Longest ATIS?

germb747

germb747

Well-Known Member
Okay, I know I have entirely too much time on my hands right now to be typing this, but does anyone know who has the longest ATIS? Out of sheer curiousity, I've timed a few of the ones I've heard recently:

IAH - 1:30
JFK - 1:15
EWR - 1:16

(about 30 seconds of info I really need, the rest is obvious info or has been NOTAMed already)

In addition to that annoying computer voice, does anyone agree these broadcasts are entirely too long? When I'm overseas, most airports use a pleasant-sounding computer voice with only the essential information I need to know to arrive at the airport and are much more brief. I just hate it when I miss an important piece of information due to a radio call or something, and then have to wait another minute and a half to hear it again--that's covering 10-12 miles of real estate up there! Why do they need to tell me about every place on the airport undergoing construction, when it's been in the NOTAMS for weeks and we should have already read about it!?

Real quotes heard on ATIS:

"Read back all runway hold short instructions" -- Duh! That's required anyway--waste of air time.

"In the interest of noise abatement, please use the assigned runway"
-- If I can, I will. If I can't, I won't.

"Verify the currency of your FMS database" --no brainer

By the time we can pick up the ATIS, we start to get real busy real quick. Then there are times/places where the ATIS changes every five minutes even though nothing has significantly changed. I know I'm ranting, but come on!
 
I have to say I love getting ATIS through the ACARS. The only ATIS I listen to any more is from tiny airports, and that stuff is usually just the weather and maybe a taxiway closure.
 
Do BOS and MCO really need to publish different ATIS's for departure and arrival? I don't really see a whole lot of difference. It's a waist of ACARS bytes and printer paper.

I like how MCO's ATIS reminds you to use "MODE SEE" on your transponder. They told me they can't printer one letter that isn't a word (or something like that). I think "MODE CHARLIE" would be more correct.
 
While I haven't been to PIT lately to time the ATIS, it had been (most likely still is) very long. It's definitely up there in the well-over-a-minute ATIS'. SOOOOO annoying. Like you said, you miss one simple thing and now have to wait to listen to the entire loop again.....and miss the same info again because of a radio call....here we go again. UGH!
 
Fins Up said:
Do BOS and MCO really need to publish different ATIS's for departure and arrival? I don't really see a whole lot of difference. It's a waist of ACARS bytes and printer paper.

I like how MCO's ATIS reminds you to use "MODE SEE" on your transponder. They told me they can't printer one letter that isn't a word (or something like that). I think "MODE CHARLIE" would be more correct.
Click to expand...

You have the ACARS printer? :panic: I bet that comes in handy.
 
Fins Up said:
Do BOS and MCO really need to publish different ATIS's for departure and arrival? I don't really see a whole lot of difference. It's a waist of ACARS bytes and printer paper.
Click to expand...


7110.65 2-9-3 Include the following in ATIS broadcast as
appropriate:

e. Departure runway/s (to be given only if
different from landing runway/s or in the instance of
a “departure only” ATIS).
 
germb747 said:
"Read back all runway hold short instructions" -- Duh! That's required anyway--waste of air time.
Click to expand...

7110.65 2-9-3 Include the following in ATIS broadcast as
appropriate:

j. A statement which advises the pilot to read back
instructions to hold short of a runway. The air traffic
manager may elect to remove this requirement
60 days after implementation provided that removing
the statement from the ATIS does not result in
increased requests from aircraft for read back of hold
short instructions.


I agree about it being obvious, I'm glad we don't have to do this at the airport I work at!
 
TPA's was pretty long. And the digital variety to boot. Not only were there 5 second pauses between "lines", but they also included everything in the RMK section.
 
Fins Up said:
Do BOS and MCO really need to publish different ATIS's for departure and arrival? I don't really see a whole lot of difference. It's a waist of ACARS bytes and printer paper.
Click to expand...

That seemed to be the direction that many airports were going to some years ago, and now it seems that airports are trying to get away from it.
 
dvtpilot said:
ORD can get out of hand sometimes too
Click to expand...
:yeahthat:
When I was based there we had to change out the ACARS paper about every 3 legs. DEN isn't particualrly long, but they update it every 5 minutes even if there is no change in the weather. If you get the ATIS and wait more than 5 seconds to check on with approach, tell them you have A and they'll ask you to advise when you have E. :banghead: They have been getting a lot better about it over the last 6 months or so though.
 
What is this magical ACARS you replacement jet kiddies speak of? LOL...no such luxury in the Dash...We gotta listen to the whole thing to get five items of relevant info..

Wind, viz, rwy in use, temp, altimeter and that's about it. PHL's dept ATIS can be a bit winded.
 
LOL at KIAH's ATIS: 281-443-1744
I love the way it says "Houston Intercontinental." :buck:
I seriously don't understand some of that stuff.
Gotta love the Fred voice. (I think it's Fred, anyway. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. :buck:)
 
Omdahl said:
7110.65 2-9-3 Include the following in ATIS broadcast as
appropriate:

e. Departure runway/s (to be given only if
different from landing runway/s or in the instance of
a “departure only” ATIS).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Most airports still only have one version of ATIS and clearly note departure and arrival runways. JFK is a good example for ya.
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the juggernaut of ATIS printouts.... SNA. I swear that thing uses up half a roll of paper.
 
moxiepilot said:
try centennial - it
s a fair shake
Click to expand...
:yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat:


Good lord KAPA needs to learn how to cut back a bit on the info they give! I hate it when you just need one bit of info and miss it, then you have to listen all over again! GRRRR!!!!
 
I love Aspen. At the end of their ATIS broadcasts they always say "RADAR traffic advisories will be given to transponder equipped aircraft only" Is that not a given??????
 
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