Originally Posted by
GA Driver
.... It looks pretty tight, so we comply promptly and then get asked to sight the heavy on a 3 mile final. Ok, traffic sighted.
Then it comes..... Roger, maintain own separation, cleared visual approach, contact tower, ciaaaaao.
This instruction to maintain own separation doesn't actually give US any more track miles, in fact it can make things a royal PIA. Ontop of the approach, we're trying to shed energy, make a 'square turn on to final' and now trying to stay behind something that we're probably already too close to anyway. It can add a bit of workload at a busy time. ...
When you call 'Traffic Sighted' YOU are initiating the transfer of responsibility for traffic separation (ie workload) from ATC to yourself. Solution: Don't call Traffic Sighted (even if it is).