Commercial Fixed Wing
Dispatch Dispatcher
Troubleshooting; Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Confusion; Workload
Other Unwanted situation
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Staffing; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
As I was preparing and releasing flight I noticed flights showing on Sabre Planning Page that were not on my worksheet. I printed a new worksheet that showed additional flights.  I asked the duty office what changed and they did not know. The new worksheet had me releasing 24 flights with 22 different stations; not including any alternate stations. Since many of these stations are only flown to once a week; I am not familiar with runways; NOTAMS; takeoff restrictions; arrival restrictions; etc. This requires a tremendous amount of time to plan each flight. In addition to normal Dispatch duties; the new Sabre revision caused initial low altitudes requiring more manipulation than just adding MEL/placard information to each leg. ATC had six FCAs [Flow Constrained Areas] in effect causing flow control problems; EWR was at the start of a snow storm; ORD had gusty winds with potential flow control problems; CLE was in the middle of a snow event and the usual slowness of Dispatch work tools added to the difficulty of maintaining operational control. Quite a few issues at play here; do not have time to expand upon [them] at this time.
A dispatcher was concerned that the increased workload resulting from the surprise assignment of additional flights to/from stations with which she had not previously worked; was excessive and compromised her ability to provide proper flight planning and support.