flextodaline

Not to get into a p!ssing contest with you, but seriously, here's what I perceive. The FDX programmers (IT folks) are most likely the worst in the industry. This "small issue" was overlooked when they redesigned the PFC web page (what was also overlooked was beta testing this thing before it was released.....another "leadership/management" failure). Gripes came up about it. WM got a few emails from the FOB fan club, and here's how he responded. There was no preconceived notion to make it more difficult, just sheer incompetence and backpedaling. There is no "vision" to make it better, or to make things easier for us. This regime has only one thing in mind, how to save $$ on the backs of the pilots while putting on a sideshow of what they perceive as transparency.

Overnitefr8

I think the IT department wasn't/isn't given much guidance on how to change the webpages. Just like the new deviation airline ticket webpage. They weren't told by pilot types what was needed. I have submitted several PORs for that webpage. (I must say they have responded very quickly.) However, judging from their answers, they weren't given the guidance needed. Some of the responses have been that they didn't think of the particular issue I was complaining about, issues that any line holding pilot would have stated needed to be part of webpage.

olly

Concur. I have traded emails with kevin friers, from flight ops IT, and he clearly stated that he had no idea of all of the "requirements" and use cases pilots need for a system to replace tripmanager. I've written several pors, as well as several email to them, but they either: still don't get it, can't figure out how to make it work, don't care it works, have been resource constrained (limiting success), or directed to limit the scope, or "cease work".

busdriver12

Interesting. You know what would be refreshing? A little honesty. Not, "Here you guys go, we have this new and improved system that we made so much better, all for you! Now if you guys weren't so stupid and resistant to change, you would understand. Here, we'll try to slow things down for you."

Instead, how about, "Hey, we are getting rid of tripmanager because the program is expensive to maintain. We are going to try to build something cheaper and better. This is our initial attempt. Send us your comments on how to improve this, and we'll try to fix it." Of course it would have been easier if they had commuting pilots who have years of experience using trip manager to advise them in the first place. Yes, the actual users.

TonyC

The thing is, the PFC Home Page was not redesigned. It got a new logo in the banner. "Tools" became "Resources", and the direct link to Flight Plans was deliberately removed.

What DID occur that reflects the general incompetence you describe is that the code was upgraded to optimize modern browsers and work better on your mobile devices, but our GRID computers were not ready for the upgrade.

But the decision to hold our hands and lead us past another page before we can be trusted to get the Flight Plan and operate our multimillion dollar machines safely from point A to point B was calculated and deliberate. Our SCP thinks this is better.


If the ONLY goal is to save money, why are they spending ANY money to change the website? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The answer is the SCP thinks this is an improvement, and he thinks he can make it even better. He INTENDS the process of accessing the Flight Plan to be a multi-click prospect.
Then,

They're forcing you to look at "News" and "Blogs" and "Messages" on your way to the cockpit -- you cannot blame that on IT.

Oh, and be sure you're at the jet 20 minutes after show time.






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pinseeker

The fact that in recurrent training the class was told that this was going to happen to force us to look at the flight planning center home page suggests to me that this was not just an accident. A short time later, the shortcut to the FPR was removed from PFC. If you still think it was just an accident, then maybe I should ask that instructor to give me the Belmont trifecta picks.

TonyC

If you can go back to last Saturday, pick California Chrome, Ride On Curling, and Social Inclusion.


The Belmont Stakes, on the other hand ...






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PurpleTail

This was my personal favorite tidbit from yesterdays News and Announcements updates.....

In regards to the Air Stairs Strike in IND....

NOTE: It is a shared responsibility between the Marshaller, Captain and Crew to ensure a gate is clear of obstructions (REF. FOM 6.75 and 6.77).

Whenever there is doubt regarding the safety of any maneuver, stop the aircraft and request clarification. Never assume that a gate is clear just because a Marshaller is taxing you in.

Looks to me the wingtip struck the stairs. Can you you see the wingtips from the cockpit of an MD10? I can't so I'm depending on the marshaller to be able to do his job.

The Walrus

If you look at the picture you can tell that the stairs are completely inside of the line, unless there is no line.

DLax85

......... +1