We still need FSS

On Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:35:59 -0700, Jay Honeck
wrote in .com:

http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a pilot
is preferred, but is not necessary.

This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high
quality FSS crew, IMHO.

I applaud LockMart's aviation experience requirement for flight
service specialists, but you must remember that a significant number
of experienced personnel, familiar with local meteorological
phenomena, have been replaced by raw recruits. It will be a long time
(if ever) before they acquire the expertise of the old hands who
formerly manned the briefing lines.

How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

Never.

Too many times, around here.

That's remarkable.

How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

Never.

Really? That's remarkable.

Too many times, around here.

That's remarkable.

In my experience, I'd say about one in five calls to FSS resulted in a
monotone briefing from a dead fish. (Of course, at least they
answered the phone!)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:37:20 -0700, Jay Honeck
wrote:

In my experience, I'd say about one in five calls to FSS resulted in a
monotone briefing from a dead fish.

I agree. Since I'm a DUATS / ADDS guy, I only place a voice call
about one in five flights, but my experience is similar.