It was a cold blustery January winter morning as Sean O’Leary boarded the train for Atlantic City. He was not overly thrilled at the idea of confronting his software development team on the setbacks to ERAMS. He had his doubts about Lockheed’s ability to fix the problem. He had ordered his engineers to research all possibilities in fixing this Achilles’ heel. Now being under the gun from Washington, for what seemed like an incompetent work force, he knew it would be a tiring day. Arriving at the William J. Hughes Technical Center just before ten, he was told his team had assembled in the conference room awaiting his arrival. Sean stopped by the washroom taking a couple of minutes to gain his composure for what he expected would be a battle. Stepping into the conference room, he was surprised nobody even noticed. They were all gathered around a computer screen. In front of the computer was a middle-aged man speaking in broken English. Sean ran through his mental data bank trying to recall this guy, but came up blank. Shrugging his shoulders he just assumed he was from Lockheed.
Finally Scotty looked up, “Greetings, Boss. Have a good trip this morning?”
“Good as a train trip in the winter can be,” Sean replied taking a seat at his end of the conference table. “What have you got that can make me happy?”
As the rest of the team took their seats, Scotty introduced the stranger. “Sean, this here is Abdur Rahman. Mr. Rahman is a freelance software engineer and a graduate of MIT. Barney Williams from Los Angeles Center put him into contact with us, thinking he may be able to help. Abdur, this is my boss who I have been telling you about, Sean O’Leary.”
Formal greetings accomplished, Sean got right to the point. “Scotty, I need to speak to you alone before we get started. The rest of you take a break and be back in here in ten minutes.”
Looking around as the door shut behind him, Sean turned back to Scotty with a very disturbed and intense look. “What about security, Scotty? This guy looks more like a terrorist then a geek. What kind of clearance does he have?”
Scotty had known Sean for over ten years and had never seen him so perturbed. “Relax Sean! First he came with a recommendation from Barney who said he had a security clearance, then we had the FBI check him out and he came back clean. He says he has the answers to our ERAMS problem. I have seen his analysis and agree with him as I’m sure you will also.” Letting out a long sigh, Sean leaned back in his chair. “Okay! But this had better work. You know the stress this whole program is under. The last thing I need is a terrorist blowing up the whole place.”
Scotty grinned at his old friend and added, “Anyhow, you need to quit stereotyping.”
Ten minutes later they were intently listening as Abdur presented his case to the group. “Gentlemen, as I have already explained to Mr. Morris, I have done my homework. When I first heard about the software glitch in the ERAMS program from my friend Mr. Williams, I contacted Lockheed to offer my services. They did confess to the fact that there is a problem, but they were not interested in my input. After going through the proper protocol I was able to obtain the test results and found a common denominator. That is when I contacted Barney, who directed me to this office. I know you may be concerned as I am not attached to a major corporation, but let me assure you, I can fix your problem.”
Sean, now showing some sort of curiosity asked the question, “What is the common denominator? Is it fairly obvious?”
Slowly looking around at the group of engineers and managers, Abdur locked unto Sean with an intense stare and spoke softly. “Yes, the problem is simple but the solution is complex. As you are well aware, not all of the centers are going online at the same time. This would be impossible to accomplish considering the vast amount of training required. ERAM under its current configuration will not communicate properly with non-ERAM centers. I have located the code where this is happening and have already taken the liberty to write a patch that will fool ERAM into thinking the adjacent centers have been upgraded.”
“So you’re ready to go with it now?” Sean was now sitting up in his chair.
“Not yet,” Abdur continued, “I still have a lot of work to do and there is the subject of a contract. I am only a small company and need to make a living also. So if you desire my help in providing the solution to this two billion dollar headache I am willing to start negotiations on a contract. If you just think I am full of hot air then no problem. I will be on my way.”
“Just wait a minute,” Sean snapped back. He was getting just a little irritated with this somewhat arrogant geek. “What size of contract we talking about? We are already under the microscope and no one wants to ask Congress for more. Anyway, what guarantee do we have that you have the answer?”
“I expected this would come up,” Abdur replied. “I understand the concern and lack of faith. My proposal is very unique to your government. I am asking for one million U.S. dollars only to be paid if contract is fulfilled and I solve your problem and bring ERAMS up to operational standards. Considering what you have already spent, this should be a reasonable amount.”
The room fell silent, as every one of the FAA employees knew this could not pass the General Accounting Office even if the administrator was willing. Now what!