Narrative:

Aircraft X was enroute to boi at FL130. I initiated the handoff to big sky with ample time for them to take it; but they did not. As the aircraft approached big sky north I called using the shout line for a handoff. I received no response and tried two more times elevating my voice as to hopefully get the attention of the big sky controller. After no response; I told aircraft X to turn 180 degrees left immediately to avoid big sky airspace. The pilot the asked; 'was that for aircraft X?' I replied 'affirmative; turn 180 degrees left immediately to avoid boise airspace. The pilot; not following my instruction; proceeded to tell me 'but I'm a medevac' and asked what he should do and if the airport was closed. I repeated my clearance and told him that it was open but big sky would not take the handoff on his flight. The aircraft made its first turn on the boundary of big sky airspace then big sky took the handoff resulting in a loss of separation from airspace. We have been having a lot of problems with big sky not taking handoffs and management is aware. The 'descend via' clearances put us at greater risk and add significantly to our workload on a sector that is already difficult.we need to seriously consider deleting or changing the 'descend via' procedures to stop at FL170 for boi arrivals. Another alternative is to reclaim some of big sky's airspace vertically. This is becoming a major problem and needs attention.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZLC ARTCC Controller reported an airspace violation due to the approach control not taking a handoff in a timely manner; and a late turn to avoid the airspace by the reporter.

Narrative: Aircraft X was enroute to BOI at FL130. I initiated the handoff to Big Sky with ample time for them to take it; but they did not. As the aircraft approached Big Sky North I called using the shout line for a handoff. I received no response and tried two more times elevating my voice as to hopefully get the attention of the Big Sky Controller. After no response; I told Aircraft X to turn 180 degrees left immediately to avoid Big Sky airspace. The pilot the asked; 'Was that for Aircraft X?' I replied 'Affirmative; turn 180 degrees left immediately to avoid Boise airspace. The pilot; not following my instruction; proceeded to tell me 'But I'm a Medevac' and asked what he should do and if the airport was closed. I repeated my clearance and told him that it was open but Big Sky would not take the handoff on his flight. The aircraft made its first turn on the boundary of Big Sky airspace then Big Sky took the handoff resulting in a loss of separation from airspace. We have been having a lot of problems with Big Sky not taking handoffs and Management is aware. The 'descend via' clearances put us at greater risk and add significantly to our workload on a sector that is already difficult.We need to seriously consider deleting or changing the 'descend via' procedures to stop at FL170 for BOI arrivals. Another alternative is to reclaim some of Big Sky's airspace vertically. This is becoming a major problem and needs attention.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.