Huggy,
Afraid I have to agree with Stan about your attitude towards ATC in a few recent threads - it really comes across as quite arrogant and superior, disappointing given your previous position.
I think we are both of the same opinion that better two way communication is highly desirable between ATCOs and pilots (not just on the RT) - and having organised two pilot/ATCO forums in recent years only to have a very poor turnout (from
both sides), I'm almost tempted to admit defeat in trying to achieve this goal on a wider basis, instead endeavouring to further my knowledge through fam flights and liason with crews, in the hope I can pass the experience onto my trainees.
Sept 11th has curtailed the practice in more ways than one. I was recently booked on a flight and upon boarding found I knew the captain when he did a PA, but not wishing to cause problems or potentially alarm other passengers by entering the flightdeck (following a request with the cabin crew of course), thought it best just to stay in my seat. The type was an EMB145 - I'd never been on one before and given the increasing number of them in the UK, it could have been very educational to me - but this is the dilemma we are faced with.
Ironically the last jump seat I did in the summer was on a Gill ATR into NCL - how 'bout that.
