ATC Clocks only have 00-15-30-45

[DX Jake]

Why is it... especially in this day where fuel is so expensive... do controllers only give EFC times of 15-30-45 and on the hour. It's ridiculous when a flight stresses out after being told his EFC time is 30 minutes, and he only held for 5 minutes for a runway change or something petty. I understand the controller is covering his a$$, but way too many flights are bugging out to their alternate for no reason.

To whom it may concern, plz add the rest of the numbers to the clock in an ATC facility.

 

[scar1900]

How many times have you actually held unitl your EFC? Or until your EFC without any updates? I think its mostly a lost comm issue.

 

[PanPan]

Maybe its where you are flying. The ghetto (ATL) givs exact efc's, :27, :53, :11, etc.

 

[geshields]

Why is it... especially in this day where fuel is so expensive... do controllers only give EFC times of 15-30-45 and on the hour. It's ridiculous when a flight stresses out after being told his EFC time is 30 minutes, and he only held for 5 minutes for a runway change or something petty. I understand the controller is covering his a$$, but way too many flights are bugging out to their alternate for no reason.

To whom it may concern, plz add the rest of the numbers to the clock in an ATC facility.

We get the odd times....i.e. :07, :13, etc.

 

[Mike man]

Why divert before bingo fuel?

 

[ATLDRVR]

EFC is only given in case there is a comm failure. The EFC has nothing to do with how long ATC is going to hold you.

 

[DX Jake]

so then what do you call the release time in holding ???

 

[Sam Snead]

My understanding is the reason the AIM asks for 'report time entering and leaving hold' is to update the controller (should they want the info, example no RADAR), and to cross check that your clock is correct.

I think all the 'reporting' stuff is basically a throwback to the days before decent RADAR. In some cases, back in the day, you were not talking to a controller on the radio; the messages were being relayed somehow and the time report was necessary because your message would be "old" by the time it got to the actual controller.

Disclaimer: I am not a controller.

Now would someone please quote the AIM already!

 

[ATLDRVR]

EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE (TIME)- The time a pilot can expect to receive clearance beyond a clearance limit.

This is from the pilot/controller glossary. I guess I was wrong and it is the time you should be cleared out of the hold.

Beyond that definition the AIM does not say much about EFCs.

 

[81Horse]

> ... it is the time you should be cleared out of the hold.

It doesn't mean anything, really -- unless and until there is a loss of comm; then, you should depart the clearance limit (holding fix) at the EFC time; if holding at a fix from which an approach commences, you'd be issued an Expect Approach Clearance time, and should depart that fix and commence the approach at the EAC time.

Controllers are not supposed to park you at a clearance limit without an EFC or EAC -- again, in the event of lost comm.

 

[Wingsweep]

Not True

Why is it... controllers only give EFC times of 15-30-45 and on the hour.

I received two EFC's Saturday for 20min and 50min past the hour... ws