FSS malfeasance

[Flyin_bryan]

Is the FSS briefer required to give their name/id/location if I ask them?

I recently read a AOPA article that pointed out the author was requesting the name and location of the FSS briefer they spoke with. They said it was a good practice because:

-the problems with Lockheed Martin Corporation not providing occasional mandated information about notams and TFRs.
-the "you get a briefer in south dakota when your flying in socal" problem, the only way to know which FSS you are talking to is to ask.
-covers pilots butt when he breaks a TFR or notam, you can provide FAA with the name and location of the briefer that did not provide you with such information.
-when your flight plan gets lost, you can call and complain and figure out what/who went wrong and let the FAA know.

On top of that, Thursday night the FAA NOTAM system went offline and FSS did not have NOTAMS for pilots. With all of the presidental TFRs and fire TFRs going around, this is a bad brew of circumstances that could lead to pilots losing their licenses. (side note there are presidnetal TFRs in phoenix and albuquerque on the 27th).

Additionally, fire TFRs present a senario where a VFR aircraft strays into an area of minmial smoke and fire. Without any visible warnings of smoke or fire on the ground, the aircraft may be unknowingly and dangerously operating in an area with multiple firefighting aircraft operations. This presesnts a serious colision hazard that could have been avoided had FSS given the pilot REQUIRED information regarding the safety of his flight.

Today I contacted FSS for a standard briefing, and afterwards requested the briefer provide me with their name/id/location. The briefer would not, even after asking four seperate times. I explained my request and the current circumstances, however the briefer would not answer my request. Instead, the breifer told me that she was not required to give such information and asked if I would like to speak with her manager. After asking her three times, she revealed she was located at the prescott FSS. I even explained I wasnt the FAA or regulating authority, just a pilot.

I declined to speak with the manager, as I had a flight with all sorts of weather to deal with. I informed her I would be contacting her manager after the flight.

Its ridiculous that Lockheed Martin Corporation will not take responibility for the information they provide over the phone. Gven the company's failure to provide accurate information to pilots, its only a matter of time before people start losing their licenses or die as a result of of such malfeasance.

Please comment and lemmie know what you think. I'm waiting to hear from you guys before I call the manager.

[PGT]

They have always stated what location they are at. The two times I didn't want to wait for my state I got Minnesota and Florida, they never had a problem giving that info out.

[bdhill1979]

I have a problem with FSS EVERY time I call them.

The most recent was trying to close an IFR flight plan. COuld not get center on the ground, nobody was answering on the RCO. Had to call on the phone. After fifteen minutes of the briefer telling us that we have no flight plan in the system (which is total BS since I had been on that IFR plan for the last two hours) I gave up and took off on our next leg. When I got high enough to get center I requested clearance for our next leg and he said unable due to an aircraft currently on the approach in that area. I told him that was me and FSS was screwing it up.

He called them morons over the air.

[surreal1221]

Yup, I wouldn't even bother asking them jack #### to be honest.

Get your weather online, and just call for an abbreviated briefing for TFR locations and if any MOAs are active along the route of flight at the time of call, or if any SUA is scheduled to be hot along the route of flight at the time of the call or while enroute.

LMT has no obligation to keep you safe, they really don't give a damn.