"Err... Roger that Memphis Center... Sorry 'bout that."

[ATCER]

I know what you're saying Ravengirl. I've got two friends that work ATC in the SAN area. (One at SAN one at CRQ). Both are trying to get to LAX TRACON. They're on the list.............no money to get them there.


AF

Good point... it's not just hiring... ALL movement inside the agency has ground to a stop.

I think it's the ATO that has stalled things a bit... all these new managers of the new regions are not going to approve a thing until they know what they are running and how much $$$ they have to do it.

 

[ATCER]

CameronW,

Sir, I agree with RP, you are indeed a real gentleman !

Regards,
FD

I second that, CameronW... you've handled this very well and I have no doubt that you'll get this ironed out. For those following along I PM'd him some conctact info for ZME and basically told him what you guys have said here, try and make a site visit, talk to the controllers and see what the problems might be.

I agree that there is no excuse for yelling at a pilot on frequency, but I will add that once you make a visit to the facility you'll see there is a lot going on at any given sector.

Don't take it personal !

Keep us updated.

 

[CWASaab]

Cameron,

With that said, if you don't want to transmit on victor, why not transmit on victor but listen on uniform? This way, you can cut down on the "blocked" responses but at the same time, utilize your reasoning for talking on uniform. Just a thought.

Sam

Since no one else has jumped on this yet, I think I will. Listening on uniform and transmitting on victor is a nice idea to make life better for CameronW, but will not work. It would probably make matters worse, as the BUFF guys will have no idea who might be transmitting on victor, and would likely end up stepping on an Airline/GA transmission. I think the best victor radio solution would be to tx and rx on one radio.

*As an aside I once had the pleasure of having an MSP Center controller just about lose it because some GA guy had been using two radios, one to talk to center and one to monitor CTAF in EAU. When cleared off center freq. the guy failed to change tx to CTAF yet managed to turn down the volume of ATC. He kept transmitting his position, and asking other aircraft he was hearing on CTAF for updates on their positions, all on MSP center's primary freq. for getting airplanes sequenced over an arrival gate. The guy was probably wondering why no one at EAU would respond to him. I eventually got his attention on the CTAF freq. and let him know what he was doing, but it took a while and in the meantime those of us with red tails were trying to fit several hundred airplanes into MSP in as little time as possible, and the radios just squeled as the guy reported entering downwind and stepped on another instruction from the poor controller.

I think the best advice has come from Tony C. and those with similar suggestions: open the lines of communication.

All that being said, I just this week found myself turning to the other guy in the cockpit and commenting on the possibility of traffic levels being back to near all time highs as we transversed a Chicago Center sector worked by a controller with an abnormally high stress level. Maybe it is just the summer schedules, but it seems like we are finished with the slack we have seen since the fall of '01. I think those on both ends of the radio would be well served to keep this in mind, and try to be patient. Otherwise the next few years could be pretty rough.

 

[PHX767]

Cameron,

When I was at 8AF HQ we had a civil service FAA liason guy on the DOO staff. He was a great help on a number of issues. Maybe he can spread oil on the water. The wing DO shop will have a guy that can call him. Then there are those periodic ATC meetings, your tower guys may be of use there.

Just as everyone else suggested, use VHF when possible, then go to UHF for the tactical portion.

We used to get them all grumbly when we wanted random air refueling with a 2,000 foot block everywhere we went. They'll get over it.

 

[Flyin Tony]

I Love the B-52

and i have only had a few run in's with ATC, but now most of them know me because I fly with them everyday at 6:00 and most of the time get the same guys and girl on Socal and Josha. But they do kinda get mad when I ask them if i can get a IFR well im just out side of the LAX B airspace. But that i can understand.

Dont know if this helped any

 

[100LL... Again!]

Try this phrase:


"Say operating initials"

Might work.

 

[Sam Fisher]

Since no one else has jumped on this yet, I think I will. Listening on uniform and transmitting on victor is a nice idea to make life better for CameronW, but will not work. It would probably make matters worse, as the BUFF guys will have no idea who might be transmitting on victor, and would likely end up stepping on an Airline/GA transmission. I think the best victor radio solution would be to tx and rx on one radio.

Oops,

I totally meant to write what you wrote. I switched them up. What I meant to say was just that - transmit on uniform but listen on victor. Must have written that one late. Good catch.

Sam

 

[Dubya]

Pisss and Cheerios?

350....milk is much better in Cheerios.

Cameron...good topic, excellent, professional posts.

W