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INTERCOMWILLIAM J. HUGHES TECHNICAL CENTER

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Volume 4, Issue 11 November 2001

AMASS RECORDS FIRST “SAVE”

The Airport Movement Area Safety System(AMASS) recorded its first "save" at San FranciscoInternational (SFO) Airport in late October. The inci-dent involved a departing business jet and an arrivingcommuter turboprop aircraft. The business jet hadtaxied into position for departure at an intersectionapproximately 6,000 feet down the runway. Thecommuter plane was in bound for the same runway.

Thanks to AMASS, as the commuter planeapproached the airport, bright green indicators, calledhold bars, illuminated on the ground radar display,indicating that the plane was headed inbound to therunway occupied by the business jet. Simultaneously,a text message appeared and a voice alert sounded,confirming the commuter's flight path. Controllersquickly instructed the commuter plane to execute amissed approach well before the runway and theninstructed the pilot to land on a parallel runway.David Caldwell, a controller from SFO and a former

AMASS technical representative, said that AMASS"gave the controllers the information they neededwith plenty of time to respond and take action."

AMASS, operationally tested and refined byACT-310's Jeff Livings, Dan Dellmyer, and ChuckDudas, visually and aurally prompts tower controllersto respond to situations that potentially compromisesafety. It extends and enhances the capability of theAirport Surface Detection Equipment Model 3(ASDE-3) radar by providing automated alerts andwarnings to potential runway incursions and otherhazards.

The ASDE-3 radar provides air traffic controllerswith a video display of all vehicles and obstacles onan airport's runways and taxiways. It aids controllersin the orderly movement of aircraft and ground vehi-cles on the airport surface, especially during periodsof low visibility such as rain, fog, and night opera-tions. The AMASS system works by processing sur-

veillance data from theASDE-3, the airport sur-veillance radar (ASR-9),and the terminal automationsystem. It then determinesconflicts based on the posi-tion, velocity and accelera-tion of airborne arrival air-craft with ground-based air-craft and vehicles and alertscontrollers to a potentiallyhazardous situation on theactive arrival runway.

In July 2000, Jeff, Dan,and Chuck coordinated andcarried out with the help ofthe ACT-370 test pilots asuccessful flight demonstra-

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AMASS (CONT.)

OPEN SEASON FIND.FAA.GOV

tion of the AMASS system at SFO and Detroit.These flight demonstrations tested the AMASS alertparameters and gave controllers the confidence to usethe AMASS system. The most challenging job forACT-310 was to analyze months of AMASS data anddevelop an AMASS alert parameter set, which wouldprovide an additional safety margin without causingnuisance alerts. This parameter set was accepted bythe AMASS Air Traffic working group and is now thestandard parameter set to be used at all 33 AMASSequipped airports.

The AMASS system is currently operational atthree international airports: San Francisco, Detroit,and Los Angeles. The system will be deployed to 30additional busy airports by the end of next year, aspart of the FAA's ongoing commitment to improverunway safety.

Do you know that the Federal Employees HealthBenefits (FEHB) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) openseasons are drawing near? Do you want to makechanges to FEHB and TSP in the fastest, most effi-cient way possible?

Then using Employee Express (EE) is the way togo! EE is accessible at: www.employeeexpress.gov.

From work: 478-757-3084From home: 1-800-827-6289

TDD from work: 478-757-3117TDD from home: 1-888-880-0412

EE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Lost your PIN, call the EE Help Desk at 478-757-3030. For more information on using EmployeeExpress, please contact your servicing HumanResource Management Office.

You can now find the address,organization, and phone number ofFAA employees on-line athttp://find.faa.gov. You can also

access the directory from the FAA Intranet homepage(Telephone Directory). This directory is searchableby name, organization, routing symbol, facility type,or phone number. It includes all employees inWashington, regional, and center headquarters, aswell as managers at field facilities and internationaloffices.

Each organization has a designated directory rep-resentative responsible for the organizations' informa-tion. The Tech Center representative is LindaTropiano, so, if you find information that is incorrect,please notify Linda.

Dan Dellmyer (sitting) and Jeff Livings.(Chuck Dudas is not pictured.)

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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The ARA Management Teamrecently presented Dan McGovern(ACT-230) with this year's ARAKen Byram Memorial Award, rec-ognizing him as one of FAA's bestand brightest and a role model forall employees.

This award is given to ARAemployees who consistently dis-play the characteristics that madeKen Byram such an effectivechange agent. Criteria for theaward includes: accomplishingeach mission with intelligence,integrity, humility, trust, andhumor; being honest about theissues and sharing lessons learned;asking the tough questions to get atdifficult issues; and working withpeople, not positions, to do what-ever it takes to resolve issues.

Dan more than deserves thisyear's award. He began his FAAcareer 27 years ago as a co-op inthe Air Traffic Control SimulationFacility. In 1980, he began work-ing in the Software group on theAAS project. From 1987 - 1993he played a key role as the Deputy

to the Automated En Route ATC(AERA) Program Manager.During this time, that programwon a Popular Science Award forbeing one of the 100 "Best ofWhat's New in Science andTechnology."

He later worked at theOceanic Development Facility asthe Tech Center's Lead for OceanicAir Traffic Control. When theDisplay Channel Complex Rehost(DCCR) Program Office Directorbecame seriously ill, DanMcGovern stepped in and hisstrong leadership abilities allowedhim to steer the team along a firm-ly laid foundation. What-if scenar-ios were developed to acceleratethe deployment schedule usingthree concurrent levels of testing.This was a novel approach at atime when the AcquisitionManagement System was in itsinfancy. The associated risks weredocumented and mitigated. As aresult, the DCCR program finished8 months ahead of schedule andsignificantly under budget.

From its inception in 1998,Daniel McGovern has served asthe Lead of the Display SystemReplacement (DSR) In ServiceManagement Team. This uniqueorganization is composed of bothACT and AOS personnel, and isresponsible for deploying andmaintaining the En Route DSR AirTraffic Control System.

Dan's role on the team is two-fold. He is responsible for secondlevel maintenance of the DSR sys-

tem, which is operational at 20 EnRoute Air Traffic Control Centers,and is the supervisor of the ACT-231 team members.

Dan's teammates report that hehas an uncanny ability to dedicatehimself to the health and integrityof the DSR system, while simulta-neously displaying compassion andinterest in the lives, careers, andfamilies of his teammates. He hasunique abilities to focus on thetask at hand and to overcome thecultural differences between vary-ing organizations within the FAA.

He has a keen sense of theagency's mission and knows howto achieve agency goals. In meet-ings, such as the weekly CriticalThread Review, he always asks theright questions to get to the core ofthe issue. The strength of his lead-ership lies in his ability to stayinformed, make decisions, andempower his team to execute thosedecisions. While managing all ofthe complex problems that arise inthe DSR system, consisting ofapproximately 600,000 lines ofcode, Dan manages to lead theteam in the constant pursuit ofprocess improvement. In hisworld, technical issues, improve-ments in team communication, andoverall process improvements areall highly valued.

Perhaps, Dan's success is par-tially the result of his keen wit andsense of humor. If you are anexpert in software development, inDan's vocabulary, you're a "soft-ware weenie." His many phrases,

KEN BYRAM MEMORIAL AWARDPRESENTED TO DAN MCGOVERN

Continued on page 9

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE CENTERSecretary’s Awards: Secretary ofTransportation Mineta recentlypresented awards to two TechCenter employees at his annualem-ployee recognition ceremony.He recognized Dr. RichardLareau, a research chemist inAAR-520, for his work in organiz-ing a coalition of governmentagencies that are pursuing new andcutting edge technologies. Thatwork includes developing theessential technical groundwork inthe very promising nanotechnologyfield, as well as work on microelectro mechanical machines.

The Secretary also recognizedRosanne Weiss, a mathematicianin AAR-424, for her commitmentand dedication to the principlesand objectives of Equal Employ-ment Opportunity. Ms. Weissmade several well-received presen-tations on Model Work Environ-ment issues, sat on various civilrights panels, and regularly worksto promote the principles of EqualEmployment Opportunity.

Academic Achievement: Therese Brennan (AAR-540),Patty Reichenbach (AAR-530),and John Tye (AAR-520)successfully completed all therequired courses to earn a Master'sCertificate in Project Managementfrom George WashingtonUniversity.

AAR-500 Welcomes NewEmployees: Varrick J. Smith is AAR-510’s newest employee. InMay, he received a B.S. from Tennessee State University in Aeronautical and Industrial Tech-nology, with an emphasis in

Industrial Engineering. He beganhis FAA career as an intern in theCrashworthiness Program (AAR-431) during the summer of 2001.On October 9, he joined WalterWall's team in Systems Integra-tion, as a member of the HumanFactors Program.

AAR-510 also welcomesMark Torbeck. Mark was raisedin Chicago, IL, and received hisundergraduate degree fromSouthern Illinois University in1973. In 1976 he graduated fromKeeler Institute in Chicago,becoming a licensed polygraphexaminer. From 1975 to 1989, hewas one of two principal owners ofG.S. Torbeck, Inc., a security firmspecializing in polygraph investi-gations and security consulting. In 1989, the original MidwayAirlines hired him into the corpo-rate security department. In 1995,the new Midway Airlines hiredhim as the Director of CorporateSecurity. While at Midway, in1996, he served as one of twoRegional Airline Association repre-sentatives to the FAA’s BaselineWorking Group, and then, from1997 to October of this year, as theassociation's core member to theFAA’s Security EquipmentIntegrated Product Team.

Security Partnerships : In aneffort to save time, money,resources, and redundancy in test-ing between government agenciesJoe Kunkle (AAR-540) developeda memorandum of understanding(MOU) between the FederalBureau of Investigation (FBI)Explosives Unit and AAR-500.

This MOU serves as a vehicle forjoint research, development, test,and evaluation of security tech-nologies and security projects. Joealso arranged a memorandum ofagreement (MOA) between the FBI Explosives Unit and AAR-500for the United State's ExplosiveMaterials Collection Project,which includes multiple foreignlaw enforcement and intelligenceagencies.

Labs Retain Top InternationalQuality Rating: The LaboratoryManagement Division is proud toannounce that its Quality Manage-ment System has been evaluated,and it is retaining its certified ISO9001:94 status.

Registration to ISO 9001 is acontinuous process. After initialcertification, maintaining certifica-tion to the standard requires sur-veillance audits to be conductedevery six months. The partialaudits are conducted to ensure thata quality system is maintainingcompliance with the requirementsof ISO 9001, and so managers candemonstrate positive progresstoward improvement.

The audit found no areas ofnoncompliance, and found markedimprovement in the division's con-tracting and purchasing proce-dures, and strong support for ISO9001 by management and staff.The audit also found the division'sinternal audits to be in depth, ontime, and successful in assuringthe effectiveness of the system, asthey are conducted independently.

The next surveillance auditwill be conducted in May 2002.

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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A Shock For Your Life

Consider these features: it issmall, it is user friendly, it comeswith its own convenient carryingcase, and in an emergency it willgive you the shock of your life.Actually, it's more accurate to saythat you will receive a shock foryour life.

What are we speaking of?The answer is an AutomatedExternal Defibrillator or morecommonly known as an AED. AnAED is a portable lightweightdevice that provides a means for abroader range of people to respondto and provide lifesaving technolo-gy to someone who is experiencinga heart attack. If you haven'tnoticed already, we wish to pointout that there are now AED's locat-ed near each elevator and at vari-ous locations throughout the TechCenter. The devices are housed ina white box, known as a HeartStation Box, that is mounted on awall or column.

With the deployment of AED'sthroughout the Center it is impor-tant to heighten your awareness ofthe devices and the Heart StationBoxes. Therefore, we have high-lighted key features of both below:

AEDs

· To use an AED you must be trained. Training is ongoing and is conducted by the Safety Office. Individuals trained will

receive a certificate by the American Heart Association in CPR and AED use.

· The AED is secured in a Red Carrying Case that includes 2 sets of pads and easy to follow instructions.

· Once the AED is turned on and pads applied to the victim the device will analyze the victim and advise what you should do next.

· The AED is powered by a lithi-um battery that is good for 5 years.

Heart Stations

· Heart Station Boxes are equipped with an alarm. When the door is opened the alarm will sound notifying other per-sonnel in the area that the device is being used.

· The alarm is operated by a 9-volt battery. When the battery runs down it will begin to beep.If you hear a beeping sound coming from the box, you should call the Safety Office, x6360 to have the battery replaced.

· The key to shut off the alarm is inside the box. Insert the key in

the key slot located at the top ofthe box and turn it into an upright position.

· The Heart Station Box is stocked with related accessoriesto perform CPR or to prep the victim for the AED to be used.

· The number to call in case of anemergency and the number to the Safety Office are located on the side of the Heart Station Box.

We hope this information notonly heightens your awareness, butalso increases your interest in theAED. The AED Program is a vol-unteer effort to improve theCenter's ability to respond to a life-threatening emergency.

The device can only save alife if you are willing to learn howto use it! Therefore, the moreemployees who learn how to usethe device the better. For moreinformation about the AED andHeart Station Boxes or to becometrained in the use of the AED, con-tact the Safety Office (ACT-640) atx6360.

A SAFETY MINUTEFROM THE SECURITY OFFICE

ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH (ACT-640)

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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NAVAL AIR STATION WILDWOOD FLY-IN

Naval Air Station Wildwoodhosted its 5th Annual FlyIn &Pancake Breakfast in mid-August.This year's event, dubbed "AirFest2001" proved a great success withnearly 3,200 in attendance. Thisyear featured a large number ofattractions. With nearly 100exhibitors and vendors, historicHangar #1 had something foreveryone.

As in the past, the Tech Centersponsored a Community Outreach/Aviation Education booth, whichwas staffed by Carleen Genna-Stoltzfus (ACT-70), Keith Biehl(ACT-370), Dot Buckanin (ACT-300), Rosanne Weiss (AAR-424),Barbara H. Para (ACT-510), andCharleen Biehl (Keith's wife).

Air Bear entertained the crowds,young and old.

The Tech Center representa-tives had a busy day as visitorsstopped by the booth to discussaviation careers, history, and tofind out more about the Center.Keith and Dot fielded a lot ofquestions about the King Air air-craft on display. Special thanks toWackenhut employees Jim Adamsand Joe Burns who helped set upthe displays and glidder aircraft.

Throughout the day, the mainarea of the hangar abounded withaction as visitors enjoyed the many

displays by community organiza-tions and vendors. Bob Ferris'orchestra, called "SwingTimers,"performed throughout the after-noon. Robert Polillo, (HiTecSystems) along with Mary JaneMorey and Elaine King providedgreat entertainment for the crowdas well. Naturally, the tunes were from the 30's & 40's with a coupleof great dancers providing enter-tainment for all!

The Naval Air StationWildwood Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose missionis to restore Hangar #1 at the CapeMay County Airport, LowerTownship, New Jersey, into an air-craft museum honoring the 38Naval airmen who perished whiletraining there during World War II.Hangar #1 was listed onto theNational Register of HistoricPlaces September, 1997.

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

WORKING TO IMPROVE AVIATION SECURITY

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In theaftermathof the hor-rific eventsof Septem-ber 11, theaviationsecurityresearchand devel-

opment (R&D) program (AAR-500) has dramatically increasedefforts to determine what securitytechnologies are worthy of acceler-ated development and deployment.

AAR-500 is receiving sugges-tions for new and improved securi-ty technologies from a wide vari-ety of sources, including privatecitizens, major companies, smallbusinesses, other governmentagencies, such as NASA and theDepartment of Transportation'sVolpe National TransportationCenter, as well as various nationallaboratories such as Sandia, IdahoNational Environment andEngineering Lab, and Oakridge.Universities are also sending inideas or projects they have beenworking on that may have securityapplications. In addition, FAAorganizations, such as the CivilAeromedical Institute (CAMI),various air traffic and air naviga-tion organizations, and the Officeof Civil Aviation Security (ACS)are also making recommendations.

AAR-500 has created a seriesof evaluation criteria to guideassessments of these ideas and pro-posals to determine if the projectswill have a high payoff, have tech-

nical credibility,and if they needto be re-assessedin light of thecurrent height-ened securityneeds. Oneexample of thislast criterionwould be the x-ray backscatterpersonnelscreening system. These systemsare capable of seeing beneathclothing and would raise privacyissues. However, they do find hid-den objects and are currently usedby U.S. Customs under a differentset of criteria.

To facilitate evaluation of themany proposals, the AAR-500Aviation Security Team groupedthe technologies into descriptivecategories: passenger/carry-onprocessing; checked baggage andcargo/mail; airport intrusion con-trol; human factors; systems inte-gration; and threats, vulnerabilitiesand risk.

The first three categories rep-resent possible ways of introducingthreat objects on board aircraft.The human factors program cutsacross all research activities. The

goal of systems integration is toensure that equipment not onlymeets specifications, but also func-tions operationally in the airportenvironment. The last categoryincludes an assessment of new andemerging threats and vulnerabili-ties.

To date, AAR-500 hasreceived 152 recommendations forpassenger/carry-on processing; 79recommendations for checked bag-gage; 70 for cargo/mail; 93 for air-port intrusion control; 138 humanfactors proposals; 46 for systemsintegration; and 46 for threats, vul-nerabilities, and risks. In somecases, suggestions appear in morethan one category. Recommenda-tions continue to come in and arebeing evaluated as quickly as pos-sible.

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

HEADQUARTERS HEADLINES

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Busick Named to Head Office ofCivil Aviation Security: Admin-istrator Garvey has named retiredRear Admiral Paul E. Busick toassume the responsibilities of theAssociate Administrator for CivilAviation Security.

Busick is an aviator who hascommanded the Coast Guard Air Station in San Francisco, CA, andthe Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL. He has served asdeputy chief of the office of law enforcement and defense opera-tions, U. S. Coast Guard Headquarters. Following his pro-motion to rear admiral, he was appointed director of theDepartment of Transportation'sOffice of Intelligence and Securitywhere he served as the Secretary's national security advisor with poli-cy responsibility for security measures in all modes of trans-portation. In 1996, he joined the National Security Council as a spe-cial assistant to the president and senior director for Gulf WarIllnesses. Busick left active service in June 1998.

In October 1998, NorthCarolina Gov. James B. Hunt Jr.,named Busick president and exec-utive director of the state's Global TransPark Authority, a businesscenter supporting companies involved in national and interna-tional commerce. Busick was appointed to a presidential over-sight board for certain Department of Defense investigations in April2000.

Busick's military awardsinclude the Defense Distinguished

Service Medal, the Coast GuardDistinguished Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. He has alsoreceived the Department of Transportation's DistinguishedService Award and the FAA's Extraordinary Service Medal, itshighest accolade for contributions to civil aviation.

A native of Lindenhurst, NY,Busick is a graduate of the U.S.Coast Guard Academy. He holds amaster of science degree in industrial administration fromPurdue University and is a gradu-ate of the National War College inWashington, D.C. Busick is mar-ried to Sarah Mullikin of WestLafayette, IN, and has three sons-Paul Jr., Don, and Thomas.

Sabatini Named to Head Officeof Regulation and Certification.Administrator Garvey has appoint-ed Nicholas A. Sabatini asAssociate Administrator forRegulation and Certification.

Sabatini is responsible for thecertification, production approval,and continued airworthiness of air-craft; certification of pilots,mechanics, and others in safety-related positions; certification ofall operational and maintenanceenterprises in domestic civil avia-tion; development of regulations;civil flight operations; and the cer-tification and safety oversight ofsome 7,300 U.S. commercial air-lines and air operators. He willoversee a work force of approxi-mately 6,000 employees in theFAA's Washington Headquarters,nine regional offices, and more

than 125 field offices throughoutthe world. The FAA's annual regu-lation and certification budget ismore than $700 million.

Prior to this appointment,Sabatini served as the director ofthe FAA's Flight Standards Service. From 1990 until May2001, he was manager of theFlight Standards Division for theFAA's Eastern Region. From 1979to 1990, he served in a variety ofaviation operations and manage-ment positions in the agency'sEastern Region, as a principaloperations inspector, aviation safe-ty inspector, manager of the FlightStandards Division OperationsBranch, and assistant manager ofthe Flight Standards Division.

Prior to joining the FAA in1979, he was a pilot for the U.S. Customs Service in New York.From 1958 to 1976, he was a police officer and helicopter pilotfor the New York City Police Department. Sabatini served in theU.S. Army from 1956 to 1958.

Sabatini holds an airline trans-port pilot certificate and the fol-lowing ratings: airplane multi-engine land, rotorcraft-helicopter,DC-9, CE-500, BH206, EMB110,commercial privileges, airplane single-engine land, as well asflight and ground instructor certificates.

Sabatini attended the John JayCollege of Criminal Justice, the Kellogg School, NorthwesternUniversity, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at TuftsUniversity. Sabatini and his wifeGinny reside in Alexandria, VA.

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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such as "Don't do what I say,unless I'm right" and "DSR isHard," are well known throughoutthe agency.

Dan is the winner of thisyear's Ken Byrum award, becausehe knows how to make work fun,

while at the same time leading histeam to continued success. Healso understands the value of bal-ancing work and family life. He isa devoted family man. He recentlyorganized a youth basketballleague that debuts this summer.

Dan is certainly a role model toanyone who has ever worked forhim and with him.

Congratulations on beingan inspiration to us all!

DAN MCGOVERN (CONT.)

Don’t forget -- you can now get to the VOICE webpage through the FAA intranet atinterweb.faa.gov. Once in the VOICE page, click on Hot Topics, to see the latest agencynews. The Hot Topics are updated daily. And, don’t forget to call 1-877-888-4325 to keepinformed about agency happenings. The message is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

Popular Science magazine hasselected FAA's Integrated TerminalWeather System to receive a 2001"Best of What's New Award" in theaviation and space category of its14th annual awards honoring themost important innovations of theyear. The award winners are fea-tured in the magazine's December2001 issue.

ITWS is an automated weath-er system that provides near-term(0-30 min.) prediction of signifi-cant terminal area weather. ITWSintegrates data from radars, sen-sors, and automated aircraftreports, and then generates prod-ucts including windshear andmicroburst predictions, storm cellhazards and lightning information,

and terminal area winds aloft.ITWS can differentiate between real weather radar returns from those caused by anomalous propa-gation.

The technical expertise andweather laboratories at the TechCenter have been critical to thedevelopment and testing of ITWS,which will be a tremendous aid toair traffic controllers, enhancingthe efficiency of the entire airspacesystem. ITWS prototypes are nowoperational at Orlando, Memphis,Dallas/Fort Worth and New Yorkcenters. It is expected that ITWSwill be operational in the nation's45 airports currently installed withTerminal Doppler Weather Radar,by late 2003.

"This is a wonderful, mostwell-deserved recognition," saidCenter director Anne Harlan."ITWS will make a real differencefor the controller, and ultimately,the passenger. The work conduct-ed at the Center on ITWS will cer-tainly contribute toward enhancingthe efficiency of air travel in thefuture."

Congratulations to the ITWSteam: Bill Benner, manager,Weather Branch (ACT-320); TomWeiss, ITWS test director; TomCarty, Steve Viveiros, and StarrMcGettigan (all from ACT-320);and Jim Olivo, Gerry Di Massa,Steve Maciejewski, Patt Munn,and Donne Wedge, all from BCI(Basic Commerce and Industry).

ITWS IS THE “BEST OF WHAT’S NEW”

STAY INFORMED

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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With the recent anthrax attacks around the country, the Tech Center has been working to ensure the safetyand security of the mailroom. Joann Masur, our industrial hygienist, has met with many of the secretariesand administrative officers to discuss safe mail handling procedures. She distributed yellow cards, which youmay see posted in many areas where mail is opened, with a few suggestions and reminders.

As you can see from the photos below, the mailroom has also been thoroughly tested and declared free ofthe harmful anthrax bacteria.

If you do see or receive any suspicious package or envelope, call 1111 immediately. Gloves are availableif desired. We do also have some respirators, though these are not really recommended by CDC for those out-side of the mailroom environment. However, if you have a special concern or need, please contact Joann at 5-8214.

Thanks for your heightened vigilance.

ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITYOF OUR MAIL AND MAILROOM

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

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FLYING SAFE

If you’re traveling by air this holidayseason, the FAA has issued the followingtips to help air travelers accommodateand assist the heightened security meas-

ures implemented since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.Travelers should note that they will now be limited toone carry-on bag and one personal item on all flights.

Allow extra time · The heightened measures require more time to properly screen travelers. Travelers should contact their airline to find out how early they should arrive at the airport.

· Take public transportation to the airport if possi-ble. Parking and curbside access is likely to be controlled and limited.

· Curbside check-in is available on an airline-by-air-line basis. Travelers should contact their airline to see if it is in place at their airport.

Check-in · A government-issued ID (federal, state or local) is required. Travelers may be asked to show this ID at subsequent points, such as at the gate, along with their boarding passes.

· Automated check-in kiosks are available for air-lines that have appropriate security measures in place. Travelers interested in this option should check with their airline.

· E-ticket travelers should check with their airline tomake sure they have proper documentation. Written confirmation, such as a letter from the air-line acknowledging the reservation, may be required.

Screener Checkpoints · Only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the screener checkpoints, except for those with specific medical or parental needs.

· Each traveler will be limited to one carry-on bag and one personal bag (i.e., purse or briefcase). All electronic items, such as laptops and cell phones, may be subjected to additional screening. Be pre-

pared to remove your laptop from its travel case so that both can be X-rayed separately. Limit metalobjects worn on person.

· Travelers should remove all metal objects prior to passing through the metal detectors to facilitate thescreening process.

Items Prohibited from Aircraft CabinsThe following items must be placed in, or transport-

ed as, checked baggage or risk confiscation. · Knives of any length, composition or description · Cutting instruments of any kind and composition,

including carpet knives and box cutters (and spare blades), any device with a folding or retractable blade, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors and metal nail files

· Corkscrews · Baseball/softball bats · Golf clubs · Pool cues · Ski poles · Hockey sticks · When in doubt, transport item in checked baggage

At the Gate · Travelers must be prepared to present a valid

photo identification card, along with their boardingpass.

· Travelers and their bags may be subjected to addi-tional screening.

At all Times· Control all bags and personal items. · Do not bring anything onboard for another person. · Report any unattended items in the airport or air-

craft to the nearest airport or airline personnel.

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001

William J. HughesTechnical Center

Intercom

Editor:Terry KrausContributors:Holly Baker

Therese BrennanGinger CairnesStan CiurczakBill Dawson

Dan DellmyerVienna Drago

Carleen Genna-StoltzfusAdam Greco

Annette HarrellDavid Hess

Cathy JaggardPaul Lawrence

Pat LuiBob Marks

Connie MoranErnie PappasBarbara Para

Laurie Zaleski

For any questions,comments, or ideas,

please contactIntercom’s editor at (202) 267-3854

The WJHTC Intercom is available in color on-line at:

http://www.tc.faa.gov/intercom/intercom.htm

12

Please try to get Intercom submissions(articles, photos, ideas) to

Terry Kraus via email by the secondTuesday of every month.

DON’T FORGET

TALKIN’ TURKEY

Did you hear about the truckerwho planned to cook his Thanksgivingturkey on the engine of his truck? It's atrue story, one of hundreds that theButterball Turkey Hotline amasses eachyear from turkey bakers around the

country. Here are other bird-brained tales (by the way,the trucker had called to find out if his turkey wouldcook faster if he drove faster):

· One woman called to find our how long it would take to roast her turkey. To answer the question the hotline asked the woman how much the bird weighed. "I don't know," the woman said. "It's stillrunning around outside."

· A woman called the hotline to report her experiencewith buying a frozen turkey. She had picked through all the frozen turkeys at the store butcouldn't find one big enough for her family. So she asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get anybigger?" The stock boy replied, "No ma'am, they're dead."

· A Georgian woman took the motto "be prepared" to the next level. One Thanksgiving Day she called thehotline for turkey tips because she had just agreed tohost the holiday party-the following year.

· A woman from the West Coast wanted to be sure noone would get sick from her bird. So she called the hotline to find out how to clean off the bleach she used to scrub the bird clean. (She was directed to immediately chuck the turkey.)

(Adapted from Huddlenet.com and HumorMatters Websites.)

WJHTC INTERCOM NOVEMBER 2001