Narrative:

In the past two years msp approach and ZMP ARTCC have had issues determining the number of aircraft that can be safely fed to the approach control during a one hour period (metering). To that end there are two different methods used. One method is by automation means based upon a program; and the other is human calculation. Neither system has proven itself to be beneficial to the flying public; the airlines; or to the controllers involved. At least once a week msp ARTCC is holding numerous aircraft; landing msp; while the approach control runs out of aircraft. We have a multi million dollar communication system in place but neither the approach tmu nor the ARTCC tmu find it necessary to communicate to eliminate these situations. If we are going to serve the flying public and make it profitable for the airlines; or at least less costly; we need a better system. Any instance where a controller has to place numerous aircraft in one location for the purpose of holding has the potential to be disastrous; and ZMP is doing just that needlessly on a continuous basis. I believe msp approach controls airspace is the worst designed airspace I have ever seen. I believe that a need for a safer; more productive system of determining the metering number needs to found. Examples: numerous aircraft inbound to msp; tmu calls for metering. First eight aircraft have no or little delay time; the next 14 have 12 plus minutes. As soon as the first delayed aircraft starts outbound turn tmu calls and cancels metering. All aircraft in that line are delayed. Tmu calls for metering. ZMP starts to hold aircraft. Msp approach has ten aircraft all on final with no other arrivals in their airspace. Recommendation; get rid of the automation system we have for determining metering. Reconstruct msp approach airspace with fewer configurations and less broken up. Encourage a more open line of communication between approach tmu and ZMP tmu. Have a team look into the automation system and find out where it can be changed to better predict metering situations.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZMP controller voiced concern regarding the present metering procedures/coordination used between the ZMP and MSP TMU's; alleging the practices result in either too many aircraft and/or too few aircraft in the MSP airspace; suggesting revisions to both the MSP airspace and TMC procedures used at both subject facilities.

Narrative: In the past two years MSP Approach and ZMP ARTCC have had issues determining the number of aircraft that can be safely fed to the Approach Control during a one hour period (metering). To that end there are two different methods used. One method is by automation means based upon a program; and the other is human calculation. Neither system has proven itself to be beneficial to the flying public; the airlines; or to the controllers involved. At least once a week MSP ARTCC is holding numerous aircraft; landing MSP; while the approach control runs out of aircraft. We have a multi million dollar communication system in place but neither the approach TMU nor the ARTCC TMU find it necessary to communicate to eliminate these situations. If we are going to serve the flying public and make it profitable for the airlines; or at least less costly; we need a better system. Any instance where a controller has to place numerous aircraft in one location for the purpose of holding has the potential to be disastrous; and ZMP is doing just that needlessly on a continuous basis. I believe MSP Approach Controls airspace is the worst designed airspace I have ever seen. I believe that a need for a safer; more productive system of determining the metering number needs to found. Examples: Numerous aircraft inbound to MSP; TMU calls for metering. First eight aircraft have no or little delay time; the next 14 have 12 plus minutes. As soon as the first delayed aircraft starts outbound turn TMU calls and cancels metering. All aircraft in that line are delayed. TMU calls for metering. ZMP starts to hold aircraft. MSP Approach has ten aircraft all on final with no other arrivals in their airspace. Recommendation; get rid of the automation system we have for determining metering. Reconstruct MSP Approach airspace with fewer configurations and less broken up. Encourage a more open line of communication between Approach TMU and ZMP TMU. Have a team look into the automation system and find out where it can be changed to better predict metering situations.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.