Bexil:
Some of the confusion on reading back a clearance as you describe may be caused by this:
In the US, if we are cleared as filed, then that is it.
No need for each controller to repeat it and the pilots to parrot it back every time we change frequency.
If we are being read a sector clearance, uh, that of course means it must be diffferent from what we filed, and we have to look up the new points, airway etc. (Change in plans)
Does that make sense to you?
Why keep repeating the same clearance if it is already filed, accepted and loaded in the FMC?
I was a bit confused the first few times crossing the pond and entering European airspace, all the UpperTango this and Green/Blue that.
No big deal anymore, but I can see why a new pilot would have problem reading back a clearance that came a bit un-expected.
Not many times have I heard a European controller ask: "Ready to copy?"
Instead they rattle of something long and fast while I am trying to put the breakfast tray away without spilling coffe, then find the pen that fell on the floor and rolled under the seat, grab the chart and look at the route, compare it with the flightplan, then read back the whole thing in 2 seconds.
All at 3 in the morning with no sleep.
It may be easy on the ground 'cause ya keep controlling the same sector over and over again. Pilots can find themselfs over the Atlantic one day and the Pacific next. Even fly around the world in a couple of days. Been there, done that.
Be nice to tired pilots..
