Flight Service Stations

[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.

 

[Galaxy]

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.

I haven't found that problem yet but if you are getting it from Minn Ctr then its coming across the board. Stupid thing about going through FSS is all they do is call the center and get the clearance for you. It just bypasses the middle man. Lockheed has done a bang up job huh?

 

[RedGuy]

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.

You FSS is probably still on the old system, just wait til they get switched over to FS21. Lansing wasn't too bad until they switched to FS21, since they have and the calls are routed through the system it's been HORRIBLE! I've actually been calling Flight service stations that are still on the old system dirct, I've been using Kankikee lately and they pick up within just a few seconds. But sooner than later that won't be an option as everybody will be on FS21.

 

[Limeyflyer]

FSS is awful lately, I gave up on them and just use Fltplan.com. As for departing uncontrolled fields, gonna have to start filling out vfr release forms or something to avoid the delays???

 

[I fLy pLaNeS]

Do any of the online services give Local NOTAMs?