Do controllers just assume /G nowadays?

[ClearedToTakeoff]

And by /G I mean, "/G" where so many personal pilots have an unapproved handheld device, but ATC just gives direct anyways? I can't count how many times I've been IFR in SoCal and get a "direct xxxxx" clearance. I kindly remind them I'm /U or /A and get a heading, which I filed as, but why am I always given direct an intersection? So do controllers look at equipment suffixes anymore?

 

[TripSix]

And by /G I mean, "/G" where so many personal pilots have an unapproved handheld device, but ATC just gives direct anyways? I can't count how many times I've been IFR in SoCal and get a "direct xxxxx" clearance. I kindly remind them I'm /U or /A and get a heading, which I filed as, but why am I always given direct an intersection? So do controllers look at equipment suffixes anymore?

I work in a stripless environment. No clue what any given aircraft's suffix is until I'm told "unable."

But I don't work in SoCal, so YMMV...

 

[rframe]

I work in a stripless environment. No clue what any given aircraft's suffix is until I'm told "unable."

So why do we even have equipment codes anymore?

 

[EIR]

So why do we even have equipment codes anymore?

To satisfy the feds.

 

[z987k]

Maybe they assume you know how to navigate point to point. .

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I work in a stripless environment. No clue what any given aircraft's suffix is until I'm told "unable."

You're it!

 

[drunkenbeagle]

I kindly remind them I'm /U or /A and get a heading, which I filed as, but why am I always given direct an intersection? So do controllers look at equipment suffixes anymore?

I just say "Thank you!"

As long as you are in radar coverage, you can use dead reckoning to go off airway direct anyway. That was true back in the stone age before GPS. Ask for a heading if it makes you feel better I guess.

 

[cmhumphr]

Flying into Newark once, they were using the RNAV approach to 4R, and a United 757 (I'm guessing it was an older model) couldn't accept it because they weren't equipped.

 

[TripSix]

So why do we even have equipment codes anymore?

The majority of the time I'm doing one of two things: transitioning aircraft from/to the tower environment to/from the enroute environment, or containing aircraft entirely within our airspace from takeoff to landing.

I really don't need it, they do. I don't care if you are RVSM (distinguished by a suffix) a center, I would imagine, does - for example...

Also, stripless environments are the exception, not the rule. For the time being at least.

 

[SteveCostello]

Maybe they assume you know how to navigate point to point. .

 

[ClearedToTakeoff]

Maybe they assume you know how to navigate point to point. .

Pretty easy using pilotage in the clouds, eh?

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Pretty easy using pilotage in the clouds, eh?

Dead reckoning works just swell, even in clouds, last I checked.

 

[Boris Badenov]

Flying the old Mitsis, I'd just say "hey it sort of looks like a 243 heading will take me where I need to be" and 99 times out of 100, I was told "Fly heading 243, direct XYZ when able". Elegant, legal, and CYA-appropriate.

 

[z987k]

Dead reckoning works just swell, even in clouds, last I checked.

And is even required on some airways.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

And is even required on some airways.

You're dangerous.

 

[dasleben]

Flying into Newark once, they were using the RNAV approach to 4R, and a United 757 (I'm guessing it was an older model) couldn't accept it because they weren't equipped.

Can't speak for UAL, but we still can't accept RNAV approaches in the 757/767. Three of our jets don't have GPS.