As a regular user of "your" services under IFR, I have never had rose tinted spectacles.
You do however do a great disservice to the ATC proffession.......
Making it clear to PPL's that you won't provide a service rather than giving advice on what they should consider doing is just plain arrogant.
As IO540 rightly points out while people defend outdated navigation methods in a piss poor PPL sylabus and controllers show your lack of tolerance we will continue to have busts.
At least most of the time I go over you not under.
Originally Posted by
AlanM
You and others are IGNORANT to what ATC at approach units in the south east actually does.
They are not there to provide people with a RIS when it is 40kms and Sky Clear (people ask daily). That is the job of a LARS unit. The fact that there is NOT eough LARS cover for busy airspace is not the fault of these approach units. Perhaps you should vent your anger at the poorly trained PPLs who call us daily who lead us to dislike GA more and more. (or the CAA for not funding LARS)
And no I and other ATCers don't neccessarily hate GA. F ar from it in fact. It can be a pleasure to work and help people who have a modicom of common sense.
We hate idiots who cannot avoid some airspace, don't appreciate the strain on the system or expect the earth for nothing.
Frankly I don't care what you think of me.... sorry to have ruined your rose tinted spectacle view of me or UK ATC!
Kirstey, the point is that I can call the traffic and the IFR traffic STILL takes an RA. So why bother calling me! Especially as 70% of the traffic know not to bother as we are too busy. If everyonecalled we could give accurate Traff Info.
(Not an invitation for everyone to call!!!)
So - why not:
1. Listen out on the frequenecy and gauge how busy the unit is first. If you here "Number four on standby" and you are not inbound to the zone or prepared to hold then just carry on outside CAS.
2. If you are that unsure as to your track keeping when flying 1/4 mile form the zone boundary, and the freq is busy why not just MONITOR the freq! You will get the feel of the traffic sceanrio. Also, I make blind calls on the freq if I see something come into the zone without authorisation.
Stay safe!