Date: 201704
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Light: Night
Aircraft: No Aircraft
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Dispatcher
Reporter qualification: Dispatch Dispatcher
Human factors: Workload
Second reporter function: Dispatcher
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Dispatch
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: In addition to many previous emails detailing the need for an additional night desk staffed for Caribbean; the below message was sent to dispatch sector managers; director and the chief dispatcher. Upon arrival of my night shift; there had been no additional night desk opened as requested. I have signed up for text notifications. There was no text sent regarding the opening of an additional Caribbean night desk for this night. These texts go out when the overtime list has been exhausted. This indicates that there was no attempt made to cover/provide an additional Caribbean night desk as requested with advance notice. Night shift solo workload tonight; 60+ releases active. Request was made two shifts prior to the subject night shiftThis was caused by:1) Poor staffing.2) Not paying attention to operational need. 3) Disregarding a workload issue brought to attention of management by a dispatch employee. Open and staff; 7 days per week; an additional (2nd) Caribbean night desk permanently.


Second narrative: A request for additional assistance for the night Caribbean desk was sent out to the Dispatch Sector Manager. The request explained the reasons for the additional assistance and also asked that the managers not wait until the last minute to try to fill the desk. Enroute weather is expected to impact all Caribbean flights in the morning. Upon arrival to the night shift; no additional desk was opened; nor was any attempt made to staff the desk. A text messaging service that notifies all dispatchers of open desks/overtime was not utilized to request additional assistance for the Caribbean night desk. The event occurred because the AM and PM shift Dispatch Sector Managers either ignored or chose not to try open the desk to assist the night Caribbean desk. The heavy workload in the Caribbean night shift is known problem; but it appears that based upon which managers are working that day; depends on if an additional desk is opened. There was an additional unassigned dispatcher that the managers decided to utilize in domestic. Sector Managers are either ignoring the requests for assistance or taking it upon themselves to decide if the workload warrants additional help. An additional desk is permanently needed for the Caribbean night shift. No more calling on a day by day basis or based upon the opinion of the Sector Managers on duty for the day. If the desk opening was overlooked by accident; then by opening the desk permanently; it will be staffed by the normal overtime call out procedures done the day prior.


Synopsis: Two dispatchers reported requesting an additional Dispatch desk be opened for late night Caribbean departures and arrivals due to forecasted weather; but the requests were ignored by management.