Here is a look into what took place this past week from Andrew LeBovidge, NATCA NCEPT representative:
A quick synopsis of yesterday’s NCEPT panel.
As stated previously, approximately 90 employee packages were erroneously left of the managerial ranking lists when those lists were initially released. All were added for consideration and lists were revised to incorporate the additional names. As the panel progressed, we asked the Agency to identify those employees who fell into this category, to see how they were ranked by each facility. 5 facilities (D10. SCT, NCT, LGA, ZMA) did not rank the missing personnel - which proved to be a moot point, as the individuals either were selected at a higher priority facility, or the losing facilities could no longer release personnel when these 5 were due to make selections. Other facilities, with the exception of DTW, seemed to have incorporate the additions into the list with due consideration. DTW seemed to place all at the bottom of the list - which again proved to be a moot point.
151 selections were made, including 16 in the second round to place at the FPL-9 and below up to 100% projected. The second round included placements at SEA, SRQ, HOU, ANC, PDX, CLE, DVT, SAT, ADS, PVD, GRB, BOI.
At 4 facilities (LAX, I90, MIA, and ORD) the decision was made not to place every available candidate, as those facilities had high percentages of trainees and to add more could stress their training programs. These facilities did receive remaining candidates from the top of their ranking lists.
Mutual swaps - 8 swaps were considered, and 2 were approved. 5 were denied because one or both of the facilities involved were “red”, and the last one was no longer valid since once of the employees had been selected during the NCEPT round. Additionally, we resolved the concern with “cutoff dates” for mutual swap submission. After much debate with the Agency, which wanted to have submission deadlines, it was determined that any swap that was in the hands of the ESTs when they headed to the panel would be considered. Effectively, that’s the Monday or Tuesday before the panel convenes.
We are working to increase the frequency of the panels. The next two meetings are set - Sept 7 and December 14. We will try to schedule the first panel of 2018 in February, and then go from there. No particular group associated with the NCEPT expressed grave concerns about the frequency, so I think we’ll be able to add additional sessions without too much difficulty.
