No answer at Oakland FSS?

[Christopher Brian Colohan]

Before this evening's flight, I decided to give the Oakland FSS a call
to check for TFRs. So I dialed 1-800-WXBRIEF and got connected to the
Bridgeport FSS (presumably since my cell phone has a 617 area code
associated with it). The Bridgeport briefer was not able to tell me
about TFRs in California, but gave me the direct dial number for
Oakland: 866-469-7828.

Dialing that number doesn't work. It rings for a while, then it
answers with a background buzzing noise and silence. I have tried
calling from multiple phones, with the same effect.

Does anyone know what is up? Did their phone number change with the
Lockheed Martin transition, and they forgot to tell anyone?

Is there another reasonable way to check for last-minute TFRs before
flying? Should I just give them a call on the radio once I am already
flying, and waste the airtime having them tell me about TFRs over the
radio?

Chris

[Andrew Gideon]

On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:39:17 -0400, Christopher Brian Colohan wrote:

> Does anyone know what is up? Did their phone number change with the
> Lockheed Martin transition, and they forgot to tell anyone?

Don't forget the feedback line:
http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=9229

The Federal Aviation Administration has established a toll-free telephone
number for pilots to comment on services they receive from Lockheed
Martin flight service facilities.

The number is 1-888-FLT SRVC, or 1-888-358-7782.

Customer feedback from this line will be used by the FAA’s Air Traffic
Organization to make sure flight service stations operated by Lockheed
Martin meet agency standards. The information will be used by the agency
to better monitor and manage Lockheed Martin’s performance levels.

...

- Andrew

[Christopher Brian Colohan]

Andrew Gideon > writes:
> On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:39:17 -0400, Christopher Brian Colohan wrote:
>
> > Does anyone know what is up? Did their phone number change with the
> > Lockheed Martin transition, and they forgot to tell anyone?
>
> Don't forget the feedback line:
> http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=9229

I left them some feedback -- thanks!

Strangely, there is still no answer at Oakland today either. I guess
one way of killing FSS is to just unplug the phones...

Chris

[Michelle P]

Christopher Brian Colohan wrote:
> Before this evening's flight, I decided to give the Oakland FSS a call
> to check for TFRs. So I dialed 1-800-WXBRIEF and got connected to the
> Bridgeport FSS (presumably since my cell phone has a 617 area code
> associated with it). The Bridgeport briefer was not able to tell me
> about TFRs in California, but gave me the direct dial number for
> Oakland: 866-469-7828.
>
> Dialing that number doesn't work. It rings for a while, then it
> answers with a background buzzing noise and silence. I have tried
> calling from multiple phones, with the same effect.
>
> Does anyone know what is up? Did their phone number change with the
> Lockheed Martin transition, and they forgot to tell anyone?
>
> Is there another reasonable way to check for last-minute TFRs before
> flying? Should I just give them a call on the radio once I am already
> flying, and waste the airtime having them tell me about TFRs over the
> radio?
>
> Chris
We lost Boise FS last week. Bummer. They were great for getting fire TFRs.
Michelle

[Aluckyguess]

I tried to call the other day and no one answered, called back 15 min later
and they picked right up.
"Michelle P" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Christopher Brian Colohan wrote:
>> Before this evening's flight, I decided to give the Oakland FSS a call
>> to check for TFRs. So I dialed 1-800-WXBRIEF and got connected to the
>> Bridgeport FSS (presumably since my cell phone has a 617 area code
>> associated with it). The Bridgeport briefer was not able to tell me
>> about TFRs in California, but gave me the direct dial number for
>> Oakland: 866-469-7828.
>>
>> Dialing that number doesn't work. It rings for a while, then it
>> answers with a background buzzing noise and silence. I have tried
>> calling from multiple phones, with the same effect.
>>
>> Does anyone know what is up? Did their phone number change with the
>> Lockheed Martin transition, and they forgot to tell anyone?
>>
>> Is there another reasonable way to check for last-minute TFRs before
>> flying? Should I just give them a call on the radio once I am already
>> flying, and waste the airtime having them tell me about TFRs over the
>> radio?
>>
>> Chris
> We lost Boise FS last week. Bummer. They were great for getting fire TFRs.
> Michelle