Narrative:

I have been on the sector for approximately 1 hour. The radar controller was on position for about 5-10 mins. The C525 was on an uncommon route. The radar controller issued a descent clearance to the E120 from FL270 to FL240. When the E120 was 13 mi west of the C525 level at FL260; we both recognized the conflict a few updates later after the E120 left FL270. The radar controller turned both aircraft 40 degrees. The bigger issue here is the contributing factor. ZLA management issued a letter 1 week earlier; threatening disciplinary action to anyone not using a 5 mi 'bubble' on any aircraft involved in an operational error. They threatened disciplinary action on any controller not using a 5 mi bubble when it is appropriate. I believe that these threats are a distraction to the controller working the sector; and will lead to even more operational errors. Since this letter came out; we had 3 errors in the first 8 days. This letter by management came about because as a facility we had a rash of errors during the months of january and february.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZLA RADAR ASSOCIATE CTLR DESCRIBED OPERROR AT FL260 WHEN CTLR FAILED TO RECOGNIZE A CONFLICT DEVELOPING; ISSUING CORRECTIVE ACTION TOO LATE.

Narrative: I HAVE BEEN ON THE SECTOR FOR APPROX 1 HR. THE RADAR CTLR WAS ON POS FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINS. THE C525 WAS ON AN UNCOMMON RTE. THE RADAR CTLR ISSUED A DSCNT CLRNC TO THE E120 FROM FL270 TO FL240. WHEN THE E120 WAS 13 MI W OF THE C525 LEVEL AT FL260; WE BOTH RECOGNIZED THE CONFLICT A FEW UPDATES LATER AFTER THE E120 LEFT FL270. THE RADAR CTLR TURNED BOTH ACFT 40 DEGS. THE BIGGER ISSUE HERE IS THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. ZLA MGMNT ISSUED A LETTER 1 WK EARLIER; THREATENING DISCIPLINARY ACTION TO ANYONE NOT USING A 5 MI 'BUBBLE' ON ANY ACFT INVOLVED IN AN OPERROR. THEY THREATENED DISCIPLINARY ACTION ON ANY CTLR NOT USING A 5 MI BUBBLE WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE. I BELIEVE THAT THESE THREATS ARE A DISTR TO THE CTLR WORKING THE SECTOR; AND WILL LEAD TO EVEN MORE OPERATIONAL ERRORS. SINCE THIS LETTER CAME OUT; WE HAD 3 ERRORS IN THE FIRST 8 DAYS. THIS LETTER BY MGMNT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE AS A FACILITY WE HAD A RASH OF ERRORS DURING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.