If you have a conversation with someone, and at he end of it you go your different ways you would probably say ‘Goodbye’ or something similar.
When I transfer aircraft from one frequency to another I usually say ‘Cheerio’ or something similar. Most pilots reply with a similar gesture – except BA into Gatwick!
Most BA pilots do not say ‘goodbye’
Why is that I wonder? Is it a sign of their dissatisfaction with the service I have provided? Have I kept them too high too fast, or too slow and low? Is it because they had too many miles, or a rushed approach? Or is it because the BA operating manual forbids any pleasantries or courtesies?
If I adopt the BA idea and never say ‘goodbye’, when the rest of the pilot fraternity are pleasant and add a farewell phrase to their last transmission it would be rude not to reply, but that means an extra transmission for me, wasting R/T time.
So what should I do?
