Ok Jet pilots, I have an ATC-Pilot Question

[Vector4Food]

I used to love messing around with the Toronto guys.

ATC: Flagship 5800, descent and maintain flight level 290.

Me: Descend flight level 290, Flagship 5800.

ATC: Flagship 5800, roger.

Me: Roger.

ATC: Roger.

Me: Roger.

And so on, and so on.

Hahaha... I get this a lot from US carrier guys I've talked to, the problem is we north of the border are required to acknowledge that your readback was correct, I know it probably sounds asinine but we're just following our rules, superflouous or not we're supposed to, trust me we don't want to spend anymore time on the radio than you do.

That being said adding the "Flagship" before "roger" is not needed, I just say "Roger".

 

[Vector4Food]

While most pilots like the "heading in the right direction" feeling, a vector is generally the more efficient (not to mention quicker) solution. The problem getting a speed change from Moncton is that if you get the handoff to BOS center, even with a mention of the speed restriction you get a "roger" and the reduction basically becomes permanent instead of the intended 30 minute spacing reduction. Most westbound US flag carriers would prefer to keep going fast as its the going home leg.... keeps us higher longer as well if can obtain the proper spacing sooner. BOS only descends us early when spacing is still an issue, they are very good about that with the JFK arrivals.

The problem we often run into, is that it's often the TMU in BOS which initiates the spacing scenarios, sometimes the BOS controllers don't even know we're doing it! That's been changed recently, I can say that the speed restriction we give you, sometimes Boston needs to make the spacing even bigger, and/or sometimes are blending two of our JFK streams into one over ENE or PLYMM, so they often take what we've done, then add vectors, or further speed control.

We have been told that you JFK guys, if we move you for traffic/spacing, we are to descend you especially if the JFK streams for the day are crossing the EWR streams, since depending on the scenario as you well know can make a mess during descent phase. They usually want to send the EWR stuff over the top of the JFK guys, so it's not that we love Continental guys anymore than Delta or American

 

[Vector4Food]

I prefer direct.

Speed change add-on vote.

My favourite is one of our controllers asked a pair of F-15's coming out of an AR to do their best rate for traffic to FL380.

Target coasted for a few moments out of FL285 and reappeared a couple of miles down line at FL380.

 

[derg]

Hahaha... I get this a lot from US carrier guys I've talked to, the problem is we north of the border are required to acknowledge that your readback was correct, I know it probably sounds asinine but we're just following our rules, superflouous or not we're supposed to, trust me we don't want to spend anymore time on the radio than you do.

That being said adding the "Flagship" before "roger" is not needed, I just say "Roger".

See, I never knew that, but I've always wondered why!

"Gander Radio Delta one two six SELCAL A F K B"

*booo beeeeep*

*bong"

"SELCAL checks good, Delta one two six...."

"Gander..."

 

[Vector4Food]

It's strange sounding I can imagine coming from the US where they don't, but the whole idea is a layer of safety, by confirming the readback was correct.

I guess the American way of doing it, the no response from the controller is supposed to be the affirmation of a proper readback.

 

[cessnaxdriver]

Speed change.......

 

[granlistillo]

Speed change
The other day we got a vector and then sped up for spacing... Still scratching my head on that one.

 

[Vector4Food]

Speed change
The other day we got a vector and then sped up for spacing... Still scratching my head on that one.

Common scenario to the above:

1.)757
2.)747 5NM in trail
3.) 757 25NM in trail

No way can you make a 757 fly fast enough to stay in front of a 747, so the simple ATC story is, keep the fast guys flying fast, the slow guys slow, but in your case (this is just a plausible example)

Turn the lead aircraft off course, let the 747 do the "Blew-by-You", then turn you back on course, but now you have minimal spacing with the other 757, so speed you up to keep you in front of the other 757 effectively.