Commercial Fixed Wing
Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors
This flight was handed down to me at shift turnover with a laundry list of various MELs. I was told they were all accounted for on the release; no other stories. Once [the] aircraft was airborne; I happened to notice one of the alerts that the swing Dispatcher had acknowledged was for a MEL addition; specifically MEL 26-XX-XX: ENG NO. #3 LOOP B - INOP. I also noticed that there didn't seem to be a broadcast message via ACARs to give the new MEL to the crew along with time/initials. I contacted the crew via ACARs and they confirmed that they did not receive the amendment; either via ACARs or voice; that they had lost track of it with all the other MELs on the aircraft. Normally; I would not give a MEL amendment once the aircraft was airborne; but in this case; since the MEL had been added correctly by Maintenance before departure; in fact before my shift ever started; I went ahead and sent time/initials to add the MEL.Not sure [about the cause]; you would have to speak with the swing shift Dispatcher. This aircraft already had 6 MELs; this one made it 7; so it could very easily have been lost in the shuffle or the Dispatcher overlooked sending it while dealing with the numerous other flights he was following. You would have to ask him.
This is such a petulant item. Apparently someone holds a grudge for whatever reason; I do not care. This particular flight had just landed prior to end of shift. It was most likely added as a last minute item prior to block out for the next flight leg which departed long after I was off-duty. MEL 26-XX-XX is an Engine Fire Detection Loop write-up. A very minor item. It was not on the inbound leg that I recall. Deferral items such as this occur quite frequently. The current responsible Dispatcher simply offers time and initials to amend the flight plan. In this case; the Dispatcher writing this chose not to do so without a fuss. There was an aircraft tail swap in ZZZ. Again; items of this nature occur quite frequently. Most dispatchers quietly amend the flight plan with time/initials to the flight crew or if time permitting [and] if deemed necessary; send out a new flight plan release. The Dispatcher who wrote this needs to leave his/her personal feelings for others out of the issues. We are all under stress with the Covid-19 environment and the heavy workload burden on each shift. There is no need for this pettiness. I have never filed an ASAP against someone for something as petty as this.
Dispatcher reported an MEL item that was not provided to the flight crew prior to the flight.