The unicom police

Augh!

Why do guys tell ATC that? It tells ATC and the aircraft that you're told to look out for nothing at all.

Besides, "Traffic, three o clock" means "Look out of your freaking window", not put down the USAToday and look at your TCAS.
 
Augh!

Why do guys tell ATC that? It tells ATC and the aircraft that you're told to look out for nothing at all.

Besides, "Traffic, three o clock" means "Look out of your freaking window", not put down the USAToday and look at your TCAS.

If the average pilot had any idea at all of what "traffic in sight" means for a controller and what kind of options it opens up for them, they would be embarrassed at themselves for saying they've got it on TCAS.

I wish a controller would shoot back with "thanks, but that doesn't help me out any and it isn't what I asked you for."
 
Augh!

Why do guys tell ATC that? It tells ATC and the aircraft that you're told to look out for nothing at all.

Besides, "Traffic, three o clock" means "Look out of your freaking window", not put down the USAToday and look at your TCAS.
I actually had a MIA controller ask me if I had traffic once. I said "negative contact". He shot back, "do you have him on TCAS"? "Yes". "Okay, traffic 12 O'clock, 5 miles, turn left base cleared visual." The Captain and I looked at each other dumbfounded. He actually issued a clearance with the "fish finder"!!

True story. Quotes may not be verbatim, but you get the picture.
 
Howabout "looking for traffic"

In the AIM you're supposed to say "Negative Contact" if you don't see traffic that ATC calls.

This is one I wish the FAA would change. "Negative contact" sounds so lazy. Especially when tower keeps trying to point out the traffic.

"Traffic one o'clock four miles same altitude."
"Negative contact."
"Traffic now twelve o'clock two miles."
"Negative contact."
"Traffic passing off your left no factor."
"Roger."

This is where I picture the pilot reading his USA Today, expecting the tower to keep traffic clear of him.

"Looking for traffic" sounds so much more proactive, and though it's not in the AIM, I encourage my students to say it because hopefully if they say it, they're more likely to do it.


P.S. "Last call" sounds dumb.
 
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