Say reason for change of destination

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pericynthion

Well-Known Member
Part 91 personal flight on "VFR-on-top" IFR flight plan. Halfway through the 3hr flight I asked to change my destination, essentially due to a change of plans about where my passenger and I wanted to stay that night and do the following day. ARTCC asked the reason for my change, which I explained somewhat ungracefully, and had me standby for several minutes before giving me a new clearance ("direct [dest], maintain VFR on top"). Is it standard practice for ATC to ask the reason for a change of destination? Is there some brief way I can explain myself in a similar situation? Neither the original nor new destination was busy or under flow control, they were relatively close to each other, and we were >250nm away when I asked for the diversion.
 
pericynthion said:
Is there some brief way I can explain myself in a similar situation?
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"I'm experiencing a greenish-orange discharge from my penis that smells like onions but tastes like chocolate."


I used to say that when a supe asked why I was calling in sick... it pretty much brought the nosy questions to a halt.
Better you follow TFaudree's advice, though. Less chance for repercussions that way.
 
Ok, when I have a passenger I'll just say it's a passenger request. When I'm solo that won't fly because obviously the controller is going to look up the souls-on-board figure in my flight plan, so I'll use the second suggestion :D
 
This reminds me of something I heard a few months ago up in Northern Michigan talking to Minnie Center:

"Center, N123 would like to change destination to XXX"
"N123, say reason for change of destination?"
"Our passenger has to use the bathroom. BAD."

It was pretty funny. And yeah, they'll ask every single time. I'm not really sure why but they do. Just give a very vague reason as to why (pax request is good) and you're set.
 
N519AT said:
It was pretty funny. And yeah, they'll ask every single time. I'm not really sure why but they do. Just give a very vague reason as to why (pax request is good) and you're set.
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Security. Post-9/11 addition to 7110.65.
 
They don't seem to be asking military aircraft for a reason they're changing destinations... I changed destinations 3 times the other day and besides the "awesome" north east routings they issued, they didn't hassle me.
 
Ian J said:
They don't seem to be asking military aircraft for a reason they're changing destinations... I changed destinations 3 times the other day and besides the "awesome" north east routings they issued, they didn't hassle me.
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The members of the New World Order don't hassle other members of the New World Order.
 
As mentioned above, the DEN has to be notified. The DEN doesn't care. It's just the procedure. Maybe it gets recorded somehow.

I always re-clear the aircraft immediately and let a supe make the DEN call. No need to delay the aircraft. Hope not to find out that's the wrong thing to do.
 
I'd try not to get my nose too far out of joint when asked a simple question like that. There are certainly plenty of cases where pilots needed special assistance but failed to request it for one reason or another.
 
ATC RET 2003 said:
"I'm experiencing a greenish-orange discharge from my penis that smells like onions but tastes like chocolate."


I used to say that when a supe asked why I was calling in sick... it pretty much brought the nosy questions to a halt.
Better you follow TFaudree's advice, though. Less chance for repercussions that way.
Click to expand...

I read this and was still laughing when I finished the thread, if only I was still flying GA/ corp.
 
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