BIGBlack From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 600 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2682 times:
Speaking from a pax perspective, one of my favorite things to do when flying UA, is to tune into the air traffic control chatter on channel 9 of my headset. I enjoy listening the whole flight as we pass through different centers on into our final destination. I have learned a lot of terms and procedures which is exciting to me being an aviation enthusiast. I have also noticed that the air traffic controllers at ORD seem to be pretty damn grumpy LOL. That leads me to my questions for you crew members out there...
Are there any atc centers you like more than others or is it a person to person kind of thing? If you work for UA, what do you think of the feature of allowing us to monitor the broadcasts? (Knowing that must be able to turn it off when you like or during an emergency of course.) What do crew members of other airlines think of this feature?
RduBE90Pilot From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 63 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2612 times:
All controllers have good and bad days. We talk a lot with Washington and Jax Centers and some days everything is great. Other days you may have what appears to be a grump. It all depends on who's working and their mood at the time. I can't say I have a favorite because they are all good. Some Approach and Tower guys (and gals) in my neck of the woods seem to have grumpiness issues from time to time but overall they're good.
UA777222 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3348 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2558 times:
CCR is pretty small. With 1-3 tower guys at all times. If you are there at peak hours and have a lot going on if you don't listen you can hear it in their voice that they are frustrated with you. They don't stay that way for long.
One Asian guy who flys a rented 172 out of here has this issue of not responding to traffic calls and requires a bit of time when he talks. You can hear the frustration in their voice and even some times they will yell at him
01W you need to listen up here. This is the big boy play ground we can't have you fooling around...
^^^^^^^^^^^
is the last one that I heard a few days ago.
They can be funny as hell too. A WN guy departing OAK switches on to the tower by accident;
Oakland Center, Southwest XXX 15,000 for FL210. Southwest XXX, Concord tower, switch back to previous frequency, How much do they pay you a year?
BIGBlack From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 600 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2480 times:
Thanks for the feedback guys! Great stuff. Very interesting to know. LOL at that guy. he sounds like the guy I heard sitting in the bullpin at ORD on UA flight. The tower op was yelling, "I'll tell you when to leave now don't ask me again!" at this pilot of a Air France heavy that wanted to taxi. Like 5 people started laughing and looking around as we sat there listening.
PHLapproach From Philippines, joined Mar 2004, 1181 posts, RR: 22 Reply 4, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2394 times:
I believe NY ARTCC has a good group of people. I rarly hear a grump. They know they have the most sofisticated and complex airspace, they gotta get the job done. From what I hear on my scanner, they will try to help you in ANYWAY possible.
Kennedy1 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 2315 times:
I listen to PHX online quite a bit and there is a women who usually is on in the mornings who can be down right wicked. A few weeks ago they seemed to have a bunch of departures stacked up, and she's simply come on and ask who was next, then like 5 people would talk at once so she couldn't hear anything. Finally she says something like "If you all want to take off at once, we can try it. Until then, one at a time or we no one is going anywhere!" Then someone would ask for push and she'd say something like "I'm going to make the decisions around here, and you're not going yet. Wait your turn!"
I don't think I'd want to get on her bad side by the sounds of things.
JeffDCA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2270 times:
Daytona Approach is a no-no most of the time. I've been completely ignored by them on several occasions, once to the extent that a radio failure was suspected, and as Bush was in town, it wasn't a good time for that!
They did once clear me to follow Daytona Beach at 1000' or below in a 172SP, so i do forgive them!
Tampa Approach, on the one occasion i've used it was great! Extremely helpful, and cheerful sounding controller, so much so, that upon aircraft leaving the frequency, "keep up the good work" was heard by pretty much everyone. I'll fly there again for sure!
Orlando Approach is another very good one. We once had to get vectors around a storm on arrival into SFB from SAV. Put it this way, i'm still here today and i owe it to them!
SAV has another very good approach control. They made thoroughly sure that we knew the area, and associated hazards on approach before handing us over to tower.
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