Ahhh DCA...
I used to fly in there years ago as a student pilot, great learning experience. (Heck yeah my instructor was with me) About that time, (1989) I also got to visit the tower cab twice. Very impressive. Nobody handles minimum seperation like those folks. They'll have two controllers working local, one talking and the other one handling the strips and helping "spot". (One will be using the binocs while the other eyballs the ASR and vice versa) Kind of a "crew" situation for ATC. I did get to see Sam Skinner (DOT Secretary) get busted when the Lear 35 he was flying turned right instead of left on a north departure. Immediately a phone rang continuously untill answered, with someone wanting to know all the details of who, what when where and why. I remember the local controller laughing that he wanted his time off as he unplugged and briefed the next controller. (I understand they get a few days at home for every pilot deviation or deal in ATC parlance) A much more innocent time.
Once you've been there a few times it gets a little easier and enjoyable. Being very familiar with the local landmarks helps increase your comfort zone, and lastly; brief, brief, brief!
DDpaysoff,
Before they banned us unwashed, unregulated part 135 folks, I would actually fly the DP climb rate in the Lear as specified. I didn't like it a whole lot, and the controllers usually would ask us to increase our rate, sometimes in a not very nice way. Just trying to follow the rules man!