Odd exchange with FSS

I had an odd exchange with FSS today when I filed an ADIZ flight plan.
Everything went as usual until we got to the end. The briefer said is there
anything else? I said no, except for your initials. I always ask for
operating initials when filing an ADIZ flight plan, since I've heard
complaints about those flight plans being lost. She said, I need your
information first. I said what do you mean? She said I need your initials
before I tell you mine. I said I just gave my name and telephone number as
part of the pilot information. She said initials have nothing to do with
your name. Finally she got around to giving me her initials, but I've never
had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play games like
that.

"LWG" wrote in message
...

I had an odd exchange with FSS today when I filed an ADIZ flight plan.
Everything went as usual until we got to the end. The briefer said is
there anything else? I said no, except for your initials. I always ask for
operating initials when filing an ADIZ flight plan, since I've heard
complaints about those flight plans being lost. She said, I need your
information first. I said what do you mean? She said I need your initials
before I tell you mine. I said I just gave my name and telephone number
as part of the pilot information. She said initials have nothing to do
with your name. Finally she got around to giving me her initials, but
I've never had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play
games like that.

Well, you started the game, why shouldn't she play too?

LWG wrote:

Finally she got around to giving me her initials, but I've never
had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play games like
that.

While I expect some obvious morale degradation with FSS employees in light
of the October outsourcing, I still have yet to experience it. Perhaps
this was one example?

--
Peter


















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"LWG" wrote in message
...
I had an odd exchange with FSS today when I filed an ADIZ flight plan.
Everything went as usual until we got to the end. The briefer said is
there anything else? I said no, except for your initials. I always ask for
operating initials when filing an ADIZ flight plan, since I've heard
complaints about those flight plans being lost. She said, I need your
information first. I said what do you mean? She said I need your initials
before I tell you mine. I said I just gave my name and telephone number as
part of the pilot information. She said initials have nothing to do with
your name. Finally she got around to giving me her initials, but I've
never had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play games
like that.

I've had some flaky exchanges with Leesburg FSS specialists in general which
I have attributed to low morale. Aren't the calls recorded; are initials
really necessary?

Brad Zeigler wrote:

I've had some flaky exchanges with Leesburg FSS specialists in general which
I have attributed to low morale. Aren't the calls recorded; are initials
really necessary?

Well, they wouldn't be necessary if the pilot had the recording, but since
that's not the case, it would be wise to have some info about who you actually
spoke with.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:

"LWG" wrote in message
...

I had an odd exchange with FSS today when I filed an ADIZ flight plan.
Everything went as usual until we got to the end. The briefer said is
there anything else? I said no, except for your initials. I always ask for
operating initials when filing an ADIZ flight plan, since I've heard
complaints about those flight plans being lost. She said, I need your
information first. I said what do you mean? She said I need your initials
before I tell you mine. I said I just gave my name and telephone number
as part of the pilot information. She said initials have nothing to do
with your name. Finally she got around to giving me her initials, but
I've never had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play
games like that.


Well, you started the game, why shouldn't she play too?



Yes, just ask for her name next time since you've already given her your
name.


Matt

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message ...
Steven P. McNicoll wrote:

"LWG" wrote in message ...

I had an odd exchange with FSS today when I filed an ADIZ flight plan. Everything went as usual until we got
to the end. The briefer said is there anything else? I said no, except for your initials. I always ask for
operating initials when filing an ADIZ flight plan, since I've heard complaints about those flight plans
being lost. She said, I need your information first. I said what do you mean? She said I need your
initials before I tell you mine. I said I just gave my name and telephone number as part of the pilot
information. She said initials have nothing to do with your name. Finally she got around to giving me her
initials, but I've never had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play games like that.


Well, you started the game, why shouldn't she play too?

Yes, just ask for her name next time since you've already given her your name.


And don't forget to get her home phone number too!

Since weather was too bad for VFR flying today and I haven't had
anything else to do I visited my local FSS. Usually I get briefings
from them on the phone with varying degrees of success and
friendliness.
In contrast, talking to the people at the office they were all
extremely helpful and nice ! Maybe they appreciate the distraction of
foot traffic !? Anyway, this was a great experience and in the future
if I have to get a longer briefing I'll continue to show up at their
doorstep rather than via WXBRIEF.

John Clonts wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message ...

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:


"LWG" wrote in message ...


I had an odd exchange with FSS today when I filed an ADIZ flight plan. Everything went as usual until we got
to the end. The briefer said is there anything else? I said no, except for your initials. I always ask for
operating initials when filing an ADIZ flight plan, since I've heard complaints about those flight plans
being lost. She said, I need your information first. I said what do you mean? She said I need your
initials before I tell you mine. I said I just gave my name and telephone number as part of the pilot
information. She said initials have nothing to do with your name. Finally she got around to giving me her
initials, but I've never had a briefer relucatant to give operating initials, or play games like that.


Well, you started the game, why shouldn't she play too?

Yes, just ask for her name next time since you've already given her your name.



And don't forget to get her home phone number too!

I'd ask for a picture first. :-)


Matt

I have had few problems with my ADIZ flight plan getting lost, but I often
check it several times enroute. I was assured in St. Petersburg that they
could file an ADIZ flight plan, but it wasn't there when I checked on it. I
used to hear a lot of pilots complaining when their plan was lost, and
Potomac would ask them who they filed it with. I don't know whether it
would help, but I thought giving them the initials would be a good idea.
For those not in the Baltimore area, there's some funny geography to learn.
For example, a flight plan starting in Westminster, Maryland, goes to New
York ARTCC, even though Westminster is very close to Baltimore. An ADIZ
plan with an entry at Westminster would never appear in Washington's
airspace unless the FSS person forced it there. That's just one way your
plan can get lost if things are handled properly.


"George Patterson" wrote in message
news:SAEqe.4336$Nx1.2848@trndny05...
Brad Zeigler wrote:

I've had some flaky exchanges with Leesburg FSS specialists in general
which I have attributed to low morale. Aren't the calls recorded; are
initials really necessary?

Well, they wouldn't be necessary if the pilot had the recording, but since
that's not the case, it would be wise to have some info about who you
actually spoke with.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.