Training hold

[Stinger]

Yes it is. You need an hour of data per month.

Ahhh...that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[DealCity]

Any idea what this might mean for CPC-IT’s awaiting a facility report date? I’m a December NCEPT transfer, effective 3/29. I’m sure ultimately it’s up to each facility but can’t tell how much the new guidance might affect people who haven’t had a “first day” yet.

 

[32andBelow]

Stinger did they say full resumption of training and labs or just that you can train on the floor if you want. Or was it not clear?

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

Does this mean all the facilities with reduced hours are going back to their normal operating hours... If we can bring everyone back then they can stay open. I'm tired of issuing clearances and begging airplanes to cancel because someone is behind them.

 

[Idkwhatimdoing]

Ahhh...that makes sense. Thanks!

So in that case do you think they’ll have data only people come in for currency or is this just going to be for people who were working on actual control positions/scopes?

 

[Stinger]

So in that case do you think they’ll have data only people come in for currency or is this just going to be for people who were working on actual control positions/scopes?

Too early to say what the GMs and Directors will push out to their regions.

 

[Anonguy]

Given I had only recently gone from CPC-IT to CPC, I'll attempt to arrange to get currency on most positions, but the last 1-2 I had finished I wouldn't be comfortable without some level of retraining. An OTS just won't cut it.
Not that I in any way expect it to happen, but they'd really just kick someone who couldn't recert as opposed to sending them to old, lower level facility via nest?

 

[Stinger]

Stinger did they say full resumption of training and labs or just that you can train on the floor if you want. Or was it not clear?

They didn't really say.

Does this mean all the facilities with reduced hours are going back to their normal operating hours... If we can bring everyone back then they can stay open. I'm tired of issuing clearances and begging airplanes to cancel because someone is behind them.

Wasn't clear. Case-by-case basis would be my interpretation.

 

[Roger_Roger]

Not that I in any way expect it to happen, but they'd really just kick someone who couldn't recert as opposed to sending them to old, lower level facility via nest?

Yeah that part was weird.

 

[GulfCharlie]

Here was the NATCA email this morning.


CURRENCY AND NEST JOINT GUIDANCE
June 17, 2020

FAAO 3120.4
Chapter 4. Training Requirements for Air Traffic Control Specialists
Paragraph 8. Recertification Hours.
a. Personnel who have not worked an operational position in the last 120 days, but have done so in the last year, must receive instructor-led training, simulation training, and OJT prior to recertification. OJT hours must not exceed 50 percent of the target hours established for developmentals with no previous experience.
In light of the above 3120.4 provisions, the Parties have discussed and collaboratively determined the following:

Trainees: employees presently on excused absence based on a non-essential determination will be recalled to duty for the purpose of receiving an over-the-shoulder and achieving the necessary time on position to retain existing certifications without a requirement to enter training. Each employee will be assigned to a specific crew for the duration of this process and must occur within 120 days since last working an operational position.

Facreps/ATM’s should collaboratively consider the need to retain these employees beyond the currency process if they have sufficient work to return to an operational schedule. If the Parties determine there is sufficient work, the ATM and Facrep should send the information to the GM/ARVP for validation and concurrence. Returning employees to the operational schedule must not result in an increase to the number of crews established in the current COVID-19 Flexible Schedule.

High-Risk: employees presently on excused absence based on a validated health issue will be offered the option to return to a specific crew for the same purpose of retaining certification or remain on excused absence. High risk employees shall be prioritized in the scheduling to afford as much social distancing as possible and shall be allowed to return to excused absence once currency requirement is met. High-risk employees that chose to remain on excused absence and lose position certifications, will be required to re-certify on the positions. Inability to re-certify will be addressed in accordance with Article 20 of the 2016 CBA.

NEST: The Parties have agreed to conduct a virtual NEST review. Re-assigned employees will not be required to report to their new facility until such time as the new facility begins to conduct OJTI. SF-50’s will be processed to transfer the employee while they remain at their current location. Employees remaining at their current location may be required to participate in virtual training for the new facility while awaiting report date.

 

[Soss]

Any source on this?

Literally us, the Blue Jays

 

[Anonguy]

High-Risk: employees presently on excused absence based on a validated health issue will be offered the option to return to a specific crew for the same purpose of retaining certification or remain on excused absence. High risk employees shall be prioritized in the scheduling to afford as much social distancing as possible and shall be allowed to return to excused absence once currency requirement is met. High-risk employees that chose to remain on excused absence and lose position certifications, will be required to re-certify on the positions. Inability to re-certify will be addressed in accordance with Article 20 of the 2016 CBA.

Saw that.

Relevant section:
"Section 5. At any time during the performance appraisal cycle that an employee's performance is determined to be unacceptable in one (1) or more critical elements, the employee's supervisor shall notify the employee, in writing, of the critical element(s) for which performance is unacceptable and inform the employee of the performance requirement(s) or standard(s) that must be attained in order to demonstrate acceptable performance in his/her position. The supervisor should also inform the employee that, unless his/her performance in the critical element(s) improves to and is sustained at an acceptable level, the employee may be reduced in grade or removed. When the employee's performance is unacceptable, the Agency shall afford the employee a reasonable opportunity, in no case less than ninety (90) days, to demonstrate
acceptable performance, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the employee's position.
As part of the employee's opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance, the supervisor shall write a plan that identifies what the employee must do to improve his/her performance to be retained in the job and what the Agency will do to assist the employee.
Every thirty (30) days during the period for improving performance, the supervisor shall provide the employee with a written review identifying the employee's progress and identifying any areas still needing improvement.
Additionally, the supervisor shall include specific recommendations of methods and means of improving that the employee may use to attain an
acceptable level of competence."

I suppose this doesn't preclude the possibility of retention in a lower capacity vis-a-vis "reduced in grade". Just seems like a weird thing to say re: Stingers post- "If they don't reach certification, they won't be eligible for the NEST and will be handled in accordance with the CBA."

 

[FightingIrish2012]

Any source on this?

Your mom.

Any source on this?

Joking, remember when Michael Moore said that on Simpson’s? That was awesome.

Given I had only recently gone from CPC-IT to CPC, I'll attempt to arrange to get currency on most positions, but the last 1-2 I had finished I wouldn't be comfortable without some level of retraining. An OTS just won't cut it.
Not that I in any way expect it to happen, but they'd really just kick someone who couldn't recert as opposed to sending them to old, lower level facility via nest?

I doubt they have the balls to fire someone like that, it’s like when they tried that language saying failure to certify at 2 straight facilities would result in termination (they eventually removed that, since they many times were not even doing that even when it was mandated).

 

[Stinger]

Just seems like a weird thing to say re: Stingers post- "If they don't reach certification, they won't be eligible for the NEST and will be handled in accordance with the CBA."

I thought it was interesting on the phone call too, but no one asked any questions about it. Might come up again next week.

 

[Maintainvfr]

Good afternoon, I hope you are all well. I have some information regarding training that I should not be sharing but I believe it is ethically correct to do so, and if I was in your shoes I would want to hear this too.
As you all know there will be a facility specific Zoom call tomorrow. The FAA is planning a reduction in force and will begin layoffs/terminations tomorrow. I don’t have any other information but from what I can tell they will start with the newest trainees and work their way up. They are planning a total of 1,289 terminations of employment. If you were invited to a Zoom call tomorrow, your facility was selected for ROF. I know this must be pretty shocking and I’m sorry you all have to go through this, now at least you have a few more hours heads up. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Now here's some trolling I can appreciate

 

[mnsalty]

Good afternoon, I hope you are all well. I have some information regarding training that I should not be sharing but I believe it is ethically correct to do so, and if I was in your shoes I would want to hear this too.
As you all know there will be a facility specific Zoom call tomorrow. The FAA is planning a reduction in force and will begin layoffs/terminations tomorrow. I don’t have any other information but from what I can tell they will start with the newest trainees and work their way up. They are planning a total of 1,289 terminations of employment. If you were invited to a Zoom call tomorrow, your facility was selected for ROF. I know this must be pretty shocking and I’m sorry you all have to go through this, now at least you have a few more hours heads up. Good luck in your future endeavors.

And you all thought I was the troll

 

[Soss]

Sick now I can smoke weed aga.... for the first time in my life

 

[Phillytroll69]

If they don't reach certification, they won't be eligible for the NEST and will be handled in accordance with the CBA.

Doesn't the cba specify the nest

 

[Mike Kilo]

If they don't reach certification, they won't be eligible for the NEST and will be handled in accordance with the CBA.

Doesn't the cba specify the nest

Is this just to make sure people don’t fail to recert so they can get out of a bad facility? Make the options worse or something?

 

[Anonguy]

Is this just to make sure people don’t fail to recert so they can get out of a bad facility? Make the options worse or something?

Likely. Such a bizarre thing to even address. As though someone spent time thinking about such a possibility. "If you lose your certs through no fault of your own, don't think we're going to treat you like the rest of the workforce if you fail afterwards."