ATC

[robert7467]

Just something positive to think about. Often at times, we start to focus on the negatives in aviation such as politics, user fees, unwarranted searches and other government BS. Here is something that is really cool about aviation. When I took my trip to NC, I spoke with at least 10 different people during my route. They were keeping  me clear of other aircraft, helping with weather, reassuring me that I was clear of the mountains, and overall made me comfortable during my flight knowing they were there. Do I depend on their information to be accurate? No, but it does help communicating with them, and knowing there are there with me during my trip.

 

Think about how cool this is. I am on my little joyride, and I have the support of a whole team as an extra set of eyes out there. If I want to take a tour of a major city, they made sure the public  is safe and vector me around approaching traffic, all for my personal enjoyment. There is a coolness factor to this. Our aviation infrastructure is not perfect, but it is the best in the world, and this is what I am thankful for. Just something positive to think about….

 

 

[1964-M20E]

Robert

 

You make a very good point.  I too have been on many flights talking with many different controllers and the vast majority have been professional and good.  My hat is off to the controllers who in certain areas have very stressful jobs.

 

 

As with most things the individual doing his job and doing it well has little to do with the bureaucracy and red tape above him.

[flyboy0681]

I have mentioned several times over the years here that the men and women of ATC love what they do and will go out of their way (workload permitting) to help us out.

 

I have a friend that works approach control and the tower at Palm Beach and he's told me on many occasions that the people manning the scopes will try to comply with any reasonable request and assist when called upon and when needed. I've also been invited into the radar room and sat down next to some controllers just to watch. They come in all shapes and sizes and are just plain folk. There is, however, one thing they don't care for. When the president comes to town, Secret Service controllers, yes you heard it right, there are controllers who are part of the Secret Service, man each position as well as the tower and watch over the controllers when AF1 arrives and departs.

 

What I like most about the ATC system is the cost. At least for now.

[chrisk]

I have generally found ATC to be very helpful with a few exceptions.  I was handed off to Gray Approach for some practice IFR work at KTPL.  It was painfully obvious that that controller didn't want to work with me, but he did.   And most recently, I flew with another pilot whose initial contact with the tower at KGTU includes the words "Negative ATIS".  He received the ATIS frequency and a lot of attitude.  It seems the controller was having a bad day.  Although his attitude suddenly go better when he took a call from a female pilot.

[Marauder]

I think like all jobs, you have your good days and your bad ones. Catch me on a bad day and I'm not the most friendly person either. Although there was this one controller, at a controlled field I was based at, that obviously was in the wrong line of work -- dealing with people. Never heard of any other controller looking to start a fight on a freq. But this guy did.

[Earl]

It is very rare that I have a truly bad experience with ATC.  I also think that most of the negative experiences happen during high traffic or challenging weather situations where they are busting a hump trying to keep all the metal apart and not bust separation requirements.  Controllers in the northeast corridor are notoriously abrupt but given the high demand and stress it is probably necessary.  And like others have said, we all can have a bad day and take it out on others.

 

But I have had many more pleasant experiences, nice conversations (albeit brief) and friendly hellos and goodbyes than even remotely unfriendly.  I also enjoy it greatly how often they have to ask me to slow down during an approach for other traffic (I know the jet-a crowd gets them all the time).  Love the Mooney speed.

[gjkirsch]

99% positive experiences, even flying a lot around DC and Chicago.  I do not know how some of the controllers can even keep up with all the calls in and out on their frequency. 

 

However, there is one woman at my home field that I have been tempted to ask on frequency if she was my first wife.  We have left and right runways and one side is right next to my hanger and the other involves a really long Taxi after landing.  You would think I was asking for her first born when I get handed off and request my preferred runway on contact along with acknowledging ATIS and altitude.  (full disclosure, my real first and only wife are still together and celebrating our 35th anniversary the end of this month)

[Super Dave]

Agree, overall US ATC staff is exceedingly competent, efficient, flexible, and tolerant within the bounds of safety. Every so often I will hear some belligerent pilot obviously dissatisfied with their handling, and invariably it is the pilot is missing some part of the bigger picture.

[chrisk]

I mentioned earlier that most of my experiences with ATC have been excellent.   They have been helpful and accommodating.  But one experience with Gray Approach made me wonder if they are the same folks from KGRK.  That is, are they military vs FAA?     

[Hank]

My experience with military ATC has been uniformly positive, both IFR & VFR. Never had a problem with them at all. Called Johnson Approach to open my flight after departing a non-controlled field and Wilmington Approach would not reply to repeated calls over several minutes as I climbed towards clouds. He was friendly, polite and got me going.

[jnisley]

Be courteous, professional and pay attention and most controllers will do the same, if they tell you to standby, that is what they expect you to do, last evening I heard a very busy Potomac Approach controller asked a pilot to standby, rather then stand by the pilot requested the same practice approach again, the second, VERY FIRM request to standby did the trick, there was absolute radio silence for what seemed like a minute.

[RocketAviator]

I have to remind myself that "you know these folks are people just like me" & you!.... I do appreciate their efforts and all the benefits they provide to me and others flying around me when I fly!  I believe like most people I appreciate when an extra over and beyond effort is made on my behalf and on the same hand I don't appreciate being jerked around anymore than anyone else does... Wish I could say I never jerked any of the ATC around but..... and yes I have been jerked around by ATC but most have been very professional and gracious (even when I was the one who made multiple mistakes....)  Bottom line I could not fly like I fly without the ATC and I appreciate and Thankfull for the ATC and all of what they do for me and all those that fly around me!

 

Fly Safe

Rocket On!

[PTK]

My old instruments professor, Charlie, drilled it into my head: "...you can't be a square peg trying to fit into a round hole..."

I took this advice very seriously and has served me well, especially up here in the NE.

Of course, without exception, all of my requests contain the word "please", and when I'm being handed off my parting words are "...thank you Sir (or Ma'am) for your help."

I haven't noticed any difference between controllers military or not.

Courtesy and respect are the universal human language.

[Gone]

...you can't be a square peg trying to fit into a round hole...

+1

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