On Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:48:46 -0400, "Peter R."
wrote in :

Wasn't there a promise by Lockheed Martin that wait times would be one minute
or less?

Here's some information from a previous article:


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AVwebFlash Volume 12, Number 26b -- June 29, 2006
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AOPA LISTS PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192587)
When Lockheed took over the system, the company set its
performance standards high. AOPA this week provided details
(http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...60623afss.html) of
what kind of service you should be getting -- and said if you're
not getting it, you should report that via the feedback form on
the new Web portal. (After all, you paid for it.) According to
AOPA, the AFSS should answer your phone call within 20 seconds and
radio calls within 5 seconds. You must receive service from your
radio call within 15 seconds. PIREPs must be processed within 30
seconds and within 15 seconds if they are urgent. Briefers must
have knowledge of the unique weather conditions in your area.
Briefers must meet those standards whether it is a busy, clear
summer day or a slow, dreary day in winter, AOPA says.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192587
and, BTIZ' complaint: "after 10 rings the system disconnected," it's
becoming clear how a large corporation meets its 20-second maximum
phone hold time contractual obligation; just disconnect the phone line
before 20 seconds have elapsed.

And our government is none the wiser:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...fices/ato/aca/
Office of Competitive Sourcing
The Office of Competitive Sourcing conducts competitive sourcing
acquisitions on those commercial activities identified by the
agency for study. Our rigorous and disciplined approach considers
all stakeholders, what services to provide, and the safety and
security of the National Airspace System (NAS).

Through innovative competitive sourcing solutions the Office of
Competitive Sourcing ensures the FAA's delivery of efficient and
effective services to end-users. The office carries out these
activities under the guidelines of OMB Circular A-76 and the FAA's
Acquisition Management System (AMS).

AFSS A-76 Competition

And If you like the way large corporations serve the public, you're
going to love privatized ATC. :-(


but if you can get on here to complain, then you can also get he
http://www.afss.com/feedback/


Thank you for the link. However, considering that it is the FSS
contractor who will see your complaint, not an organization with
oversight responsibilities like the FAA nor AOPA, it might be better
directed he

If you use FSS services, tell us about it by taking our survey on
AOPA Online:
http://surveys.aopa.org/cgi-bin/qweb...cgi?idx=SP46SS


LOCKHEED MARTIN FLIGHT SERVICE WEB SITE GOES LIVE
Are you put on hold for several minutes when you call
800/WX-BRIEF? You shouldn't be. Are you getting detailed security
and weather briefings when you call? You should be. That's part of
Lockheed Martin's promise to pilots while it is modernizing the
FSS system, which it took over from the FAA on October 4 last
year. If those promises aren't being kept, you now have a way
to report service difficulties to Lockheed Martin--through its new
Web site ( http://www.afss.com ). The site provides pilots with a
means to report any difficulties they experience with flight
service, along with updates on the progress of the modernization,
known as FS21, and information for flight planning. "From the
beginning, AOPA demanded performance standards to hold Lockheed
Martin accountable for the commitments they made to serve pilots,"
said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs.
"We want to make sure the modernization is done right, and this
Web site allows pilots to report what services are and aren't
working for them." See AOPA Online
( http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...60623afss.html ).




NEXT FOR LOCKHEED, THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM?
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192588)
If Lockheed Martin proves successful with the AFSS transition,
will the airspace system be next? The company recently teamed up
with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to create the "Airport
of the Future (http://erau.edu/research/erau_research_park.html),"
a technology test bed at Daytona Beach International Airport. This
"teaching airport" will demonstrate how to provide more
comprehensive data to air traffic controllers, airport operators,
security officials and airline dispatchers. "We believe that a
strong transportation infrastructure is critical to our nation's
economic well-being and our citizens' way of life," Judy Marks,
president of Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security
Solutions, said last week

(http://sev.prnewswire.com/aerospace-...3062006-1.html)
at a briefing of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#192588