Touring a facility

[jermscentral]

I just visited my future facility yesterday; I called up there last week and told them I had my TOL and would like to see the place where I was slated to work, and they said to come on up. I had toured T75 TRACON and STL (thanks to atc_wannabe on this forum) in November and December of last year, so I don't see why some allow it and some don't. Though now that I think about it, the front line sup did ask if I happened to have the TOL with me...

 

[blakehanson]

its illegal to visit a facility now

wow, you really got pounded for saying this. Sorry man!

 

[teetee]

Maybe the ATM is former management with the TSA. That sounds like something that someone in that bone-headed organization would do.

On another note, has your husband heard anything about ERAM holding up his training once he gets to his facility?

From what I remember, the guy that told my husband about this ATC job (my husband's dad's friend) is actually the one in charge of the ERAM training and such at ZLC. They have been preparing and training the employees for this since 2006/2007 (if I am remembering correctly). I will have to verify all my facts on this.

My husband hasn't heard about anything holding up his training once he gets to ZLC. Actually from everything he has heard from current trainees (soon to be CPC) at his facility and the facility sups and managers, he has only heard that the training should be completed in 2 years or under. They are fully staffed and ready to get people certified. He did hear about 2 washing out a couple weeks back. That TOTALLY sucks but you know it will happen. Just makes you a bit nervous to see washout happening at the facility you are slated for. While it isn't horrendous numbers like some places, it is never fun to see

Why, have you heard something about ZLC and training being affected by the new system?

 

[mbalunda]

My husband hasn't heard about anything holding up his training once he gets to ZLC. Actually from everything he has heard from current trainees (soon to be CPC) at his facility and the facility sups and managers, he has only heard that the training should be completed in 2 years or under. They are fully staffed and ready to get people certified. He did hear about 2 washing out a couple weeks back. That TOTALLY sucks but you know it will happen. Just makes you a bit nervous to see washout happening at the facility you are slated for. While it isn't horrendous numbers like some places, it is never fun to see

Why, have you heard something about ZLC and training being affected by the new system?

ZLC has been washing out more folks than usual lately. I've got a friend who is a controller there. Previously he said maybe 1 out of each group of 20-25 would wash out, but that recently they've been losing more people. Recently one of their trainee groups had all members go back to the remidial D-side classes for a week because they didn't feel anyone was particularly effecient yet. Overall from what I've heard ZLC isn't too bad to check out at. He checked out in a little under 3 years, some people behind him have done it in about 2.5 years, but nothing less than that. He's actually training people now.....he recently freaked out some new hires about two weeks ago. The training manager introduced them to my friend, and she asked if he had any advice for them. He told them "Make sure you study hard, because we just found out we are overstaffed and are washing more people out to make up for it" The trainees apparently didn't find the humor in it.

Overall I've heard they aren't too bad with training times though. Trainees can sometimes get lost at the larger/busier facilities. He went to school with people who ended up in Oakland, who did not reach CPC untill a full 1.5 years later than he did in Salt Lake.

 

[Rosstafari]

he recently freaked out some new hires about two weeks ago. The training manager introduced them to my friend, and she asked if he had any advice for them. He told them "Make sure you study hard, because we just found out we are overstaffed and are washing more people out to make up for it" The trainees apparently didn't find the humor in it.

Hahaha. Screw em. If they can't catch onto darker humor, maybe they don't belong in the field. They should already have some cynicism toward the FAA by that point anyway.

 

[swinte00]

I just visited my future facility yesterday; I called up there last week and told them I had my TOL and would like to see the place where I was slated to work, and they said to come on up. I had toured T75 TRACON and STL (thanks to atc_wannabe on this forum) in November and December of last year, so I don't see why some allow it and some don't. Though now that I think about it, the front line sup did ask if I happened to have the TOL with me...

Visited my facility this morning. Overall it's quite a nice place. The staff was friendly, and I had the training manager escorting me and explaining different aspects of the different jobs at the up/down. I really liked the TRACON room. Tower wasn't too busy as it was early morning and there weren't too many flights inbound/outbound.

I do have to admit, the guys in the tower didn't seem too thrilled at the fact that I'm younger than most and I'm finishing a degree in CS. I guess they're afraid I'm going to try and tinker with the equipment

All in all, it's a great place, everyone knows everyone else, and I can't wait to get to OKC and then start there!

 

[Barty]

Why, have you heard something about ZLC and training being affected by the new system?

No, I've heard the general rumors, but I really haven't gotten a straight answer out of anybody at this point. I've just been told that ERAM would/could delay training at centers in the process of implementing it by 6-12 months, but nobody could tell me 6-12 months from what date or if it will have any impact on classroom training or just training in the labs. So I'm just treating it as what it is, a rumor.

Frankly, at this point I'm not worrying about it, but I was just seeing if anyone a little further down the line had heard anything else.

 

[teetee]

From what I hear ERAM is going to be taught in OKC starting in August.

 

[Navec]

What is this ERAM you speak of?

 

[mbalunda]

What is this ERAM you speak of?

From Wiki:
The En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system architecture replaces the En Route Host computer system and its backup. ERAM provides all of today’s functionality and:

• Adds new capabilities needed to support the evolution of our National Airspace System
• Improves information security and streamlines traffic flow at our international borders
• Processes flight radar data
• Provides communications support
• Generates display data to air traffic controllers
• The display system provides real-time electronic aeronautical information and efficient data management.
• Provides a fully functional backup system, precluding the need to restrict operations in the event of a primary failure
• The backup system provides the National Transportation Safety Board-recommended safety alerts, altitude warnings and conflict alerts.
• Improves surveillance by using a greater number and variety of surveillance sources

The open system architecture enables the use of future capabilities to efficiently handle traffic growth and ensure a more stable and supportable system.