustments will be made until we are able to add another line to cover Sunday nights.

As a reminder, requests for shifts changes and RDO changes can not be made more than 27 days from the 1st day of the pay period in which the changes are being requested.  Requests made prior to the 27 day timeframe will be deleted.  In the case of a forced adjustment, the automatic request to return to your bid shift is not subject to removal.  Requests for leave or shift swaps can still be made when the schedule is published.  Below are the days in which shifts changes can be requested through PP10.

PP06 – JAN22

PP07 – FEB05

PP08 – FEB19

PP09 – MAR05

PP10 – MAR10

Brooke Dawson         brooked85@hotmail.com         440.227.5591

Metering Restriction Test for sector 1/31

Our metering restrictions test period ends today, January 5th.  The question that has risen is “Now What?”

A Collaborative Work Group met around the holiday’s to propose a change that will be coming soon (by the end of January).  In the mean time I have agreed with the C area to continue the test period restrictions.  I think this is easiest on the pilots and minimizes controllers on the confusion of what the expected clearance is since it will change in the very near future.

As this is not ideal, I want to remind everyone that we have the right to ask for the old procedures for an individual metering session, a specific sector, or even an entire shift if needed.  

Natca is also soliciting volunteers to be Cadres for IST Round 11 in March.  Cadre training dates are Tuesday, February 27-Wednesday, February 28.  IST training will occur March 4-14.  Please advise me no later that Sunday, January 7th if you are interested. 

Brooke Dawson                                                                          440.227.5591
brooked85@hotmail.com

THANK YOU

Dear NATCA Sisters and Brothers,

I will be on leave from December 19th through January 5th. Brooke Dawson will become the Area Representative beginning on the 19th. 

I would like to thank everyone for allowing me to represent our outstanding Area for the last two years. The time has been rewarding and fulfilling. We have seen many changes during my tenure. The 3-mile area for separation around KNUW is the most exciting change, to me. Management has been held accountable for their mistakes during my term. The ZSE S46 LOA is finally near completion, the LOA is being negotiated through a Collaborative Work Group and the process is working very well. We have bid three schedules, not perfect but fair schedules. I hope everyone thinks our Area is in a better place today than it was two years ago. And lastly, I hope my communication was acceptable for everyone. 

It’s been an honor being your A Area NATCA Representative!

Sincerely,

Paul Skorniakoff

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

Area Radar Map Change Prodcedure

Sisters and Brothers,

I have been negotiating a  process to change our area Radar Maps during a flow change at KSEA. We have come to an agreement on how to accomplish this. After being notified, by S46 or TMU, that the last KSEA arrival is on short final we will execute an ERAM TEXT file from the Supervisor ERAM workstation. The TEXT file will change the flip/flop airspace. The reason for the change is to make our airspace accurate during a flow change. For the CIC's, there is a cheat sheet on the Supervisor's desk on how to execute the TEXT file. 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

Another Short Notice Article 5 to Training Solicitation

Sisters and Brothers,

I was informed today that we have an Article 5 to Training available beginning January 8, 2018. The assignment will last 5 weeks. The detail is for a Stage 3 class.

Please let me or an FLM know ASAP if you are interested or would like more information about the detail.

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

253-332-2066

SCHEDULE UPDATE

Sisters and Brothers,

1.       Schedule:

A.      Guidelines

a.       Beginning immediately our Monday through Friday swing shifts guidelines have changed. We now have seasonal guidelines for the Monday through Friday swing shifts. January-May and September-December the guideline is now 9, June-August the guideline is 10. 

b.      Saturday and Sunday have not changed. Monday through Friday day shifts have not changed.

B.      Developmentals and CPCiTs;

a.       R-side trainees will be scheduled proficiency days. The proficiency day will not always be the same day each week. The scheduler will assign proficiency days strategically, for coverage and to optimize training opportunities.

C.      Schedule Bid:

a.        We are bidding a schedule with 33 lines; 3 10hr lines (CWS/Maxi-Flex), 1 Fully Charged (fatigue mitigation) mid line per crew is available/guaranteed to choose by seniority, 1 third swing line on Crew 1.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

Short Notice Article 5 to Training Solicitation

Sisters and Brothers,

I was informed yesterday that we have an Article 5 to Training available beginning November 6th and ending on December 21st. The detail is for a Stage 3 class.

Please let me or an FLM know ASAP if you are interested or would like more information about the detail.

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

253-332-2066 

LINE BID

Brothers and Sisters,

1.       Schedule:

a. DS won the Crew 3 Mid line bid.

b. DS’s Crew 3 Line is up for bid now.

                                Crew 3 Line:

SUN       MON       TUES      WED      THUR     FRI     SAT

0630     RDO        RDO         16        1330NF    08      07

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

LINE BID and CREDIT HOUR REMINDER

Sisters and Brothers,

1.       Schedule:

a.       EC won the Crew 3 CWS line bid.

b.      EC’s Crew 3 Mid Line is up for bid now.

                                Crew 3 Mid Line:

SUN       MON       TUES      WED      THUR     FRI     SAT

00NF      RDO       RDO     15       1330NF    08     06

c.       Credit Hours: Credit Hours must be approved by management or a CIC. When earning credit hours at the beginning of your shift, flex time is not intended to increase the length of your shift. For example if you have a 1600 shift and Credit Hours are approved and you flex in at 1430, then the end of your shift is 2330.

d.      Reminder, when overtime is assigned you will automatically have a request for your RDO published on the schedule. If you do not want the request, cancel it as soon as you can.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

LINE BIDS

Sisters and Brothers,

1.       Schedule:

a.       PJ won the previous Crew 4 line bid.

b.      We are bidding two more lines, anticipating JG's and JR’s certification. The lines are a Crew 5 line and a Crew 3 CWS(Maxi Flex 40 with 10 hour shifts) line.

Crew 5 line:

SUN       MON       TUES      WED      THUR      FRI       SAT

 08          07           06        RDO       RDO       16          14

Crew 3 CWS line:

SUN       MON       TUES      WED      THUR         FRI       SAT

RDO     13(10hr)   13(10hr)  13(10hr)  13(10hr)   RDO     RDO

c.       Reminder, when overtime is assigned you will automatically have a request for your RDO published on the schedule. If you do not want the request cancel it as soon as you can.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

ANOTHER CREW 4 LINE BID plus an AREA UPDATE

Sisters and Brothers,

1.       Schedule:

a.       RS won the Crew 4 line bid and her line is up for bid.

b.      Crew 4 line is available to bid:

       SUN       MON       TUES      WED      THUR      FRI       SAT

          07         06         RDO        RDO       15       1330NF    08

c.       The next line for bid after we add another CPC will be on Crew 5, MC’s old line.

d.      Reminder, when overtime is assigned you will automatically have a request for your RDO published on the schedule. If you do not want the request cancel it as soon as you can.

2.       Airspace and Procedures:

a.       S46: Sleepy time procedures will eventually be gone. We are going to have a trial of 3 miles increasing to 5 miles separation soon after they start using the ATOME RNAV SID.

3.       Training:

a.       Refresher Training: Refresher training is scheduled from October 30th to November 3rd.  Anyone interested in volunteering please let me know by July 31st. The goal is to allow plenty of time for the volunteers to prepare the course.

b.      IST Training: IST Cadre training is scheduled on September 6th and 7th. IST Training is scheduled from December 3rd through December 16th. If you’re interested in volunteering please let me know by July 20th.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

CREW 4 LINE BID and AREA UPDATE

Sisters and Brothers,

1.       Schedule:

a.       MM won the Crew 1 line bid and his line is up for bid.

b.      Crew 4 line is available to bid:

         SUN       MON       TUES      WED      THUR      FRI       SAT

          07         06         RDO        RDO       16       1330NF    08

c.       The next line for bid will be on Crew 5, MC’s old line.

d.      Reminder: when overtime is assigned, you will automatically have a request for your RDO published on the schedule. If you do not want the request, cancel it as soon as you can.

2.       Airspace and Procedures:

a.       Sector 04: Our area assuming Sector 04 is on hold!!! I asked the B Area to add Sector 35 and then gather data to determine if they still need our area assume Sector 04. This idea was originally presented to me as a need but is now being reconsidered. I will update you as things progress.

b.      The Sector 04 Collaborative Work Group is also on hold.

3.       Training:

a.       Volunteers are needed to be area refresher training cadre and IST training cadre.

b.      Refresher Training: Refresher training is scheduled from October 30th to November 3rd.  Anyone interested in volunteering, please let me know by July 31st. The goal is to allow plenty of time for the volunteers to prepare the course.

c.       IST Training: IST cadre training is scheduled on September 6th and 7th. IST training is scheduled from December 3rd through December 16th. If you’re interested in volunteering, please let me know by July 20th.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakof

AREA UPDATE

Sisters and Brothers,

1.       Schedule:

a.       QX is bidding us farewell and his line is up for bid. We wish him all the best!!!

b.      Crew 1 mid line is available to bid:

SUN    MON    TUES    WED    THUR    FRI    SAT

RDO     16     1330NF   08        06       23    RDO

c.       Reminder, when overtime is assigned you will automatically have a request for your RDO published on the schedule. If you do not want the request cancel it as soon as you can.

2.       Airspace and Procedures:

a.       S46 LOA: The ATOME 1 RNAV SID will be in effect on June 22nd. The new SID is designed for noise abatement and will only be used after 2200L in a north flow. Sleepy time procedures will be removed from the LOA. The SID has restrictions published and aircraft will check on with a climb via clearance. When aircraft check on frequency with a climb via clearance they are not required to say their assigned altitude, as long as they are climbing to the top altitude of the SID. Also, be aware if you assign a climb and maintain clearance you are removing all of the published crossing restrictions.

b.      Route Channelization: A and B Area procedure changes. We are adding additional transfer of control between our area and the B Area high altitude sectors. Also, aircraft on the OLM STAR and the HAWKZ STAR may be on parallel/adjacent courses without coordination.

c.       Volunteer: Last call for volunteers to be on the Sector 04 Collaborative Work Group; let me know if you’re interested by June 8th.

3.       Training:

a.       RD and SD are now on the floor. They are training on Sectors 02 and 32.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please come find me, email at skorniakoff@comcast.net, or call/text me at 253-332-2066

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

SECTOR 04

Sisters and Brothers,

It's official: Sector 04 is moving to our area! After listening to the B Area Collaborative Work Group's research and reasoning, it became apparent that our area is the best option to help the facility balance the amount of sectors per area. The B Area CWG researched moving sector 34 to the C Area and moving all or parts of Sector 06 to the D Area. The C and D Area's mid shift sector ranges were the deal breaker. Neither area could effectively add airspace and maintain a workable range on the mid shift.

We are forming a Collaborative Work Group to ensure that the transition of Sector 04 goes smoothly. The work group will be responsible for everything involved in moving the sector to our area. I'm looking for at least 3 people to be in this group. The goal is to get the CWG started as soon as possible because we hope to assume the airspace next spring. 

If you are interested in participating in this Collaborative Work Group, please let me know no later than June 8th. Thanks in advance for volunteering. Thanks also to everyone who gave feedback about Sector 04 from the last area update. I hope you will continue to do this.

In Solidarity,

Paul Skorniakoff

253-332-2066