Tower enroute control question

dr650

dr650

Well-Known Member
I had a recent cross country flight from KBUF to KSCH, on the way out with VFR flight following I talked to buffalo first, then rochester, syracuse, griffiss, and finally albany. On the way home, again VFR flight following, I was talking to syracuse approach still about 140 miles from buffalo....the controller asked '8334Y will you be on the Prior ramp (Prior Aviation is where i train out of) in buffalo in about an hour' I stated "affirmative" and he then asked 'would you like runway 23 or 32?' I said I'd take the straight in visual for 32. He said alright make sure you let buffalo know you want 32.' 20 minutes later he handed me off to rochester and then another 20 i was talking with buffalo. I appreciate the guys help but just curious as to why he was asking me that so far out? I mean i still had to be turned over to rochester and then buffalo.
 
That's really interesting. I'm not sure why Syracuse would be asking those questions. Might be interesting to give them a call on the landline and ask.

How are you liking your training at Prior?

Greg
 
Things are going well at Prior, I was able to fly over 12 hours this past week which has to be some kind of record for April in Buffalo. Have to take advantage of the weather here while you can you know? I started my commercial mid march and have about 30 hours towards it.
 
Sounds like the controller working you from Syracuse Approach worked in Buffalo Approach before and is familiar with your callsign.
Just a guess.
 
That controller was just messing with you. They have a lot of time on their hands at SYR in case you didn't notice. And it's not very easy for a SYR controller to talk to a BUF controller when the facilities' airspace is not adjacent. They'd have to look up the phone number in a directory and call via telephone.
 
maybe he was bored.

maybe he was an old BUF guy and was legitimately curious.

maybe he had a friend at BUF and intended to call down the line to let him know. (very doubtful)

maybe he was going to tell you about the construction on RY23 if you requested RY23. you asked for RY32 so it became a non-issue.

who knows. sounds very odd either way.
 
I fly into MEM and no matter what there is one controller that asks me about flying near St. Louis. I have got to find a way to meet him one day. Oh well.
 
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