Last month Pete wrote about the trouble we had getting a preflight briefing from New York Flight Service (ISP) as we were planning on departing FRG for our trip to Yellowstone. At that point we called the help line to let them know. When you call the help line, you leave a message for them, and they call you back. Well today I got my call back from Lockheed Martin (the FSS program's new owner).
The gentlemen apologized for the hold time, agreeing that 25 minutes was unacceptable. He explained that ISP FSS has not been transitioned to the FS21 system (www.afss.com) and that has meant severely reduced staffing while they prepare for the transition. He referred me to the web site which specifies a transition date of 11/5/07 for the ISP FSS. After that time, the calls will be routed down to the Washington hub.
I explained that they needed a non-800 number so that people could use their cell phones to call into the FS21 system now. When we were traveling, we had to rely on pay phones to get briefings, because if we dialed 800-WX-Brief, we'd be routed back to ISP FSS; not very useful when your standing in Wall, South Dakota! Of course, once ISP transitions, it will no longer be an issue because you'll be into the FS21 system.
Also, a trick I learned is, when filing or closing a flight plan you can say "any" when the computer prompts you for the state you're departing from. That makes for a shorter hold time. A few months ago ISP FSS thought I was missing because I hadn't closed my VFR flight plan... Unfortunately, I hadn't closed it because I was sitting on hold for 20 minutes!
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