FNO Preferred Routing System

[Mathew Magera 931028]

Greetings,

 

This post is in regards to the preferred routing system for the weekly FNO events. As of Friday April 10th, VATUSA will be discontinuing the preferred routings. There was much discussion about this at the recent events meetings and while there were comments on both side of the coin, I have ultimately made the decision to discontinue it. Items that moved me this direction include the ARTCCs inability to provide staffing (early on this was my fault, but a change of direction didn't seem to help much) and pilots not choosing to fly from the preferred departure airport. From January through mid-March, only about 19% of all FNO traffic used the preferred routes. This was an average, meaning while some routes saw more activity, others saw much less.

 

The preferred routings were only supposed to be a trial in order that we see traffic levels fixate on certain routes in exchange for a better chance of ATC. Apparently, this test has shown that pilots will choose to fly on their own where they choose.

 

So, all FNOs will continue to have preferred routes up through ZBWs event date on April 10th. After this event, there will be no routes posted. However, suggested departure airports in neighboring ARTCCs will be posted to encourage pilots to travel from or to a neighboring sector. I want to thank those ARTCCs who have participated in the preferred routing system thus far and those pilots who flew those routes. I'm sorry to have to suspend this system, but I feel it will be the best choice in the long run.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].