Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Misc. Forums > Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)
Reload this Page >

BA Pilots, are they really...

Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner) If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.

BA Pilots, are they really...

Old 29th Sep 2016, 22:18
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 706
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
BA Pilots, are they really...

...so rude and snotty with ATC personnel ?

Seems to be a lot of recorded ATC chatter featuring BA pilots being sarcastic and even cynical with controllers - is that an unfair representation ?
Fonsini is offline  
Old 29th Sep 2016, 22:46
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dublin
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They do fancy themselves, so they do...

Its always someone else's fault;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFUZ6oHBft4
unusualAtitude is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 00:10
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: BHX
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You dont get British humour ......
Brigantee is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 06:45
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 15,788
Received 196 Likes on 90 Posts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias
DaveReidUK is online now  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 07:40
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: jersey
Age: 74
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Fonsini
...so rude and snotty with ATC personnel ?

Seems to be a lot of recorded ATC chatter featuring BA pilots being sarcastic and even cynical with controllers - is that an unfair representation ?
It's a while (9 years) since I last "controlled" a BAW pilot, but I can categorically state that, in my experience, this is a load of complete nonsense. Whichever walk of life you choose you will always come across people who are "rude, or snotty" at times. BAW pilots have always impressed me with their civility & professionalism - as have pilots from all other airlines. I can only recall one occasion with a pilot who had an aversion to the growing influence of computers in ATC ( something that he did not realize my sympathetic feelings), when rudeness , irascibility & snottiness came to the fore. He flew for, what was at the time, a very minor UK, niche airline. Other than this one occasion, he was a very likable & civil gentleman. Everyone can have an "off day"!
kcockayne is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 07:57
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 6,545
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
.. to be a lot of recorded ATC chatter featuring BA pilots being sarcastic and even cynical with controllers - is that an unfair representation ?
Yes, it is an unfair representation and certainly a generalisation - but then I'm biased.

You say you've listened to recorded chat,: first question would be the source of the recording..is there just a tiny tiny chance that chatter was edited for effect (just like your average reality TV programme where the non confrontational stuff ends up on the editing room floor).

Perhaps it might be worth listening to 24 hours unedited chatter from the likes of LHR ( note:there health warnings elsewhere about that)...and then giving your opinion, or failing that get the opinion of a controller...which you've had..

kockayne- thanks for your kind words.....
wiggy is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 08:39
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: jersey
Age: 74
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
No problem, wiggy. 38 years in ATC & I had very, very few "run ins" with pilots - less than the fingers on one hand. I have always been impressed by the co-operation between pilots & ATC - including PPLS. We are both there to help each other in keeping the system safe, flexible, efficient & friendly. As far as ATC is concerned, & I spent the mass majority of my time controlling in Class A; the real stars are those doing such an incredible job in very busy Class G airspace. I take my hat off to them ! Maybe they might get the pay rise which they deserve.
kcockayne is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 08:55
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: By the big Teapot
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
I had a very similar career period to kcockayne working for the last 20 years at Manchester airport where we had both BA and the now long gone BA Regional. Never, at any time have I ever encountered any issues with British Airways crews. I can't really see where the OP is getting this impression from. I also had very, very few 'disagreements' with pilots but I do remember that the old Britannia Airways could be hard work on occassion, but we are going back to the last century there!

Now I DO feel old!
Spiney Norman is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 09:06
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree - 31 years at Heathrow and LATCC and no problems. I was party to a conversation between ATC and a BA pilot who overstepped the mark. The controller said: "Care to step outside and say that?"
HEATHROW DIRECTOR is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 10:19
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: FL370
Age: 38
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I moved back to the UK and joined BA about 15 months ago. In that time I've heard one mildly heated exchange on ATC between the controller and BA. Prior to joining BA I flew in the US. It seldom seemed a week or two would go by without an angry word, snide comment or full on slanging match taking place between pilots and controllers, particularly at ORD or EWR.
EMB-145LR is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 10:34
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Soon to be out of the EU.
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You get them in all airlines.

Had a TCX guy arguing and questioning ATC in PMI as to why the ground controller sent an aircraft a particular way.

Whilst the other 50 or so aircraft on the ground with rapidly approaching slot times struggled to get a word on frequency, this moron was insisting on questioning every move - and he was still stuck at the gate.
HeartyMeatballs is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 11:23
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 6,545
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
EMB ah, yep, that reminds me..the last full scale slanging match I heard over the R/T was about a year back between PHL ramp and one of the locals. When we were handed off to ground I think the debate was headed for overtime so we never knew who won.......

HeartyMeatballs..yep, the 10% are ..... rule is pretty universal,
wiggy is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 17:32
  #13 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 706
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I just flew back to Phoenix on BA0289, so I guess I'd better not mention the cabin crew then

(They were awesome by the way ).
Fonsini is offline  
Old 30th Sep 2016, 17:55
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The days of BA being true Nigels are fast diminishing - it's a broad church
FANS is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.