A center controller working a combined sector reported that they were distracted by a conversation w...

Attributes
ACN	1611942
Time
Date	201901
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-800
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 8
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Airspace Violation All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

Aircraft X was approaching the ZZZ1 boundary. I intended to point him out to ZZZ1; but was distracted by an aircraft with multiple requests in the area. I did not have a d-side. Additionally; I was distracted by a discussion with my supervisor about whether we would retain our health care coverage while not being paid. This was of great concern to me because I have multiple health conditions that would quickly deplete my savings if I were to lose my insurance. I realized aircraft X was within 10 miles of ZZZ1 and attempted to call ZZZ1 with the point out but it took several attempts before they answered. Aircraft X was within 3 miles by the time they answered and took the point out. Have better staffing so that there is a d-side when [sectors] are combined. Start paying ATC their salaries.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Center Controller working a combined sector reported that they were distracted by a conversation with the Supervisor over pay issues and made a late point out to the adjacent facility.

Narrative: Aircraft X was approaching the ZZZ1 boundary. I intended to point him out to ZZZ1; but was distracted by an aircraft with multiple requests in the area. I did not have a D-Side. Additionally; I was distracted by a discussion with my Supervisor about whether we would retain our health care coverage while not being paid. This was of great concern to me because I have multiple health conditions that would quickly deplete my savings if I were to lose my insurance. I realized Aircraft X was within 10 miles of ZZZ1 and attempted to call ZZZ1 with the point out but it took several attempts before they answered. Aircraft X was within 3 miles by the time they answered and took the point out. Have better staffing so that there is a D-side when [sectors] are combined. Start paying ATC their salaries.

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.

A center controller working a combined sector reported that they were distracted by a conversation with the supervisor over pay issues and made a late point out to the adjacent facility.