FSS Briefers... What is their problem?

CaptainMatt · August 14th, 2004, 18:49

I'm relatively new to flying and had to call upon FSS briefers on numerous occasions. Almost everytime I have dialed up that magic number (1800-wx-brief), I have been met by attitudes, rudeness, and a general dislike for life! It seems like these briefers hate their jobs or something. I don't mind that they do, but atleast hide your dissatisfaction for it. I understand that they have procedures they have to follow and that they have to say the same info over and over again countless times a day, but come on.

How I see it, Pilots safety is heavily in the hands of briefers. My first time calling an FSS briefer to get a weather brief, I was lectured for over 5 minutes why Notams are included in a Standard Briefing. Before making the call I was told to ask for a standard briefing and notams by my CFI. I also recall reading in numerous FAA publications that I should ask for a Standard briefing and also Notams, since a standard briefing doesn't neccesarily include notams. According to this briefer they do, oh well, It was a "nice" intro to the FAA! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

This whole subject of FSS employees has facisnated me. Are FSS briefers Air Traffic Controllers too but got the fun job of answering phone calls? Are they Meteorologists? or do they just read info? Why does it seem that Briefers feel that you are wasting their time when you don't file a flight plan?

I've also wondered why when you call up an FSS on the radio is takes minutes for them to respond. How does their system work?

sopdan · August 14th, 2004, 18:58

[ QUOTE ]
I've also wondered why when you call up an FSS on the radio is takes minutes for them to respond. How does their system work?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because they are the same people that you talk to on the phone, they might be busy, give 'em a break, they're not all jerks.

CaptainMatt · August 14th, 2004, 19:01

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've also wondered why when you call up an FSS on the radio is takes minutes for them to respond. How does their system work?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because they are the same people that you talk to on the phone, they might be busy, give 'em a break, they're not all jerks.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wasn't implying that they are all jerks, and I was more asking how their radio system works.... Like does it have some kind of relay or something...

Maybe you didn't read my post, I understand that they are busy and have to do a lot of things.

kellwolf · August 14th, 2004, 19:04

Odd. I was just commenting to my wife the other day when I was planning my trip to Memphis that every FSS briefer I talked to was super nice. Weather was kinda crappy through the panhandle (what else is new), so I was calling to get almost half-hourly updates. Had a couple even joke with me about the fact that I was gonna have a headwind the whole way up there.

Now, I have had a few times where I slammed the phone down wondering who p1ssed in the briefer's Cheerios that morning.

CaptainMatt · August 14th, 2004, 19:06

I think maybe its a Hawthorne FSS thing.. They prolly have to deal with traffic to get to work and then that have to take thousands of calls a day of stupid student pilots like me that know nothing.

JordanP · August 14th, 2004, 19:15

They're all different. Some of them want me to follow a specific sequence of information and some just tell me to go ahead with whatever. Most of them are nice but I have talked to a few anal ones. Maybe telling them you're a student pilot will make them a little more forgiving. I believe they are meteorologists, as they do look at radar images and analyze them for you, I could be wrong though. All and all I'm just thankful they're sitting there 24/7 as a free service.

jordan

mtsu_av8er · August 14th, 2004, 19:46

[ QUOTE ]

FSS Briefers... What is their problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

They are government employees. Enough said.

Ryan · August 14th, 2004, 19:47

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe telling them you're a student pilot will make them a little more forgiving

[/ QUOTE ]

yea I always say student pilot they seem to treat you a little more kindly. All in all I've never had any rude FSS people but then again I've only called them maybe 15 or so times.

Ryan

PeanuckleCRJ · August 14th, 2004, 20:28

I always make sure to say "ok, listen up stupid.. im going to read this one time...and im going to speak slowly, because i know you think slowly."

It really seems to make them treat you with the utmost care and respect.

sigmanu499 · August 14th, 2004, 21:45

From the times I have used FSS, most of the time they have been very nice and helpful. However, I have heard from several people about the local FSS(Hawthorne)becoming not so nice. Some say its because they are under alot of stress with the change to the Air Traffic Org. But if you are polite that helps alot too.

DE727UPS · August 14th, 2004, 23:14

FSS is not ATC, they are two different career tracks. It used to be that controllers who just could do the job could go into FSS, but they had to retrain at FSS school. FSS school was a lot more weather intensive than ATC school. Also, FSS guys don't make the money ATC does.

Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS.

CaptainMatt · August 14th, 2004, 23:32

[ QUOTE ]
FSS is not ATC, they are two different career tracks. It used to be that controllers who just could do the job could go into FSS, but they had to retrain at FSS school. FSS school was a lot more weather intensive than ATC school. Also, FSS guys don't make the money ATC does.

Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do they come from the same hiring pool? Like the CTI grads?

UAL747400 · August 15th, 2004, 00:09

I only call FSS on the radio to open a flight plan, I prefer to read about the weather and look at a bunch of radar displays online like at weather channel website, noah, local news site, and then read notams on duats.

Sometimes I talk to them if the weather is doing something different than what I read or what I "thought" I read. Or if the internet server I use is down.

Tom

DE727UPS · August 15th, 2004, 00:51

Well...I can't say for sure since the CTI program didn't exist when I went to the academy and worked for the FAA. I'd guess CTI is a controller thing. With all the consolidation with the FSS's over the years....they prolly don't have a problem filling the slots as they come available.

JHines · August 15th, 2004, 01:41

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was under the impression that the briefings are recorded. In the current atmosphere I like to call just so there is a tape of me asking "are there any TFRs" on my route.

tonyw · August 15th, 2004, 02:04

I know that the guys at Leesburg are sick of us VFR pilots filing ADIZ plans. Sometimes, they joke with me on a nice VFR day, yeah, I kind of figured you were filing a VFR ADIZ plan. I tell them, give me some time, I'll file IFR for you soon, and they laugh and help me out.

mtsu_av8er · August 15th, 2004, 02:11

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was under the impression that the briefings are recorded. In the current atmosphere I like to call just so there is a tape of me asking "are there any TFRs" on my route.

[/ QUOTE ]

DUATS sessions are recorded as well...

Windchill · August 15th, 2004, 03:08

Just recently I had to deal with a jerk at FSS . . . up until then everyone I had spoken with was professional, sometimes fun to talk with.

I flew down from MRB where I got a weather briefing and filed with Elkins FSS to HEF. I land in Manasses, and as I'm leaving the airport I remembered I filed a Search n Rescue Flt Plan as well as the ADIZ (I usually just file ADIZ when dest is in ADIZ) . . .

. . . anyhow, I have my cell phone with me which has a DE area code, so 1800WXBRIEF dials up Millville FSS in NJ. I have looked in the A/FD and for the FSS stations it just lists the 1800WXBRIEF, no separate numbers for the different stations . . .

. . . anyways, I tell the guy I would like to close my flt plan, the tail number, and told him where I was, where I filed, and how I dialed him up before he looked and didn't see my flt plan . . .

then proceeded to get lectured on how I shouldn't be calling him, it's not just as simple as calling him to close it, that he has to send out a message, and so forth.

Very unprofessional about it.

RiddlePilot · August 15th, 2004, 03:27

I barely remember any jerk FSS folks...I really just don't care enough. I file my flightplan, get some weather, and get off the phone. I'm not looking for cheery people, just service. That said, there was one particularly cool briefer that stands out in my mind...

I was in GUP (Gallup, NM) getting ready to file VFR back to PRC. I called up FSS, told him I'd like to file VFR, and he responds with "VFR eh? Veeeeery suspicious..." and ends with a chuckle. Nice to see one of these guys with a sense of humor, especially in this security climate. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Mr_Creepy · August 15th, 2004, 09:29

[ QUOTE ]
I always make sure to say "ok, listen up stupid.. im going to read this one time...and im going to speak slowly, because i know you think slowly."

It really seems to make them treat you with the utmost care and respect.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL I bet this gets a great response!

If one starts giving me an attitude I usually apologize, like this: "I'm sorry sir, did I say something wrong?" They usually turn very polite after that. I've got to know some of them by voice and many of them recognize my name. One is St. Pete always asks how my "Cousin Tommy Tenney" is doing. Tommy is no relation, but he is a well known Christian author (although he's a bit charismatic for my tastes.)

Treat them nicely and they usually return the favor.

MikeD · August 15th, 2004, 11:39

I just use FSS in order to be someone talking on Flight Watch, or to help them keep up their currency giving DF steers...... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

mtsu_av8er · August 15th, 2004, 13:54

.There was a really cool guy I used to talk to back at teh Raleigh FSS....around here, they're dillweeds (I guess they've been hanging around Memphis Center...) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Doug Taylor · August 15th, 2004, 14:04

You could probably say, "What's up with those darned {insert aviation job title}?"

August 14th, 2004, 18:49	#1
CaptainMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Space Shuttle Posts: 620	FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I'm relatively new to flying and had to call upon FSS briefers on numerous occasions. Almost everytime I have dialed up that magic number (1800-wx-brief), I have been met by attitudes, rudeness, and a general dislike for life! It seems like these briefers hate their jobs or something. I don't mind that they do, but atleast hide your dissatisfaction for it. I understand that they have procedures they have to follow and that they have to say the same info over and over again countless times a day, but come on. How I see it, Pilots safety is heavily in the hands of briefers. My first time calling an FSS briefer to get a weather brief, I was lectured for over 5 minutes why Notams are included in a Standard Briefing. Before making the call I was told to ask for a standard briefing and notams by my CFI. I also recall reading in numerous FAA publications that I should ask for a Standard briefing and also Notams, since a standard briefing doesn't neccesarily include notams. According to this briefer they do, oh well, It was a "nice" intro to the FAA! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] This whole subject of FSS employees has facisnated me. Are FSS briefers Air Traffic Controllers too but got the fun job of answering phone calls? Are they Meteorologists? or do they just read info? Why does it seem that Briefers feel that you are wasting their time when you don't file a flight plan? I've also wondered why when you call up an FSS on the radio is takes minutes for them to respond. How does their system work?

August 14th, 2004, 18:58	#2
sopdan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 626	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] I've also wondered why when you call up an FSS on the radio is takes minutes for them to respond. How does their system work? [/ QUOTE ] Because they are the same people that you talk to on the phone, they might be busy, give 'em a break, they're not all jerks.

August 14th, 2004, 19:01	#3
CaptainMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Space Shuttle Posts: 620	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I've also wondered why when you call up an FSS on the radio is takes minutes for them to respond. How does their system work? [/ QUOTE ] Because they are the same people that you talk to on the phone, they might be busy, give 'em a break, they're not all jerks. [/ QUOTE ] I wasn't implying that they are all jerks, and I was more asking how their radio system works.... Like does it have some kind of relay or something... Maybe you didn't read my post, I understand that they are busy and have to do a lot of things.

August 14th, 2004, 19:04	#4
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,252	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? Odd. I was just commenting to my wife the other day when I was planning my trip to Memphis that every FSS briefer I talked to was super nice. Weather was kinda crappy through the panhandle (what else is new), so I was calling to get almost half-hourly updates. Had a couple even joke with me about the fact that I was gonna have a headwind the whole way up there. Now, I have had a few times where I slammed the phone down wondering who p1ssed in the briefer's Cheerios that morning.

August 14th, 2004, 19:06	#5
CaptainMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Space Shuttle Posts: 620	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I think maybe its a Hawthorne FSS thing.. They prolly have to deal with traffic to get to work and then that have to take thousands of calls a day of stupid student pilots like me that know nothing.

August 14th, 2004, 19:15	#6
JordanP Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 47	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? They're all different. Some of them want me to follow a specific sequence of information and some just tell me to go ahead with whatever. Most of them are nice but I have talked to a few anal ones. Maybe telling them you're a student pilot will make them a little more forgiving. I believe they are meteorologists, as they do look at radar images and analyze them for you, I could be wrong though. All and all I'm just thankful they're sitting there 24/7 as a free service. jordan

August 14th, 2004, 19:46	#7
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,403	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [/ QUOTE ] They are government employees. Enough said.

August 14th, 2004, 19:47	#8
Ryan Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: KFRG, Nu\' yark Posts: 234	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] Maybe telling them you're a student pilot will make them a little more forgiving [/ QUOTE ] yea I always say student pilot they seem to treat you a little more kindly. All in all I've never had any rude FSS people but then again I've only called them maybe 15 or so times. Ryan

August 14th, 2004, 20:28	#9
PeanuckleCRJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Where everybody's somebody Posts: 599	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I always make sure to say "ok, listen up stupid.. im going to read this one time...and im going to speak slowly, because i know you think slowly." It really seems to make them treat you with the utmost care and respect.

August 14th, 2004, 21:45	#10
sigmanu499 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 232	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? From the times I have used FSS, most of the time they have been very nice and helpful. However, I have heard from several people about the local FSS(Hawthorne)becoming not so nice. Some say its because they are under alot of stress with the change to the Air Traffic Org. But if you are polite that helps alot too.

August 14th, 2004, 23:14	#11
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,482	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? FSS is not ATC, they are two different career tracks. It used to be that controllers who just could do the job could go into FSS, but they had to retrain at FSS school. FSS school was a lot more weather intensive than ATC school. Also, FSS guys don't make the money ATC does. Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS.

August 14th, 2004, 23:32	#12
CaptainMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Space Shuttle Posts: 620	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] FSS is not ATC, they are two different career tracks. It used to be that controllers who just could do the job could go into FSS, but they had to retrain at FSS school. FSS school was a lot more weather intensive than ATC school. Also, FSS guys don't make the money ATC does. Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS. [/ QUOTE ] Do they come from the same hiring pool? Like the CTI grads?

August 15th, 2004, 00:09	#13
UAL747400 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND (UND)/ Davenport, IA Posts: 2,204	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I only call FSS on the radio to open a flight plan, I prefer to read about the weather and look at a bunch of radar displays online like at weather channel website, noah, local news site, and then read notams on duats. Sometimes I talk to them if the weather is doing something different than what I read or what I "thought" I read. Or if the internet server I use is down. Tom

August 15th, 2004, 00:51	#14
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,482	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? Well...I can't say for sure since the CTI program didn't exist when I went to the academy and worked for the FAA. I'd guess CTI is a controller thing. With all the consolidation with the FSS's over the years....they prolly don't have a problem filling the slots as they come available.

August 15th, 2004, 01:41	#15
JHines Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: SC Posts: 292	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS. [/ QUOTE ] I was under the impression that the briefings are recorded. In the current atmosphere I like to call just so there is a tape of me asking "are there any TFRs" on my route.

August 15th, 2004, 02:04	#16
tonyw Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 15,165	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I know that the guys at Leesburg are sick of us VFR pilots filing ADIZ plans. Sometimes, they joke with me on a nice VFR day, yeah, I kind of figured you were filing a VFR ADIZ plan. I tell them, give me some time, I'll file IFR for you soon, and they laugh and help me out.

August 15th, 2004, 02:11	#17
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,403	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Personally, I've had enough bad experiences with FSS guys being a pain in the neck that I just don't talk to them anymore. You can find what you need to know via the internet and not bother with FSS. [/ QUOTE ] I was under the impression that the briefings are recorded. In the current atmosphere I like to call just so there is a tape of me asking "are there any TFRs" on my route. [/ QUOTE ] DUATS sessions are recorded as well...

August 15th, 2004, 03:08	#18
Windchill Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-Atlantic, KMRB Posts: 1,925	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? Just recently I had to deal with a jerk at FSS . . . up until then everyone I had spoken with was professional, sometimes fun to talk with. I flew down from MRB where I got a weather briefing and filed with Elkins FSS to HEF. I land in Manasses, and as I'm leaving the airport I remembered I filed a Search n Rescue Flt Plan as well as the ADIZ (I usually just file ADIZ when dest is in ADIZ) . . . . . . anyhow, I have my cell phone with me which has a DE area code, so 1800WXBRIEF dials up Millville FSS in NJ. I have looked in the A/FD and for the FSS stations it just lists the 1800WXBRIEF, no separate numbers for the different stations . . . . . . anyways, I tell the guy I would like to close my flt plan, the tail number, and told him where I was, where I filed, and how I dialed him up before he looked and didn't see my flt plan . . . then proceeded to get lectured on how I shouldn't be calling him, it's not just as simple as calling him to close it, that he has to send out a message, and so forth. Very unprofessional about it.

August 15th, 2004, 03:27	#19
RiddlePilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 928	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I barely remember any jerk FSS folks...I really just don't care enough. I file my flightplan, get some weather, and get off the phone. I'm not looking for cheery people, just service. That said, there was one particularly cool briefer that stands out in my mind... I was in GUP (Gallup, NM) getting ready to file VFR back to PRC. I called up FSS, told him I'd like to file VFR, and he responds with "VFR eh? Veeeeery suspicious..." and ends with a chuckle. Nice to see one of these guys with a sense of humor, especially in this security climate. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

August 15th, 2004, 09:29	#20
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? [ QUOTE ] I always make sure to say "ok, listen up stupid.. im going to read this one time...and im going to speak slowly, because i know you think slowly." It really seems to make them treat you with the utmost care and respect. [/ QUOTE ] LOL I bet this gets a great response! If one starts giving me an attitude I usually apologize, like this: "I'm sorry sir, did I say something wrong?" They usually turn very polite after that. I've got to know some of them by voice and many of them recognize my name. One is St. Pete always asks how my "Cousin Tommy Tenney" is doing. Tommy is no relation, but he is a well known Christian author (although he's a bit charismatic for my tastes.) Treat them nicely and they usually return the favor.

August 15th, 2004, 11:39	#21
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? I just use FSS in order to be someone talking on Flight Watch, or to help them keep up their currency giving DF steers...... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

August 15th, 2004, 13:54	#22
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,403	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? .There was a really cool guy I used to talk to back at teh Raleigh FSS....around here, they're dillweeds (I guess they've been hanging around Memphis Center...) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

August 15th, 2004, 14:04	#23
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,825 Blog Entries: 1	Re: FSS Briefers... What is their problem? You could probably say, "What's up with those darned {insert aviation job title}?"

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