Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3.5
Time Pressure; Workload; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure; Staffing; Weather
This is not a report on an operational loss of separation or such. But instead a major weather event that drove many aircraft into the Prairie area of ZKC. A major line of thunderstorms starting from GCK to the northeast for hundreds of miles and a developing area of thunderstorms down by AMA. This was the 2nd overnight shift in two weeks where we were needing extra bodies. Last week every area pre-planned for weather and added a 4th body to the overnight shift; except for Prairie. We were hammered most of the night with increased traffic and weather deviations. There was no thought what so ever to add additional controllers to the operation. Tonight was the same thing. This weather was forecasted earlier in the day but no scheduling adjustments were made. Upon my crew's (3 controllers) arrival to work; we had 4 sectors open. An evening person was held over an hour of overtime to help but that was not enough. Sector 23 (high altitude) was taking the brunt of the traffic. He had our supervisor acting as his D-side. Over his shoulder watching was the OM (Operation Manager) and another supervisor from another area. I was working sector 66 (low altitude) and using 68's scope to quick look 23 to help track. The 23 r-side lost the picture many times. Multiple times; I personally went over to them to tell them to turn aircraft for traffic. Usually the area is combined to 1 scope at about XA:45 at the latest; but we ran 2 scopes till about XB:45. I went on break from XB:00-XD:00.I came back at XD:00 and the area was combined on 1 scope but they had the r-side; d-side; and a controller from another area tracking. During my sit (XD:00-XF:00 local); traffic was continued to be heavy till about XE:20. We let the tracker go; but still required a d-side. The traffic was manageable but rides were bad on the east side of the system with up to moderate turbulence and the controller at ZAB sector 15 was not helping. He would give aircraft deviations and continue to NOT use the data block's 4th line to enter the deviation instructions. This left me guessing and confirming what aircraft were cleared; wasting time on the frequency. We hollered over for them to use the 4th line and the ZAB 15 controller instead decided he was going to be annoying and just call on the land line for each deviation. He was asked to use the 4th line and he replied their busy and don't have time. My d-side then said 'But you're not too busy to call?' After a couple more times; we had to get our supervisor involved. This thunderstorm season has been non-stopping and crazy. I know the CWSU (Center Weather Service Unit) has been briefing management during stand ups on what to expect; but there continues to be problems properly staffing for the overnight shifts. A night like tonight just goes to prove that it is better to be prepared and have an extra body whether its needed or not; then to be reactionary and not have the people. There shouldn't ever be a time when the OM is having to track for an hour.
Kansas City Center Controller reported of short staffing and aircraft deviating for weather. Reporter stated all other areas in this center staffed accordingly due to weather except the area he was assigned.