Flight Service Stations

[tracearabians]

I would just like to know has anyone, other than me, noticed any problems with flight service since they contracted out . ?

 

[PlaneJohn]

Yeah, it seems like you wait on hold a lot longer or get routed through another call center. I file with DUAT, get WX with WSI, and follow it up with a briefing from flight service. I think from now on Im just going to print my wx from DAUT, and forget the briefing. If the wx is bad its always nice to have another human give you a second opinion though.

 

[southernpilot]

Yes! I haven't been able to get through for a few weeks now. I have given up. Maybe in six months to a year they will get their act together.
They need to know though how dissatisfied we are with them.

 

[Gutenberg]

Do we really need them anyway? They tell me not to fly when it's severe clear with a single pop up 30 miles away on an August afternoon. Capitalism works. I only call them as a formality when I don't have a computer handy. All copilots should be aviation lawyers too.

 

[Coastin]

Here is where I have been filing my complaints. I dont know if it does any good but at least its an outlet for your frustration.


http://www.afss.com/feedback/

 

[Dustin H]

I've noticed the same thing so I just started using http://www.globalair.com/ to file now.

 

[Headwind]

Don't use them much. Seems that if and when they answer, service is OK. Sometimes they just don't answer. If you are going to fly wou need a computer.

 

[pilotpat]

FSS?? What's that? Oh, the guys who don't give you NOTAM's properly. Can't tell you how many times that's happened to me lately. So...now everything we use is pretty much exclusive to fltplan.com or mygdc.com (for int'l) We even have our OpSpecs authorizing fltplan's weather. As for NOTAM's...I look them all up and rely on no one but myself to review them. I guess I don't trust anyone on a phone line any longer. Too bad.

 

[Bjetset2]

Flight Watch

Not much luck on Flight Watch frequencies either. Tried to get them to look at a Nexrad picture the other night and he couldn't get the computer to work. Second such experience in two weeks, both with KC Flight Watch. I reported it to the FAA Safety System. The AFSS system has really gone downhill IMO.

Fly safe all...

 

[aufan]

Along with holding forever and their computer always messing up, I was told (by a briefer) I might as well go to DUATS to get my info on TFR..he said their computer system doesnt show TFR so they have to go to a laptop in order to get the info.....whats the point to call at all?

 

[svcta]

whats the point to call at all?

Maybe that's what they're after.

 

[byrmar]

I called the other morning. Sat on hold for 15 minutes before I sat the phone down and went to the hangar to get the plane ready. I came back about 30 minutes later and was still on hold.

 

[festus89]

We have to wait on them for clearances flying out of our uncontrolled field when the weather sucks. Held short for 20 mins the other day with 2 cell phones on hold. First one to get a clearance wins.

 

[Galaxy]

We have to wait on them for clearances flying out of our uncontrolled field when the weather sucks. Held short for 20 mins the other day with 2 cell phones on hold. First one to get a clearance wins.

I usually find the direct number for the controller (center) to get ground clearances. You will wait forever on the ground on hold for FSS.

 

[LJ45]

there is something about this in one of the publications I got recently.

FYI...I haven't spoke to FSS in years. Duats all the way!

 

[flyin'gator]

i filed ifr with gainesville fss this morning, the briefer had to leave the phone to answer radions twice. she said there were 4 people total staffing the site. what a joke...privitization, the faa, ineptitude is all the same.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

i filed ifr with gainesville fss this morning, the briefer had to leave the phone to answer radions twice. she said there were 4 people total staffing the site. what a joke...privitization, the faa, ineptitude is all the same.

One of the things I won't miss leaving 135 to go back to 121.... let the dispatchers deal with that BS. Neither pays enough for me to deal with it.... 91... well then maybe we'll talk

 

[DrProc]

I usually find the direct number for the controller (center) to get ground clearances. You will wait forever on the ground on hold for FSS.

I tried calling Minneapolis center directly for a clearence the other day, and they said they are no longer authorized to do that, and that I would have to go through FSS. The controller on the phone agreed that it was stupid, but there was nothing he could do.

 

[RedGuy]

I have been sitting on hold for 15-30 minutes regularly. It's really frustrating! Duats isn't usually an option for me since quite often I'm filing away from home, and the airports don't always have a computer they'll let you use. Look how bad privatizing FSS have scewed that up, can you imagine what would happen if they privatize ATC! BTW I also suspect they're intentionally under staffing to push more of us to use Duats or what ever, which is wrong and NOT what they where brought in for. So much for all the wonderful promises we got!

 

[Americam]

I'm on the phone with AFSS daily... haven't had to wait more than 1-2 minutes...However, I'm in a much less populated portion of the country.