By Richard Riggs, PASS National T-SAP Representative
The Technical Operations Safety Action Program (T-SAP) is now a national program. If the fundamental concepts of a voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for the open reporting of safety concerns are adhered to, PASS is absolutely convinced T-SAP has significantly improved National Airspace System (NAS) safety for the employees we represent, and will continue to do so.
On April 1, PASS National Vice President Rich Casey participated in a collaboration panel at the Air Traffic Control Facilities/Engineering Services (ATCF/ES) managers’ forum. He was joined by ATCF Director Jodi McCarthy and NATCA Region X Vice President Mike MacDonald. The panel, which took place on the second day of the forum, was an opportunity to discuss the important role collaboration plays at the workplace with agency leaders.
By Kevin Van Haren, Engineering Services Academy Workgroup Representative
As a PASS union representative for Engineering Services in New England, I sometimes hear folks ask, “Why should I join the union? What can the union do for me?” Well, I have some pretty solid reasons for joining PASS from firsthand experience.
Last month, a debilitating computer virus affected more than 4,800 FAA employees’ laptops across the nation that are directly used to diagnose and repair National Airspace System (NAS) equipment. Due to the severity of the virus, the computers were taken completely offline, disabling employees from being able to access their emails and data off of the network. With no quick-fix solution in sight, all of the computers had to be removed for service and replaced completely.
Martha Burgoon Parish, an airspace system inspection pilot (ASIP) and the PASS Flight Inspection Services national representative, has always been very passionate about what she does and the career path she chose. As a lover of all things aviation related, she very much enjoys the opportunity to share her personal knowledge and experiences with others. For that reason, she regularly volunteers at career fairs and other community events to provide insight to young children and adults about the world of aviation.
Last week, Region I Assistant and International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronic Associations (IFATSEA) Director of the Americas Carlos Aguirre attended the ATM World Congress in Madrid, Spain. This gathering of leaders from the air traffic management, or ATM, industry is an important event organized by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) and the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA). Through an alliance with IFATSEA, PASS is allowed access to the international aviation community and the opportunity to provide important input.
