A Center Controller reported while working a sector with numerous weather deviations they requested an assist and to close off affected routes but they were ignored. The reporter stated the facility had two NMAC's on a previous date due to unsafe management of sectors with weather deviations.

Date: 2023-07 · Aircraft: A319 · Phase: climb

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|conflict-nmac|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

A Center Controller reported while working a sector with numerous weather deviations they requested an assist and to close off affected routes but they were ignored. The reporter stated the facility had two NMAC's on a previous date due to unsafe management of sectors with weather deviations.

Narrative

There was no loss of separation during this session. However; the lack of cooperation from Traffic Management Unit (TMU) and the Controller in Charge (CIC) at the time was concerning. Working sectors RXX and RXY combined the restricted complex and surrounding MOAs were active surface to 23000 ft. The sector was covered with weather and departures out of ZZZ Approach were deviating northwest bound. ZZZ departures coming out of the ZZZZZ departure gate filed northwest bound with ZZZZZ1 ZZZZZ2 as filed routing. There were massive cells of extreme precipitation to the North which these ZZZZZ departures wanted no part of. One pilot in particular even said 'it looks like shit' and tried to get above it all and said there was no way they could. I had to vector the aircraft southwest bound then back up northwest on aggressive headings to climb above the restricted complex.After asking to shut the departure gate I had to vector aircraft heading northbound on a 240 heading to go back southbound in order to get them higher than 23000 ft. to top the military airspace. Some aircraft were making their way west others weren't because of weather over ZZZ1. I had to get approval for higher than 23000 ft. with the sector for every aircraft heading northwest bound to ensure they topped the restricted airspace and the East MOA. The sectors both had aircraft on their frequency that leveled at 23000 ft. which made it more difficult for me to climb my aircraft in a timely manner to climb above the restricted airspace. I had to call both sectors and tell them to climb their aircraft. While this wasn't preferred the biggest issue I had with this entire situation was the CIC on position and TMU. I asked for a D-side and never received one until someone got me out of the position 20 minutes after my initial request. I told the CIC to tell TMU to shut off the ZZZZZ shelf or do something with it and the CIC told me to 'TMU said no so deal with it' and 'I suggest you use 5 miles' sarcastically laughing. I told the CIC I would speak to TMU after I got off position and once I did all I got was more of the same.Explaining the situation to TMU the response I received was 'you don't have to explain the sector to me I know how it works I was a Controller there' and 'shutting off ZZZZZ wouldn't do anything' as I was explaining that rerouting the aircraft over ZZZZZ3 departure gate would allow more time for the aircraft to climb and at least give the Controller more options to vector aircraft. Long story short I basically felt brushed off and dismissed. It's exactly for this reason having CIC's that aren't properly qualified and TMC's that don't know how to work well with Controllers; that serious issues keep happening at ZZZ. If someone were to review this event they will witness the dangerous situations and the Controller confusion with the higher sectors. On a side note; just two days ago there were at least two near mid air events at ZZZ that I'm personally aware of due to weather and improperly rerouting aircraft safely and expeditiously. I care about this facility and the safety of the flying public above all else. This is why I write these reports and it is why I don't stop fighting to make this facility a better place regardless of the push back I receive from my peers. More accountability for CIC's and TMC's. CIC's in my area do not run the CIC list and I have brought this up to management and the union several times. There are CIC's who are proactive and others that are reactive. When I'm on CIC I'm on the phone with TMU constantly painting the picture and telling them what we need. When there's weather there's no time to wait for Controllers to tell you what they need; they need to have a plan in place. The same can be said for TMC's. The weather is visual evidence that complexity is imminent; yet every day it seems to catch everyone off guard and Controllers/TMC's are left scrambling for solutions.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.