February 15th, 2025 New England Bi-Monthly Regional Update

Feb 15, 2025

From Jake Detwiler, NATCA New England Regional ARVP, ZBW

One of the most important tools to allow you to be safe and effective at doing your job every day is appropriate staffing. Annually, NATCA and the Agency negotiate staffing guideline numbers at the local level. These numbers are agreed to by both parties as what is necessary to run the operation. While staffing levels can change daily, it is imperative that we ensure all efforts are made to ensure that all efforts are made to operate the shift at the agreed-upon guideline numbers. We have developed a process to communicate with your FacReps and monitor shifts that are published or operated below guideline numbers in an effort to hold the agency accountable for staffing. If a shift is run below the guideline numbers, there should be extra attention given to the traffic volumes and other impacts of reduced staffing. It is worth emphasizing that guideline numbers are neither a product of just the Agency or NATCA, but a negotiated number… That means that there shouldn’t be a disagreement as the year progresses on whether a shift “really needs” that agreed-upon number of CPCs to run.

As the agency continues to rely heavily on CICs to support their operation, it is incumbent that when acting as a CIC you are aware of the staffing for your shift and subsequent shifts, and if you are aware of a shift staffed at unsatisfactory levels, to make efforts to fix the situation. If you are encountering challenges or consistent issues with running shifts below guidelines, please reach out to your FacRep and we will continue to hold the agency accountable to what they agreed to. Just like your radios, radars, NavAids, and equipment are vital tools to doing this job, adequate staffing plays a vital role in allowing you to do your job as safely and efficiently as possible.

From Ben Nutter, NATCA Air Safety Investigation Committee, BED

The NTSB conducts aviation investigations using the Party System. The Party System is a structured approach to accident investigations that allows technical experts from various organizations to assist in determining probable cause. The NTSB, an independent federal agency, leads the investigation, but because it lacks the resources and specific expertise for every aspect of aviation operations, it designates “parties” to participate in the fact-finding process. The NTSB may allow organizations with direct expertise or operational knowledge relevant to the accident (e.g., aircraft manufacturers, airlines, labor unions, and the FAA). Each invited party provides technical experts who contribute data, analysis, and insight within their field of expertise, but they must follow NTSB guidelines and cannot speculate on probable cause. The NTSB divides the investigation into specialized groups (e.g., Operations, ATC, Aircraft Systems, Human Factors, Meteorology, etc.), and each group is assigned subject matter experts from participating parties. While parties contribute factual findings, only the NTSB issues the final report and probable cause determination.

As a NATCA Air Safety Investigator (ASI), our role in the NTSB party system is to provide expert knowledge on ATC operations. In this role, we assist in analyzing ATC recordings, transcripts, radar data, and controller actions leading up to the accident. We provide expert knowledge on ATC procedures, phraseology, separation standards, and current FAA regulations. We help the NTSB assess controller workload, decision-making, and potential human factors affecting ATC operations. During investigations we participate in on-site fact-finding missions, reviewing facilities, equipment, and operational conditions at ATC facilities. We work within the NTSB Air Traffic Control Group, contributing to factual reports but without engaging in analysis or assigning blame. During investigations, ASIs do not represent the Controllers being interviewed but represent NATCA as a whole. At the conclusion of the Field Investigation, the ATC Group may provide safety improvement suggestions to the facility, these are preliminary suggestions the group believes could immediately improve safety. The NTSB solely determines the final probable cause and officially makes safety recommendations with the final report.

NATCA ASI’s presence during NTSB investigations ensures that controller perspectives and ATC operational realities are accurately represented in the investigation. Our insights can identify procedural, training, or systemic issues that could lead to safety improvements across the NAS.

For more information about NATCA’s ASI Committee, visit www.natca.org/asi.

From Shannon Lyman, NATCA Communications Committee, ZBW

With the rise of social media, it has become very easy to communicate not only with our friends and family but also with members of the general public. As government employees and NATCA members, we must be mindful of not only what we say, but also how we portray ourselves online, as it is a reflection of both our employer and our union.In light of recent events, we want to ensure our members are communicating online within the guidelines of social media rules set forth by both the FAA and NATCA.

First, members need to ensure they are not appearing to speak on behalf of the FAA. This is not just after an incident or an event that has occurred but at any time. Be mindful of the privacy settings of your social media profile you may be using to post or comment on public forums. If your profile denotes you as employed by the FAA and it is visible to anyone online, something you say could be misconstrued as speaking on behalf of your employer which may be subject to discipline.

Second, NATCA prohibits members from speaking to the media unless they are an elected representative or have been appointed to speak on behalf of the union and have gone through media training. While you may think you are just having an innocent conversation in the comments on a public forum, members of the media could see what you are posting and use that information, even without your knowledge.

Lastly, Ben just explained how NATCA’s ASI Committee works alongside the NTSB in their investigations into incidents and accidents. Please ensure you are sticking to facts distributed by the NTSB and not speculating about an accident or incident on a public forum. Inserting our personal opinions into their investigation may jeopardize this important working relationship and could prohibit NATCA from being part of future investigations.

Please check out the MOU between the FAA and NATCA regarding social media and also NATCA Constitution SRE-1 “Media Policy following an Accident”.

This is a very basic overview, so if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

From Jim Basford, NATCA New England Drug and Alcohol Rep, A90

Wow, what an eventful month for Controlled Chaos.

First, on February 7, we were joined by Tara Richard and Jes Leonard from Lifestance Health. They gave us a briefing about suicide risk factors and protective factors. They also gave some guidance about how to have a conversation with a friend you think may be at risk as a layperson. If you’d like to review their presentation, please contact your FacRep.

Another option if anyone is interested is QPR Training. If you use the code QPRO it will give you $10 off. QPR is analogous to CPR in that the training is designed for the average person to render “first aid” if you will to someone in crisis. The acronym stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. I took the training last month and found it helpful but just like CPR it may not be for everyone.

Then on February 11, we had a briefing from Dr. Ray the New England Regional Flight Surgeon. He discussed options for seeking mental health counseling with regard to our medicals. I would like to dive further into this and recap. First, let’s talk about reporting requirements. The order which covers ATCS medicals can be found here.

Chapter 1 Section 9 (e) covers reporting requirements for the ATCS.

Summarizing the order below:

You must Complete Form 8500-8, using MedXPress.
If you have a change in your health between periodic medical examinations, You must report the change to their FS as these changes may adversely impact public safety.
Informs the appropriate FS, as soon as he/she becomes aware of “The diagnosis of any condition or issuance of a prescription medication that may make him/her unable to meet the requirements for a medical clearance”, but in any event, prior to performing any safety-related duties (between AME exams).
Provides the FS with the results of all requested medical or mental health evaluations conducted, the results of any tests, treatments performed or visits to health professionals, before performing safety-related duties. Visits for counseling may be excluded unless:
(a) The visit was for, or related to, substance use disorder such as substance dependence, abuse, or misuse (includes alcohol); and/or any mental condition such as anxiety or depression. (See link below)
(b) Prescription medication(s) were prescribed or recommended, or
(c) A recommendation or referral for psychiatric and/or psychological consultation or treatment is made unless that referral is for counseling without a specific psychiatric diagnosis (e.g. marital counseling).

Thanks for sticking with me.

Last June, the FAA changed their guidance, allowing for regular clearances to be issued by AMEs for applicants with up to two of the following:

Unspecified anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Situational anxiety (also called adjustment disorder with anxiety)
Social Anxiety Disorder Depression
Unspecified depression
Postpartum depression
Situational depression* (also called adjustment disorder with depressed mood) *For Situational
Depression – AME can also use the Situational Depression Disposition Table.
Situational Anxiety and Depression (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) Other
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD);includes but is not limited to:
- Uncomplicated Bereavement
- Relationship distress with spouse or intimate partner
- Parent-Child relational problem
- and/or Phase of Life Problem (problems adjusting to major life transitions such as newly retired, getting married, empty-nest, new career, becoming a parent, etc.

There is a requirement to go over this form with the AME/RFS if you are diagnosed with up to two of the above conditions without medication. If you start therapy and are given a diagnosis for insurance any of the above conditions would require a call to medical and I assume they would go over the decision tool above.

The addition of medication would require starting the anti-depressant protocol. This process is pretty involved and if you feel you may need to take that path please reach out to AMAS, your FacRep, or any member of the Controlled Chaos team.

Things are changing and I am happy to see some movement on the front of controller mental health. I hope we keep pushing this trajectory. Thanks for reading.

Registration is open for NATCA’s 20th Biennial Convention in San Francisco, May 9-11, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis. This is where local delegates from all NATCA regions come together to vote on key issues and set the direction of our Union.

Early registration ensures the best pricing on all Convention events. Register today, and plan to arrive and be ready for business to begin at 8:30 a.m., Friday, May 9.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.natca.org/events/convention/

NATCA is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Archie League Medal of Safety Awards! Submit your peer(s) for a save that occurred at your facility between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025. Any member may nominate another member for an Archie League Medal of Safety Award.

For more information and to submit a nomination for here.

Help Us Celebrate Professionalism – Nominate a Deserving Peer Today!

Every day, air traffic controllers across the country set the standard for professionalism, teamwork, and leadership. Do you know someone who consistently inspires, motivates, and elevates those around them?

Don’t let their dedication go unnoticed! Nominate them for the 2025 NATCA National Professionalism Award. Nominations for members in good standing will be considered for the award. There is no limit to the amount of nominations for one individual.

Let’s recognize the best among us. The deadline to nominate is June 1, 2025. Don’t wait—submit your nomination today! Nominate now at natca.org/professionalismaward