11/16/2001 Classification and Compensation Update

TSP Info

Interesting info under the TSP button above.  Open season, 12% FERS and 7% CSRS contributions and a higher cap for 2002.  Go to http://home.att.net/~oceanview and click on TSP (or click above if your on the page now) for the details.

Retro Pay for Upgrades (16 facilities)

It appears this has all been paid with the exception of about 5 people that are being fixed and are aware they are being fixed.  Keep in mind time spent as a New Hire does not count towards the settlement agreement.  Only time spent as an Academy Grad (AG) or higher counts.

The Tampa Patch

There is an automated traffic count program that is available for Arts 3A facilities.  This program was developed and tweaked by Tampa (TPA).  This program is also in use at about 6-8 other facilities.  This program may be available shortly for all 3A sites.  This program will require local negotiations and adaptation (scratch pad entries) if facilities desire to use it...it will also require local validation after it is configured to ensure it is counting correctly...it is not "plug and play".   I say again...it is NOT plug and play. 

This program also gets us further down the off-load path which will take the manual counting processes off the backs of the controllers (manual count was intended to be short term....here we are three years later).  This program will also allow facilities to archive accurate data they can later compare to offload.  Tampa is one of the key test sites for off-load. 

Offload is much better than the Tampa patch...we need to evaluate which one we want to pursue...since Off-Load went into San Juan we may be able to fast track that tool....and abandon the Tampa Patch....more later.

The Parser (aka Off-Load)

The San Juan Version (Micro EARTS) of the program was installed at San Juan CERAP the week of August 27, 2001.   It has a radar display of the facilities airspace and uses Radar Data to count traffic.  It is much better than the Tampa patch.  You can watch the aircraft fly and use Radar Replay to validate any aircraft count. 

San Juan was the first site in the Nation to receive this tool.  They have all the Radar airspace configurations (Enroute, Terminal and Oceanic in the CERAP and San Juan Tower) and use Micro EARTS which we could get the Radar data off of without a NCP required for Host facilities.

This program counts well within the 3% tolerance (Actually about 99% accurate at San Juan).  It eliminates the need for manual count/augmentation at radar facilities.  Next up is Anchorage and Honolulu. 

Many facilities are receiving their "CRU-Data receivers".  These are Black Dells with flat screen monitors.  This CRU-Data receiver is the pipe line for your "Off-Load" data.  Once in place and fully configured if you have Radar data you have traffic count data.  You don't even send it...MSDT just takes it.

Anchorage is scheduled to get the "Parser" Automated Traffic Count Program the week of December 9. 2001 and Honolulu is scheduled the week of January 14, 2002.  The NVT will be validating the installations.  Once these facilities are in place we will accelerate the deployment.

Enroute Off-Load

Fort Worth Center (ZFW) is the key test site for Off-Load (Enroute Version).  The program developer there is Mark Dawson.  Mark is pretty talented and he and Chris could take care this program in short order with proper support.  The problem we will run into is the lines drawn between AOS and Air Traffic.  AOS is sensitive about tying any equipment into the NAS...even only "one way" equipment.  There are also hardware issues to resolve.  It seems to be moving....just can't tell if it's forward or backwards due to the current pace of the program.  We need this one too....manual augmentation for the Enroute environment is not a good idea....Enroute Off-Load gives us a different option than Manual Augmentation.

Fort Worth Center is beginning to receive off-load data at this time and MSDT is planning on a ETAP NVT visit to ZFW in February 2002 (of course we don't get too excited about MSDT and their dates).  After the "parser" is in place at ZFW we will do ZAB, ZHU...then on to ZMA...then a National Deployment of the ETAP version of the Parser.  This will get us out of the Manual Augmentation business for the Enroute facilities.

Atlanta Consolidated Tracon (A80)

Work continues on modeling the virtual facility Classification Index to establish the ATC Level for A80 in accordance with Pay Rule 59.  There was a site visit the week of September 24, 2001 with the NVT and the Agency.  Then more work on the data (modeling a virtual facility).  Then another site visit...then more work.

It would have been much easier except ATL had data problems.  It seems, for example, they did not really report the 10pm hour at 10pm.  We tried to get them to realize this problem early on...it didn't work. 

The hour reported (although a requirement) is not really a major issue for ATL since the program uses the busiest 3660 hours (1830/1830) when ATL is by itself.  However, when you try to combine the 10pm hour for ATL;  with the 10pm hour for M87 and CSG; then the hour becomes important. 

Additionally it was discovered they reported the 0500 hour in the wrong day.  There were quite a few issues to work through with the core data.   We ended up scraping the data files from ATL and using their raw ARTS files (dbf files for the ARTS3A and pdr files for the ARTS3E) to rebuild the ATL data file to merge with CSG and M87 (in the correct hour) to come up with A80.  Overflights also had to be modeled since an overflight for CSG and M87 that is an arrival/departure at ATL is simply an arrival/departure for A80....not an overflight too.

I would like to thank Vince Polk, Barry Ratchford and Ray Brouillard  from A80 along with a very special thanks to Cris Johnson, Brad Burdette, Scot Morrison and Mike Coulter for their work in getting this monumental task done in the face of adversity.

So...after literally 100s of NVT hours we are close to a CI for A80.  Should have the work completed in time for Christmas.

Other Consolidated Facilities

Still pending are the grades for the consolidated facilities and the towers left behind.  ATC grades indicated below are agreed to as of March 2001 and are subject to the upgrade downgrade provisions.  If not indicated below they are still under review with the NVT and ATX-20 and indicated as TBD (To be determined).

A80-Atlanta Consolidated Facility-To be determined see above

    CSG- Columbus GA-Tracon moving into A80 with CSG Tower left behind-ATC 4

    M87- Macon Tracon moving into A80- N/A facility combined into A80

PCT- Potomac Consolidated Tracon- ATC 12

    IAD- Dulles-Tracon moving into PCT with IAD Tower left behind-ATC 11

    DCA-National-Tracon moving into PCT with DCA Tower left behind-ATC 10

    BWI-Baltimore-Tracon moving into PCT with BWI Tower left behind-ATC 9

    RIC-Richmond-Tracon moving into PCT with RIC Tower left behind-ATC 6

    ADW-Andrews-Tracon moving into PCT with ADW Tower left behind-ATC 6

NCT- Northern California Tracon- ATC 12

    O90-Tracon moving into NCT-N/A facility combined into NCT

    MCC-Sacramento-Tracon moving into NCT-N/A facility combined into NCT

    MRY-Monterey-Tracon moving into NCT with MRY Tower left behind-ATC 5

    SCK-Stockton-Tracon moving into NCT with SCK Tower left behind-ATC 5

F90-Boston Consolidated Tracon ATC TBD

    A90-Boston Tracon-moving into A91-N/A facility combined into A91

    MHT-Manchester-Tracon moving into A91 with MHT tower left behind ATC TBD

These are the only consolidations being worked by the NVT and the Reclass Team.  We will only review other consolidations under direction of the Executive Board due to our  by-laws.

The NVT and the Agency are currently reviewing these consolidations.  Initial agreements on break point usage have been agreed to.  Remaining work revolves around the validation of the current facilities in order to ensure compliance with the Classification Standard as these grades are set for the Consolidated Facility and the Towers left behind.

Upgrades pending validation per our MOU

Pending Upgrades under review are:

1. PNE-North East Philadelphia.  Facility failed the validation the first time through due to overflight counting practices in the tower.  On that occasion an MDB swap was done zeroing out tower overflights as the facility had indicated they had corrected the problem.  During this validation (second time around) the facility provided documentation that indicated the overflight problem was not corrected until their new LOA with NXX went into effect in January 2001.   As a result the facility will have another MDB swap zeroing out overflights up to January 15, 2001.  CI has also fallen below the break point since validation began even before the overflights are removed.  Additionally, PNE had a little trouble with tape validations and has been directed by ATX to perform, at a minimum, quarterly validations.  This upgrade is going to be denied by the Agency for failure to sustain the required CI, counting problems with overflights and tape validations.
2. AFW-Alliance.  Third Consecutive month was June 2001.  Since the validation began the facility has provided documentation on traffic count issues in the form of memorandums and tape validations.  AFW had trouble with  tape validations and has been directed by ATX to perform, at a minimum, quarterly validations.  Additionally, the CI has fallen below the break point since the tape validations began.  This upgrade is going to be denied by the Agency for failure to sustain the required CI and tape validations.
3. FPR-Fort Pierce.  Facility had an admitted problem double counting IFR traffic due to their forms prior to March 1, 2001.  It appears the facility may qualify for an upgrade if we manipulate their data to fix the incorrect traffic counting procedures that were in place prior to March 1, 2001.  Facility has submitted an upgrade package.  In process of validation.
4. FAT-Fresno.  Third consecutive month over the breakpoint is September 2001.  Facility was directed to perform tape validations and found significant problems in their counting procedures.  In process of validation. 

Downgrades

The following facilities are under NVT/ATX-20 review for possible downgrade consideration as contained in the upgrade/downgrade MOU:

Note: The facility IDs in Red are being actively pursued by the Agency for downgrade consideration.  No data since September 11, 2001 is considered in this action....that is they are all below the buffer before September 11, 2001 occurred.

ACT-Waco-Recently upgraded.  Facility is below the buffer for 10 consecutive months as of the August 2001 CI run.  August 2001 CI is 131.16 and the buffer is 133.00.  This facility was just upgraded to an ATC 7 in September 1999.  It is situations like this that make future upgrades more difficult.  Downgrade from ATC 7 to ATC 6 possible.

ADS-Addison-Facility is below the buffer for 21 consecutive months as of the August 2001 CI run.  August 2001 CI is 111.04.  Buffer is 114-below buffer since January 2000.  Facility is missing data.  If facility is closed between 23 and 24 local they need to submit profile change.  If they are open they need to enter data for those hours.   Downgrade from ATC 7 to ATC 6 possible.

AGC-Allegheny-August 2001 CI is 72.89.  Buffer is 80.75-below buffer between February 1999 and March 2000, back over buffer from April 2000-November 2000, back below buffer for 9 consecutive months (December 2000-August 2001).   Downgrade from ATC 6 to ATC 5 possible.

APA-Centennial-August 2001 CI is 209.49.  Buffer is 237.5-below buffer since August 2000 or 13 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 9 to ATC 8 possible.

ARB-Ann Arbor-August 2001 CI is 75.07. Buffer is 80.75-below buffer since June 2000 or 15 consecutive months.  Facility was recently upgraded to ATC 6.  Downgrade back to ATC 5 possible.

BPT-Jefferson County-August CI is 89.18.  Buffer is 90.25.  Below buffer since October 2000 or 11 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 6 to ATC 5 possible.

Note:  BPT found problem with tower data not being populated from 3/21/2001 to 6/30/2001.  Facility corrected "zeros" in tower count.

CNO-Chino-August 2001 CI is 109.78.  Buffer is 114-below buffer since August 2000 or 13 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 7 to ATC 6 possible.

FTW-Fort Worth Meacham-August 2001 CI is 191.56.  Buffer is 237.5-below buffer since September 1999 or 24 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 9 to ATC 8 possible.

LGB-Longbeach-August 2001 CI is 234.33.  Buffer is 237.5.  Below buffer since January 2001 or 8 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 9 to ATC 8 possible.

NEW-Lakefront-August 2001 CI is 86.19.  Missing data received back over Buffer.  Removed from list.

OAK-Oakland-August 2001 CI is 284.66.  Buffer is 299.25.  Below buffer since January 2001 or 8 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 10 to ATC 9 possible.

RVS-Tulsa Jones-August 2001 CI is 175.09.  Buffer is 175.75.  Below buffer since November 2000 or 10 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 8 to ATC 7 possible.

SPI-Springfield-August 2001 CI is 122.28  Buffer is 133.  Below buffer since November of 2000 or 10 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 7 to ATC 6 possible.

TOA-Torrance-August 2001 CI is 107.2.  Buffer is 114-below buffer since May 2000 or 16 consecutive months.  Downgrade from ATC 7 to ATC 6 possible.

TOL-Toledo-August 2001 CI is 221.17.  Missing data received back over Buffer.  Removed from list.

VNY-Van Nuys-August 2001 CI is 234.42.  Buffer is 237.5.  Below buffer since February 2001 or 7 consecutive months.

In accordance with the upgrade/downgrade MOU these facilities must first have 6 consecutive months below the buffer and are required to be validated prior to any downgrade action occurring.  Read the pay rules (see Pay Rule 33 and 34) to understand what happens in the event of a facility downgrade by clicking on the pay rule button above.

OSI/SCI 1.6% effective Pay Period 01-14

There are about 500 people (including some MSS) that are in "Pay Retention" (see pay rule 33 and OSI/SCI button above).  These employees receive half the OSI (.4%) and receive the SCI (.8%) in a lump sum as a cash award.  Payroll did not correctly process the lump sum action.  Employees in pay retention will receive their Lump Sum SCI payment on Pay Period 01-15.

Hearing request on a proposed Agency debt

There are about 24 people who have requested hearings on overpayments that the Agency has not moved forward on.  Bob Taylor is talking to Ray Thoman to determine what the Agency's intentions are with these hearings. 

Recalculations on OSI back to January 1999

This issue effects around 60 people and revolves around the fact that the Agency did not "move the band" before determining if a person was more than 40% over the band min and thus applicable for Pay Retention Rules (half the OSI and SCI in lump sum).  They are fixing this program issue at Pay roll and are going to use it for the upcoming OSI/SCI that takes effect this Sunday (1.6064% increase).  Once it checks out they will reapply the program to those 60 people and redo SF 50s back to January of 1999 as applicable.  This should resolve the last remaining pay issue with implementation.  The affected employees should see the fix in about 2-3 months due to the work involved in reprocessing all the SF 50s.  Once it is done they will see adjustments on their pay checks and then the new SF 50s will follow.

Richmond Pay Issues on the upgrade to FG 13

Mark Dillon (PIT) is working this issue for us----->>>>

It appears when Richmond (RIC) was upgraded under the old system the Agency made some folks that were an FG 12 an FG 13 even though they were still in training (not FPLs).  They then converted them as FPLs on the October 1, 1998 conversion process.  After all that they have come back and said; "opps you should have remained as FG 12s during the upgrade on the old system and also converted as developmentals under the October 1, 1998 conversion so pay us back a few thousand dollars.  As of September 19, 2001 payroll indicates 3 of the 4 people affected have been corrected and the forth should be corrected today (September 19, 2001).  It will take a couple pay periods to get the actions (new SF 50s) entered and make the employees whole again.  Once it is fixed let me know please (pin 10046).  If it is not fixed by pay period 21 elevate the grievances.   If it is fixed, correctly, then withdraw the grievances.  Glad to have helped with this problem under the old FG system.