argh - muzak on wxbrief

On Sat, 29 Jul 2006 18:53:32 -0700, "BTIZ"
wrote in riUyg.16617$6w.9894@fed1read11::

Attempted contact with Cedar City UT AFSS failed today... twice..
dialed 1800wxbrief, got the ugly repeats of the "changes" to the security
NOTAMs, and then select option to talk to a briefer.. after 10 rings the
system disconnected...
same problem on reattempt... so much for checking (updating) FIRE TFRs..


Well, you're not going to be able to complain about long telephone
hold times now that LocMart is on the job. :-(

On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 02:02:32 GMT, Jose
wrote in ::

Wouldn't it be more productive to listen to the area weather synopsis
(or other topical information) while you're waiting?

No.

The area being read to me by a machine is probably not the one I'm
interested in, I'm going to get the same information in a moment (or
spend an equal amount of time saying "no thanks, the ancient recording
is sufficient, no need to give me the area forecast for {insert list of
areas}, and more than likely, if I'm on hold, I want to put the call on
speakerphone so I can be productive by doing what =I= want to do, rather
than what a machine is telling me to listen to.

So, if I read you correctly, you would prefer silence to music or
information?

So, if I read you correctly, you would prefer silence to music or
information?

Yes. An occasional beep to assure me that I'm still connected would be
nice, and an OPTIONAL "press 5 to listen to [whatever] while holding,
you won't lose your place" would be ok if stated ONCE ONLY at the
beginning of the hold.

Otherwise, I wish all holds were silent.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 02:33:14 GMT, Jose
wrote in ::

An occasional beep to assure me that I'm still connected would be
nice, and an OPTIONAL "press 5 to listen to [whatever] while holding, ...

That sound like a reasonable solution. I wonder what it would take to
implement it?

An occasional beep to assure me that I'm still connected would be
nice, and an OPTIONAL "press 5 to listen to [whatever] while holding, ...
That sound like a reasonable solution. I wonder what it would take to
implement it?

A decision maker who cared.

Perhaps I'm too cynical, but I've been on hold for more hours than I've
been flying. I suppose feedback on their web site would test whether or
not such input is really welcome. They did ask for feedback.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Let me guess: you're voting for DeStephano, Farrell and Lamont, right?

"Bob Noel" wrote in message
...
ohmygawd - is it just bridgeport FSS or has some idiot
decided to inflict horrible noise on pilots on hold at every
FSS?

The cynic in me says "they" are trying to move people
away from live briefers.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

In article t,
"Dice" wrote:

Let me guess: you're voting for DeStephano, Farrell and Lamont, right?

what the heck are you talking about?

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

"Larry Dighera" wrote in message ...
: On Sat, 29 Jul 2006 18:53:32 -0700, "BTIZ"
: wrote in riUyg.16617$6w.9894@fed1read11::
:
: Attempted contact with Cedar City UT AFSS failed today... twice..
: dialed 1800wxbrief, got the ugly repeats of the "changes" to the security
: NOTAMs, and then select option to talk to a briefer.. after 10 rings the
: system disconnected...
: same problem on reattempt... so much for checking (updating) FIRE TFRs..
:
:
: Well, you're not going to be able to complain about long telephone
: hold times now that LocMart is on the job. :-(
:


Don't know if that is true, but if you can get on here to complain, then you can also get he
http://www.afss.com/feedback/

On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 11:58:05 GMT, ".Blueskies."
wrote in
t::


"Larry Dighera" wrote in message ...
: On Sat, 29 Jul 2006 18:53:32 -0700, "BTIZ"
: wrote in riUyg.16617$6w.9894@fed1read11::
:
: Attempted contact with Cedar City UT AFSS failed today... twice..
: dialed 1800wxbrief, got the ugly repeats of the "changes" to the security
: NOTAMs, and then select option to talk to a briefer.. after 10 rings the
: system disconnected...
: same problem on reattempt... so much for checking (updating) FIRE TFRs..
:
:
: Well, you're not going to be able to complain about long telephone
: hold times now that LocMart is on the job. :-(
:

Don't know if that is true,

Given:

-------------------------------------------------------------------
AVwebFlash Volume 12, Number 26b -- June 29, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------

AOPA LISTS PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192587)
When Lockheed took over the system, the company set its
performance standards high. AOPA this week provided details
(http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...60623afss.html) of
what kind of service you should be getting -- and said if you're
not getting it, you should report that via the feedback form on
the new Web portal. (After all, you paid for it.) According to
AOPA, the AFSS should answer your phone call within 20 seconds and
radio calls within 5 seconds. You must receive service from your
radio call within 15 seconds. PIREPs must be processed within 30
seconds and within 15 seconds if they are urgent. Briefers must
have knowledge of the unique weather conditions in your area.
Briefers must meet those standards whether it is a busy, clear
summer day or a slow, dreary day in winter, AOPA says.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192587
and, BTIZ' complaint: "after 10 rings the system disconnected," it's
becoming clear how a large corporation meets its 20-second maximum
phone hold time contractual obligation; just disconnect the phone line
before 20 seconds have elapsed.

And our government is none the wiser:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...fices/ato/aca/
Office of Competitive Sourcing
The Office of Competitive Sourcing conducts competitive sourcing
acquisitions on those commercial activities identified by the
agency for study. Our rigorous and disciplined approach considers
all stakeholders, what services to provide, and the safety and
security of the National Airspace System (NAS).

Through innovative competitive sourcing solutions the Office of
Competitive Sourcing ensures the FAA’s delivery of efficient and
effective services to end-users. The office carries out these
activities under the guidelines of OMB Circular A-76 and the FAA’s
Acquisition Management System (AMS).

AFSS A-76 Competition

And If you like the way large corporations serve the public, you're
going to love privatized ATC. :-(


but if you can get on here to complain, then you can also get he
http://www.afss.com/feedback/


Thank you for the link. However, considering that it is the FSS
contractor who will see your complaint, not an organization with
oversight responsibilities like the FAA nor AOPA, it might be better
directed he

If you use FSS services, tell us about it by taking our survey on
AOPA Online:
http://surveys.aopa.org/cgi-bin/qweb...cgi?idx=SP46SS


LOCKHEED MARTIN FLIGHT SERVICE WEB SITE GOES LIVE
Are you put on hold for several minutes when you call
800/WX-BRIEF? You shouldn't be. Are you getting detailed security
and weather briefings when you call? You should be. That's part of
Lockheed Martin's promise to pilots while it is modernizing the
FSS system, which it took over from the FAA on October 4 last
year. If those promises aren't being kept, you now have a way
to report service difficulties to Lockheed Martin--through its new
Web site ( http://www.afss.com ). The site provides pilots with a
means to report any difficulties they experience with flight
service, along with updates on the progress of the modernization,
known as FS21, and information for flight planning. "From the
beginning, AOPA demanded performance standards to hold Lockheed
Martin accountable for the commitments they made to serve pilots,"
said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs.
"We want to make sure the modernization is done right, and this
Web site allows pilots to report what services are and aren't
working for them." See AOPA Online
( http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...60623afss.html ).




NEXT FOR LOCKHEED, THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM?
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192588)
If Lockheed Martin proves successful with the AFSS transition,
will the airspace system be next? The company recently teamed up
with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to create the "Airport
of the Future (http://erau.edu/research/erau_research_park.html),"
a technology test bed at Daytona Beach International Airport. This
"teaching airport" will demonstrate how to provide more
comprehensive data to air traffic controllers, airport operators,
security officials and airline dispatchers. "We believe that a
strong transportation infrastructure is critical to our nation's
economic well-being and our citizens' way of life," Judy Marks,
president of Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security
Solutions, said last week

(http://sev.prnewswire.com/aerospace-...3062006-1.html)
at a briefing of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192588

The choir is assembled and we get the message. But this group is the
wrong one to achieve a change. Bob Noel: please draft a message to the
manager of the Bridgeport FSS. All of us who agree with it will send a
message to you and you can add the names as signers to the letter.


Bob Noel wrote:
ohmygawd - is it just bridgeport FSS or has some idiot
decided to inflict horrible noise on pilots on hold at every
FSS?

The cynic in me says "they" are trying to move people
away from live briefers.