Just a question from a frustrated ATCer...
When did readbacks and callsign readbacks with clearences become optional? and why when a/c hold inbound to dubai do they not listen out for instructions about decent heading holding etc?
I ask this as the last night shift I worked there were over 80 times I had to chase a/c up for a readback or a callsign with the readback. It may sound like a trivial thing but with emirates gulfair saudia etc etc all operating similar numbered callsigns at the same time on the same route confusion is very easy. Scary to think of the consequecnes if decent issued to UAE19 only to have UAE9 (being held up due traffic below) read it back with no callsign..... As far as not listening during the sequence not only does it increase the workload of the atc but also holds up the other a/c behind and above you. Having to chase an a/c 8 times for decent/vectors is not only frustrating but dangerous as well.
This is a serious question I want to find out about and not "having a go" a pilots. I understand that some ATC can be very lax when it comes RT and that needs to be sorted out as well. But that can be sorted out by leaning across to the guy next to me and getting a readback etc. Bit harder to do with the airlines as other then here we have no real way to find out things.
And before we hop on the "must be the rusian/asian/middle eastern language problem" of the 83 times I had to get a readback or a callsign with the readback 70 of them were from english/australian/americian/canadian etc pilots. The others were were middle eastern pilots. russian/asian were best. Again this is not a dig at pilots but a genuine concern for your future and my licence..
thanks
