Originally Posted by
jasonrf
Random topic up for discussion or your views would be appreciated
What do you think makes the airline industry have amazing radio etiquette and professionalism?
Would it be the training provided? The professionalism/ideology held in aviation? Comes down to the person?
And do you think if you aren't professional on the 2-way how can it be instilled into a person?
Thank you
I'd say the ongoing sim checks and standardisation. Try some of the truckie UHF banter on a sim check and see how well you do. If you wouldn't do it in the box, you won't do it on the line. Usually. Pilots are usually fairly sensible and safe operators by their nature, and when told to do something 'for safety reasons' (ie standardised radio phrases and the like), readily accept that as part of their SOP's.
That being said, there
is a place for a 'relaxed but not unsafe' culture on the radio where situations permit, but it needs to be tempered with caution, in my experience. Those ATC'ers are usually a damn sight faster-thinking than yours truly, so it's pretty hard to get one over on 'em if you're gonna have a lark, but simple politeness "BN CTR,
good morning Alpha Bravo Charlie maintaining FL170" costs nothing except an extra second of airtime, even though it's not in the AIP. "Center on 123.75, 'ave a good one, g'day" likewise. "BN CTR Alpha Bravo Charlie
request...." again, not strictly in accordance with the AIP, but it lets the ACTO get ready for a 'non-standard' phrase about to come their way and can avoid you having to repeat it, and if your request is granted, a
thank you with your acknowledgement is deserved. Again, not per the AIP, but it takes all of 1 second and lets the lass/lad at the other end know you're appreciative of their efforts.
The concern
I have is if they're not professional enough on the radio, what
else in their role aren't they taking seriously - and how do you police it? The ATCO's don't have the time to 'dob in' every unprofessional weekend warrior on the radio, and even in a two-crew operation, no one wants to be 'that person' who dobs in their fellow crewmember.