Abusive Controller

[splodge]

How does someone deal with an FAA Air Traffic Controller who is abusive to pilots on a daily basis over the frequency. We are talking about a class D airfield.

This is not a petty complaint. We are used to taking abuse and that is not normally a problem. When every single pilot that comes on frequency has to put up with a bad tempered abusive controller it is something that has to be dealt with. This is especially the case for those of us for which it is a daily work environment.

How can you set up an investigation??

Do you need to record it youself or can you use recordings in place??

What is the process for complaints??

The perpetrator is the Tower Manager on the Airfield so it is not possible to complain locally.

If we need to record proof then does anyone know the best equipment for this??

[Mosspigs]

Aren't all Radio calls taped for enquiry purposes?

If so ask for access.

An abusive controller is another link in the chain that could lead to an accident. A good controller is one that will remove a link.

Whatever the answer, speak to teh CFI and make it official rather than a one man stand.

[Canary Boy]

and make it official - says it all really. Bad temper and abuse over the RT have obvious flight safety implications - you will be failing in YOUR responsibilities if you don't progress an official complaint.

[splodge]

Is the local FSDO the place to make it official??

[Canary Boy]

Splodge,

I should think so. If they feel that there is a more appropriate avenue they will obviously tell you.

Let us know (public or PM - whichever you feel best) what progress you make.

[vector4fun]

I had several witty remarks about management chastising management bouncing around my keyboard, but will restrain myself.



FAA Safety Hotline; (800) 255-1111



http://www.faa.gov/utilities/contactus.cfm

Best of luck...:hmm:

[squibbler]

......and just what exactly constitutes "abuse" in this case? :confused:

Come on, let us know and perhaps we might all be a little more interested in why you're throwing your toys out of the pram....
:rolleyes:

[fernytickles]

Splodge

We have a similar problem at the local airport, but luckily its not the manager. When the person does overstep the mark, we make a written report, ask for the tapes to be pulled and the person is disciplined, not that it has much effect on them, unfortunately. Everyone on the airfield knows who the person is and groans when they are on duty - they are not even competent as a controller. The person's behaviour is putting people off visiting this airport, which must in the long run, affect business for the FBO's and restaurants, etc.

Squibbler - this is not something I ever came across in the UK, but assuming that Splodge is using a different airport to the one I fly out of, that is the third controller I've heard of who is abusive (two of those I have heard myself) in the USA. And by abusive, I don't mean "having a bad day", I mean directly insulting the pilots over the radio, regularly bawling people out over the radio, questioning pilots knowledge of their own airplanes etc, etc. All stuff that if someone said it to you sitting in a bar, you'd probably thump them (verbally or physically) and leave - not really ideal practice on the radio. Its not a case of "throwing your toys out of the pram" - when all the other controllers are people I would consider friends, but one is a prize jerk, there's no reason to start throwing toys around.

Good Luck!

[splodge]

Absolutely...

This is a delicate and sensitive issue.

Safety was becoming an issue where pilots were being shouted at for pointing out conflicting traffic (as if we were telling the controller he wasn't doing his job). Same thing happens about advising that the wrong runway is stated on the ATIS. The worst is when student pilots request a 'say again' and get a bollocking for not listening properly. ATC mistakes are also turned around and pilots blamed for them over the radio.

Now if it was me that was getting the abuse then no problem - I have a thick skin and I can hold my own on the radio. To hear my colleagues and student pilots taking a bashing every single day is too much however. Not a very condusive atmosphere to learn or work.

For now things have quietened down for the first time in weeks. Maybe it is coincidence or maybe this thread has got the message across without having to do anything else. I am keeping my fingers crossed and am hoping for a better working environment between pilots and ATC.

We are all going to work every day like it or not. A cheerful controller who has a smidgen of patience with dumb pilots makes all the difference to that day.

The other option is to go the English way and keep everything totally professional with the same tone of voice no matter what... Standard phraseology at all times. It works.

The US banter can be fun too though...

Tossing the toys out of the pram???

Absolutely!!!