Sup everybody,
Lots going on around here, lots to keep you updated on. Special shout out to the D area for holding it down while I’m acting (like a) FACREP in Amy’s absence. I know it sucks to pull one more person off the schedule and I appreciate your understanding. Also, D area is now more than 100% NATCA because good ole OTH Tower is officially chartered as a NATCA Local.
Nick Daniels Visit
Several of you saw that Nick Daniels made a quick, impromptu visit to the facility yesterday. I’m glad many had the chance to speak with him and ask questions. He spent time talking with folks about pay and other topics, and mentioned how much he appreciates being able to connect directly. He enjoyed the visit enough that he’d like to return for a longer session with more time for discussion.
I’m planning to schedule two meetings a few months from now, one onsite and one offsite, to reach as many people as possible. If you have suggestions for how this should be structured or want to make sure you’re able to attend, let me know. I’ll do my best to accommodate requests. If anyone is interested in helping with planning, I’d appreciate the support.
Fatigue Rules
I think everyone knows the deal with how to sign in properly without violating the new (7 months old now) fatigue rules. With the previous rules, you would get a little red warning if you were about to sign in too early, that is no longer the case, you gotta keep track of the math yourself. The dumbest one of these violations is if you were on leave the swing shift before and flex the next day, it’ll flag as a violation if it’s 9.5 hours instead of 10. Please keep this in mind and have the supe edit your shifts if need be. The Agency has referred many of these issues to ProStan but I would not expect that to continue so please be cognizant of the fatigue rules when signing in.
RATS!
We have hired a falconer to come out and have the rats hunted. This should solve the problem relatively soon. Jkjk, but I did hear that idea and I think it is a good one. Maybe if Tech Ops doesn’t get it handled with pest control, we can pitch that idea. Please keep reporting the rats as you see them to mgmt or us, I can add them to the Unsafe Conditions Report (UCR) that I already filed. Tech Ops is said to be actively working on this issue.
Landscaping Update
As I previously updated, the Agency has hilariously signed a contract to begin in October for landscaping services. In the meantime, they are trying to patch together some landscaping and mowing until then. Apparently, we have to borrow S46’s mower, so if you see someone with an FAA badge riding a mower down I-5 give them some space and assume it’s for a good cause.
Real ID, Real Problems
Our trashman didn’t have Real ID so you might’ve seen the dumpster filling up a little. Apparently, this has also been corrected. The guards will be riding with the trashman back to the dumpster. Cool!
MOU Negotiations
We are still waiting to hear if the 6 hour shift is sticking around before we begin negotiations for 2026 MOUs. I am open to any ideas you have for changes you would like to see as well. Please share those with me or with your reps.
NCEPT Brief
Don’t forget about the NCEPT Briefing on 7/8 at 3pm. LINK HERE.
Grievances!
No new updates on the ones I previously mentioned, other than the Pickleball one is on its way to PAR. I’ll be headed to LA to tell a neutral that painting an already existing pickleball court is not defacing government property. Fun! I also filed 2 grievances today on messed up pay. Apparently, the DOI is struggling these days.
Have a good Fourth! Try to keep all of your fingers intact!
That’s it for now,
Drew