Landing without a clearance - What would you do?

A few months back at IAH a flight either put the wrong frequency or just plain forgot, but either case landed without talking to tower and as they were exiting the runway they realized their error and tower simply said: There you are, in a happy sarcastic voice, and simply asked for gate. That was all.

I understand all the FARs and blah blahs, but really you are going into a Class B as a part 121 carrier, they have you on radar and pretty much know what you'll be doing, not like it's going to cause confusion at the airport. Go around will def set the chain of chaos.

Think of this what's the safer option. Does it make sense to initiate a go around at a 100 feet or simply land on an empty runway??? Aren't we taught to follow our planed flight plan with failed coms.
 
The best bet is to do it by the book. ATC does not expect you to land without a clearance. If you're number 1 for the runway and the tower is too busy to clear you to land, then how do you know it's safe? It's definitely not legal. Even in the lost comm case, you're expected to land by a green light gun signal. Definitely don't jeopardize your ticket just to 'help with the flow'. Go around and try again.
 
Go around. FAA now considers this a runway incursion. It will go on your record, whether the controller likes to do it or not. AND if he decides not to do it, odds are when they get audited, the supervisor will go back and do it for him. All the while you think your safe.

Our airline is now emphasizing this heavily. Don't land, in the old days, no problemo. Not anymore. and BTW I know a guy whos done it twice! Once in PSP and once in LAX. Both times he forgot he was on the approach freq. It's easy to do on your 7th leg of the day. Trust me.
 
I'm sure y'all saw me flash the Green Light
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cime_sp said:
Actually happens quite a bit in ATL. You are expected to just switch over to twr at the marker.
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Is this true? Is there anything in the AIM that would indicate such an automatic frequency change procedure? The approach plates don't mention doing this, and as a matter of fact in the ILS PRM instructions it says "When instructed, immediately switch to the tower frequency..." (emphasis mine)
 
Lance F said:
Is this true? Is there anything in the AIM that would indicate such an automatic frequency change procedure? The approach plates don't mention doing this, and as a matter of fact in the ILS PRM instructions it says "When instructed, immediately switch to the tower frequency..." (emphasis mine)
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It's just kinda understood.. They always tell you to contact tower at the OM but sometimes workload doesn't permit a call from approach. If it's busy common sense is to call tower once you've reached the OM.

Just wanna say that you ATL controllers do a helluva job! Keep up the great work...
 
No it is not an understood practice, it is in your approach clearance.

"Citrus 755 maintain 180 kts until DEPOT, at DEPOT contact ATL tower on 119.3.

Unless we are on triple PRM or dual ILS'. Then you must be transfered to the tower prior to losing vertical separation with aircraft on adjacent final, IE 1 NM from IAF.
 
ATLTRACON said:
No it is not an understood practice, it is in your approach clearance.

"Citrus 755 maintain 180 kts until DEPOT, at DEPOT contact ATL tower on 119.3.

Unless we are on triple PRM or dual ILS'. Then you must be transfered to the tower prior to losing vertical separation with aircraft on adjacent final, IE 1 NM from IAF.
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Not to split hairs, but sometimes you guys do not throw it in the approach clearance. And when ya don't, it's understood.

As in... I know you forgot about us, but we understand. :)
 
I would switch to tower, and ask if i'm cleared. i'd wait for that split second of radio silence and just ask.

if still nothing, i'd go around.... and if the tower asks wth i'm doing, i'll tell them i never got handed off app, and never got clearance to land.

and like doug said, you could make like another 30-40 dollars due to this lol
 
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