A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/733446
D0, then ask ATC to enter the movement area and hold to meet their TMAT, even though they did not need to vacate the gate for an incoming aircraft. An unintended consequence of the introduction of efficiency automation is that controllers might not develop tools and flexibility to handle the off - nominal days. For example, if a tower regularly implements a Departure Metering Program to limit the traffic volume to a ten - plane queue, and the resulting lower movement area volume becomes what controllers are used to, they might not have the tools to handle the off n ominal, 30 - plane queue days. There may not be a way to prevent this, but users will need to be made aware of ATC's reduced ability to adapt to extreme conditions. An interesting point was made about customer perception. Even though the airlines might real ize a certain amount of savings through surface metering, it may cause a public relations issue – passengers are happy if they are on a plane that is away from the gate slowly moving forward in a long queue toward takeoff, because they have a much higher c onfidence level that they will be departing some time in the near future. Conversely, a passenger sitting in the terminal, being told that the boarding of the plane will be delayed for twenty minutes, but not being told why because the typical passenger w o uld not be well - versed in the benefits of surface metering, that will be an anxious passenger. This anxiety could be eased by customer alerts ( text, social media) that inform them of the later schedule, but the customer perception that they have been delay ed may be hard to mitigate (even though their plane became airborne at the same time absorbing gate wait time as it would have sitting in a long queue). FLIGHT DATA INPUT OUTPUT (FDIO): Ron Shusterman (A90) is the FDIO Article 48 Representative. Also incl uded in Mr. Shusterman's duties are Article 48 representation for the Electronic Flight Strip Transfer System (EFSTS). Mr. Shusterman forwarded the information below for the membership. The following facilities will be receiving their Electronic Flight St rip Transfer System Replacement Keypad (ERK) kits next month. First round will be shipped October 4th and second round October 17th. A familiarization power point will be sent to the facility managers as an MBI. Execute SSM - Phase 1 10/4/2016 10/17/2016 D ayton 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Detroit 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Fort Smith, Ark. 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Gulfport, MS 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Kalamazoo, MI 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Wilkes - Barre (Scranton), PA 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Chicago 10/4/2016 10/4/2016 Jacksonville 10/4/2016 10/4/2016