FAM ride restrictions...

A

asapthat123

Well-Known Member
So what do you think the likelihood is that the FAA will issue a year long waiver for dispatchers not having to take FAM rides? Either that or make them forced to be in the simulator?
 
I don't think the FAA will do anything. Companies should though, at my shop, the company has restricted our international and ETOPS fam ride destinations, your only choices are HNL for ETOPS and SJU for international.
 
AKSledhead said:
I don't think the FAA will do anything. Companies should though, at my shop, the company has restricted our international and ETOPS fam ride destinations, your only choices are HNL for ETOPS and SJU for international.
Click to expand...
Curious how long SJU lasts. Was going to jump down there Wednesday for a quick getaway, not sure that’s going to happen. Read they instituted a curfew down there.
 
I’m on my last commute for a bit. Canceling my getaway next week. I’m not sure doing any leisure trips is a good idea right now. Gotta take it week by week at the moment. More concerned about a travel ban than getting/giving someone COVID-19.

My FAM is due in another month or so, and I’ll probably choose to do the sims unless things change dramatically by then, which I hope they will.

POTUS finally pulled his head out of his ass and realized this isn’t some liberal conspiracy. Took long enough. I’m hoping that will help, especially since real testing is rolling out this week.
 
paincorp said:
I’m on my last commute for a bit. Canceling my getaway next week. I’m not sure doing any leisure trips is a good idea right now. Gotta take it week by week at the moment. More concerned about a travel ban than getting/giving someone COVID-19.

My FAM is due in another month or so, and I’ll probably choose to do the sims unless things change dramatically by then, which I hope they will.

POTUS finally pulled his head out of his ass and realized this isn’t some liberal conspiracy. Took long enough. I’m hoping that will help, especially since real testing is rolling out this week.
Click to expand...
The sooner they get this mass drive thru testing going the better. South Korea has been doing the drive thru testing and it's helped them get a grip on who is infected.
 
Is my company just going over and above or do you really have to have an ETOPS fam ride?

Im hoping to weasel out of it and just do my 5 hours in the sim so I can check out. I feel like the only FAR is that you just have to jump seat 5 hours.
 
derriko said:
Is my company just going over and above or do you really have to have an ETOPS fam ride?

Im hoping to weasel out of it and just do my 5 hours in the sim so I can check out. I feel like the only FAR is that you just have to jump seat 5 hours.
Click to expand...
You are correct. ETOPS FAM rides are not required per the FARs. Some companies like to make you do them though.
 
We have a three step individual recurrent process.

1. A desk check
2. A one-on-one check outside of the ops center in a small, closed space with no real-time desk dispatching.
3. The FAM ride

The desk checks will continue, albeit with proper personal distance (the check dispatcher monitors your work from another terminal and is at least 6-8 feet away).

The one-on-one check has been halted for now due to risk from close personal proximity.

The FAM ride is still required by the FAA FSDO and must be accomplished in the SIM with a total of 5 hours.

So... the FAA considered the one-on-one examination too risky and allowed us to skip it for now. The desk check is fine given personal separation standards.

BUT - The FAA requires me to be in a box with three other people for five hours. Or maybe 6 overall if I have to do two to fulfill my 5 hours.

p.s. I have a good lawyer.
 
What does the lawyer have to do with anything? Are you going to go Karen and throw a fit demanding to speak to the manager to get your way?
 
Yeah, I'm gonna go waaah waah waaah just like you say. That post script wasn't sarcasm in the slightest. No sir, you hit the nail on the head without being a dickwad.
 
Kev said:
We have a three step individual recurrent process.

1. A desk check
2. A one-on-one check outside of the ops center in a small, closed space with no real-time desk dispatching.
3. The FAM ride

The desk checks will continue, albeit with proper personal distance (the check dispatcher monitors your work from another terminal and is at least 6-8 feet away).

The one-on-one check has been halted for now due to risk from close personal proximity.

The FAM ride is still required by the FAA FSDO and must be accomplished in the SIM with a total of 5 hours.

So... the FAA considered the one-on-one examination too risky and allowed us to skip it for now. The desk check is fine given personal separation standards.

BUT - The FAA requires me to be in a box with three other people for five hours. Or maybe 6 overall if I have to do two to fulfill my 5 hours.

p.s. I have a good lawyer.
Click to expand...

This is me spitballing but it sounds like maybe they think that the one on one does not bring enough additional info to justify the risk. Perhaps they think the FAM ride is necessary and that there is not another way to truly experience otherwise in the way they want.
 
While the FARs only mention the 5 hours (And reductions for landings, etc..), however, 8900 does state:
2) POIs should ensure that the aircraft dispatchers responsible for extended overwater routes are provided operational familiarization with those routes and with flightcrew procedures, as well as with domestic routes. Aircraft dispatchers with responsibility for ETOPS and operations according to OpSpec paragraphs B043 and B044 should observe these operations.

so yes by FAR there’s no requirement But POIs will want something in the training program to ensure the dispatchers observe such operations. so this year, i Think there should be no issue getting an exemption but y’all have to do eventually.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top