Originally Posted by
A300jetflyer
The GOC Flight Specialist, "Dispatchers", are our friends!
I spent 16 years of my 30+ years and counting in Flight Control/GOC. Prior to the formation of "GOC" our Flight Controllers were part of the Flight Department. Post formation they fall under CSSD, i.e. ground ops.
However, despite the above the primary mission of our "dispatchers" is SAFETY of FLIGHT. They have a responsibility to the company to make the system operate as efficiently as possible as long as safety is not compromised.
The system is designed as a check and balance system. The Service Recovery Specialist's primary mission is to protect, and move the packages. So as you can see the dispatcher will cooperate to make the system work as long as safety is not an issue.
Everyone in GOC holds an Aircraft Dispatchers Certificate. Even though FedEx is a Supplemental Air Carrier, and the dispatchers do not hold release authority, their certificates are still in jeopardy. Our local and regional FAA office have advised in the past that if in the case of an incident or accident investigation it became apparent that there was negligence on the part of the "dispatcher" then the FAA reserves the right to exam the qualifications of the person holding that certificate.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. GOC controllers have never questioned any decision that I have made including extra fuel or in the rare occasion that I have refused to fly that extra leg for fatigue, legality, etx. It's my experience that they have always been suportive and respectful of the Capt's authority. Schedulers on the other hand are only concerned about filling a seat / task. We still have the hammer though whether its in the field or in ops. However, just because a trip might be considered "tough" isnt justification to refuse it. IMHO