Here's One I Bet You Didn't Know

Check this out...the FAA is planning to award a contract in September of this year to contract out the selection and training of initial air traffic control hires.  Dubbed ATCOTS, or "Air Traffic Control Optimum Training Solution," this contract will likely spell the end of the FAA's academy in Oklahoma City and will change training in the field, as well.  From an FAA solicitation comes this:

"In order to continue the productive dialogue with potential vendors on the Air Traffic Control Optimum Training Solution (ATCOTS) and to ensure that all potential vendors understand the human talent and capital resources currently utilized at the FAA's Academy, the FAA is inviting all interested vendors to a Visit Opportunity at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK on Saturday, March 3, 2007."

From where I sit it looks like another piece of the National Airspace System will be sold to the lowest bidder.  I fully expect that much like the debacle that Flight Service has become this effort will implode in short order, taking with it the next generation of air traffic control applicants.  Look for air traffic training to swirl around the drain sometime in the next five years.

I assume NATCA is all over this like a cheap suit and hopefully they are working with PAACE (the Professional Association of Aeronautical Center Employees) to present a united front to the agency.  PAACE has been working this issue feverishly for quite some time and has set up this web site to keep their members informed.  You can also Google ATCOTS and come up with pages and pages of information on this initiative, the next step in Marion's plan to sell off the National Airspace System, one little piece at a time. 

Comments

[Martinlady]

Last month I wrote on another site (www.faafollies.com):

“A huge part of the Agency’s problem is that it seems to think that because we ‘plug’ our headseats into a position, we’re a ‘plug & play’ workforce. We are not COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) parts that can be replaced permanently on a moment’s notice.” JTB wrote: Dubbed ATCOTS, or "Air Traffic Control Optimum Training Solution"

I’m betting the true meaning of ATCOTS is “Air Traffic: Commercial Off-The-Shelf” – it’s certainly how the Agency has been trying to treat the profession.

Everyone had best dust off those AMTRAK schedules…

[RevTC]

I have heard about this. I have also heard that the contract is in the bag. It'll be awarded to PetSmart - they're very experienced at handling hamsters.

[MO girl]

Does it strike anyone funny that in ATC-speak ATCOTS means ATC is out of service?

[I <3 the FAA]

Since the Academy is already total bullshit as far as enroute trainees are concerned, the contractor will have to work really hard to make it less adequate than it already is.

Maybe they'll teach them to give two airplanes in conflict an 800 number in upstate New York to call for separation.

[Pats working this issue also, yeah right.]

OTCOTS=ATC Out Of Service

Thats funny dude, I don't care who you are!

This issue is low prioroty, why should we be concerned with this when we can't even get a ratified contract.

[JDT]

I'm at the Academy right now and they're starting to crack down on the quality of the students that pass. Apparently there's been some complaints from the facilities that students are being pushed through. The PV is now becoming much more stringent and there is talk of making RTF training pass/fail.

However, the quality issue has nothing to do with the academy itself. My experience so far at the Academy has been excellent and that they do a good job on preparing you. I just feel that the instructors were being urged by management to look the other way and meet that certain quota established by Marion Blakey's morons.

I would like to add that the instructors and staff at the Academy have been nothing but supportive and amazing. They want to do what they can to see you pass and be successful, but do recognize that not everyone is cut out for the job. Whatever the case, I would not want to see something like this happen to good people.

[Ace Rockola]

I don't know what all the fuss is about? After all, this is what you get with a Republican Administration and dictator.

But you know what? Most Americans don't care. We have sat idly by, watching jobs go overseas, the Chinese kicking our ass by flooding our market with cheap crap that people can't seem to get enough of. We're being mowed-over, and "The Man" at the top is pushin' the mower...

[MikeyP]

So THAT's why representatives from Nav Canada visited the ZKC ARTCC training department last week! Of course, the whole visit was supposed to be "hush hush" and, of course, NATCA was aware of the visit anyway.

Our brothers and sisters at CATCA have shared a lot of horror stories about Nav Canada management. It would seem their incompetence is a perfect for the the FAA!

[wesl]

What is funny is go to FAA.gov, search for ATCOTS, it ain't there. Yet Google has numerous pages. Not that they're trying to hide anything.

Also, in my quest for knowledge, the FAQ sheet shows 10 days for URET training at the academy. That didn't happen in the real world.

[JDT]

The more I think and read about it, the more this is looking Blakey's final "F*** YOU" to the ATC workforce.

Check out this little ditty from Raytheon:
http://jar.janes.com/public/adlink/ads/1190815.pdf

Makes me sick...

[Really Confused]

The administrator's response (sent by someone 'other' than the administrator) to PAACE stated

"It is, however, incumbent upon all of us as stewards of the taxpayers' dollars to make certain that we are continually looking for ways to improve our performance in terms of efficiency while not compromising effectiveness."

How about starting by finding the BILLIONS of dollars that are missing!

[cover]

As far as a private contractor taking over the selection process for new-hires, I seriously doubt they could screw it up any worse than the FAA already has.

For evidence of this you need not look any further than this blog (check out Applicant X's letter about a week and a half ago).

At my facility there is a fellow CTI who graduated 2 years before me, yet got hired 3 months after me. What gives???

If anyone has doubts about how little information is available for those in the hiring process, and how much of that "info" is complete crap, check out stuckmic.com and look at the questions being asked.

I can remember my own frustration at the lack of communication with HR. It's pretty hard to make life plans when you have no idea when you might go, and knowing I could have been assigned to any of about 20 different states.

I don't think this is the right way to go about it, but I can only hope that services are improved for those betting their futures on the FAA.

[Ace Rockola]

"It is, however, incumbent upon all of us as stewards of the taxpayers' dollars to make certain that we are continually looking for ways to improve our performance in terms of efficiency while not compromising effectiveness."

Hey Lady! You're supposed to be the Stewardess of the National Airspace System! That's your friggin' job! Let the others worry about the taxpayer's dollars. Geez, is anyone home upstairs !?

[Dumas]

Cover,

It was no different 15 years ago. I got 100% on the OPM exam, and still had to cajole for a year for a spot. I was sold a bill of goods about where I was going, and at placement was sent 6000 miles from my home. The only thing that's changed is the compensation. Good luck.

[Marcus Tomlin]

Hi Gordan...

[lowskillset]

Before I left 16 years ago for initial tower training in OKC, I was told that this follow-on training would not be pass/fail. On day one of the tower class, we were all told that the training would be pass/fail because recent classes had not taken the training seriously enough. I was initially surprised that a government agency could change the rules in the middle of the game like this. Since then, I've become older and wiser.

[RIF'd AFSS'r]

The first step to privatization...I can hear it now in Blakey's irritating voice, "look how great the contractor handled the training contract, we'll do a study on how they can handle ATC operations!" Privatization of Flight Service started out with "just a study" a study where the fix was in! Beware, the privatization beast is coming for you!

[nwprlc]

I'm at the Academy right now and they're starting to crack down on the quality of the students that pass. Apparently there's been some complaints from the facilities that students are being pushed through.

(My guess is that part of Blakey's plan is to not only change the way new hires get trained initially, but to possibly take CPCs/Sups completely out of the decision making process of certifications. IOW they get their initial training from Mc-Training-ATC, CPCs still administer OJTI, but Mc-Training, actually does the final certifications)

The PV is now becoming much more stringent and there is talk of making RTF training pass/fail.

(I went through RTF in 1988, it was pass/fail then)

[lxzjx]

Sorry to say the training program has already gone down the toilet, ever since train to succeed was introduced in the 90's. The academy for enroute actually was to only decent training I have ever recieved in the FAA. The contractors are the facilities are jokes. The only thing that has kept the system running is the OJTI's on the floor, but they can only do so much and are still not trained teachers, just controllers trying to help. This system is already gone to hell, and until the body count goes up it will continue to bury itself deeper under the ground.

[Guest]

I wonder why if it is going to be awarded in 3 months, there is no bid out for this contract? All they have is white papers, list of objectives and a site visit.. Rumor mill has it, its on back burner and may fizzle. Wonder if anyone else has heard same.

[ro441ck]

m175k