No Tolerance Rule

[Mark Dalforno]

It has becoming to my attention lately that controllers are logging onto positions that they are not rated for, not even SMT for :angry: . This is to all crewmember controllers and visiting controllers....

If you are caught by anyone (including the use of VATSIM Stats to catch you) on a position that you are not rated for or not SMT for, you will have your controlling privileges removed for an undisclosed amount of time being evaluated on a case-by-case basis by myself. This is a No Tolerance Policy...and will be in effect UFN.


Example: Joe Dumb decides that no one is around at 2am, he will log onto SFO_APP even though he is only rated for TWR and hasn’t even started APP training.....I wake up in the morning and check vatsim stats for my ARTCC over the previous night, hmmm Joe Dumb shouldn't have been on SFO_APP, I email Joe Dumb asking for a explanation, pretty much there is no good enough excuse and his controlling privileges inside ZOA will be removed for a certain amount of time, which comes from my judgment. If it becomes a repeat offending case, you will be removed from ZOA ARTCC and possibly subject to VATUSA punishment.

I am not trying to be a harsh ATM, I prefer being like one of the guys, but, this is not an issue I take lightly, thus, this is in effect from now 03/30/06 to UFN. Thank you for your cooperation, and if anyone sees someone on where they should not be, log the time, the name, and the position and send it to me in an email. Thank you again, happy controlling :D

[Greg Pfeil]

I have got a question? I have seemed to broken my mic and I was wondering if i could use text until i get a new one?

[Ethan Stein]

Originally posted by Greg Pfeil@Apr 7 2006, 08:16 PM
I have got a question? I have seemed to broken my mic and I was wondering if i could use text until i get a new one?
You are always allowed to use text. Although voice is now the preferred method of communication on VATSIM, you are never required to use it.

[mbarnette]

I see alot of times a controller logged on as SMT during peak hours. This is right out of the SOPs:

Self-Monitored Training (SMT) is when a controller is authorized by a mentor/instructor to work without supervision as outlined and restricted by policy, to practice and obtain experience in a particular position. Certain areas of the ARTCC will be allocated by policy for use in self-monitored training. Self-monitored training may be conducted by any student granted an SMT rating by an instructor or mentor, at any time during non-peak hours. PEAK HOURS are described as follows:

Monday-Thursday:
1800-2300 PST (6pm-11pm)


Friday:
1400-2300 PST (2pm-11pm)


Saturday & Sunday:
1200-2300 PST (12pm-11pm)


Any official (scheduled) ZOA event may not be worked SMT, regardless of time of day.

Students may not work an SMT position for more than 4 hours a day.

OTS and SMT training are the primary methods for gaining experience.




My 2 cents, which cannot get you a cup of coffee.

[Mike Fries]

Originally posted by mbarnette@Apr 11 2006, 04:54 PM
I see alot of times a controller logged on as SMT during peak hours. This is right out of the SOPs:

Self-Monitored Training (SMT) is when a controller is authorized by a mentor/instructor to work without supervision as outlined and restricted by policy, to practice and obtain experience in a particular position. Certain areas of the ARTCC will be allocated by policy for use in self-monitored training. Self-monitored training may be conducted by any student granted an SMT rating by an instructor or mentor, at any time during non-peak hours. PEAK HOURS are described as follows:

Monday-Thursday:
1800-2300 PST (6pm-11pm)


Friday:
1400-2300 PST (2pm-11pm)


Saturday & Sunday:
1200-2300 PST (12pm-11pm)


Any official (scheduled) ZOA event may not be worked SMT, regardless of time of day.

Students may not work an SMT position for more than 4 hours a day.

OTS and SMT training are the primary methods for gaining experience.




My 2 cents, which cannot get you a cup of coffee.
Please don't jump to conclusions, Almost all of our students are following the SMT hours put in place. Many times students have been given permission to work unsupervised during peak hours on a case by case basis, however if you are concerned with someone being on a position or if you see something that is becoming a habit please let a staff member know

[Inigo Markle-Allen]

Additionally S1s may work ALL Class D towers at any time after passing the ZOA SOP written, and Ground and Delivery at their assigned Class C Tower. Upon passing the tower test for their assigned Class C Tower, they may work everything up to tower at THAT assigned airport at any time. SMT hours don't come into play until you have someone at SFO, Oakland or San Jose, or approach positions and even then their instructor could have deleted the restrictions on a case-by-case basis.

[Greg Pfeil]

Alright so i got a question, lets say its late at night, and a person that has only passed there SMT and is allowed to work the SMT airport during the hours, are they allowed to work like Ground and Delivery at there airport at any time?

[Matt Chicoine]

To clear the air, I gave Greg SMT for SFO DEL only lastnight while I was on his freq. EH was monitoring as well until Greg couldnt get voice working and logged off.

[mbarnette]

Now, here is my dilema. I am a C-3 and I assume the role of shift supervisor most of the time that I log on. When I have a student that logs on and wants to work a position, how can I tell if the controller is allowed to work at OAK TWR if he is not certified to work the position, but the INS has told that individual that they can SMT that position during peak hours?

Usually, all I can do is ask if they are good to work the position and hope that somebody is not lying to me. I am not a mentor or INS, but I have been doing this long enough that I will "listen" to that individual and make sure that the controller is doing what they should be doing.

[Jim Thompson]

If a student has SMT for a specific field, the instructor or mentor should have updated their profile and it will be visible when you click on their name on the roster.

[mbarnette]

But it does not get updated that an INS lets a student SMT during peak hours. The SOP says that no SMT during peak hours, but I have had students say that their INS said they could. My INS did the same thing to me. But I have no way of knowing if a student can SMT during peak hours.

My 2 cents, we should drop the SMT during peak hours for anything TWR and below, but only my 2 cents. It gives the students a little trraffic while they are learning the ropes. Once again, just 2 cents.

[Inigo Markle-Allen]

Can you clarify what you mean here?


My 2 cents, we should drop the SMT during peak hours for anything TWR and below, but only my 2 cents. It gives the students a little trraffic while they are learning the ropes. Once again, just 2 cents.

[mbarnette]

I never liked the limit for a new student only being able to work a position during non-peak hours, by the SOP, and not each individual INS. A new student shows up, gets training, we give them the ok to work at SMF_TWR but only during non-peak hours. That student can not work during peak hours, when they are available and traffic is up. That student is new to the system but already frustrated because they cannot see any real traffic until they area able to work during a peak hour.

As an APP controller, if I have a restriction for SMT during no-peak hours, I can still work SFO TWR during peak hours. So, I always can move to where it is busy.

There are many different ways of allowing students to work where it is busy, I just hate seeing a student working at SJC TWR with no traffic, and I am working SFO APP doing all clearances, taxis, and landing and takeoff clearances.

My 2 cents.