BA polite pilot??
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8
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From: nr Cambridge
BA polite pilot??
If you have a conversation with someone, and at he end of it you go your different ways you would probably say ‘Goodbye’ or something similar.
When I transfer aircraft from one frequency to another I usually say ‘Cheerio’ or something similar. Most pilots reply with a similar gesture – except BA into Gatwick!
Most BA pilots do not say ‘goodbye’
Why is that I wonder? Is it a sign of their dissatisfaction with the service I have provided? Have I kept them too high too fast, or too slow and low? Is it because they had too many miles, or a rushed approach? Or is it because the BA operating manual forbids any pleasantries or courtesies?
If I adopt the BA idea and never say ‘goodbye’, when the rest of the pilot fraternity are pleasant and add a farewell phrase to their last transmission it would be rude not to reply, but that means an extra transmission for me, wasting R/T time.
So what should I do?
When I transfer aircraft from one frequency to another I usually say ‘Cheerio’ or something similar. Most pilots reply with a similar gesture – except BA into Gatwick!
Most BA pilots do not say ‘goodbye’
Why is that I wonder? Is it a sign of their dissatisfaction with the service I have provided? Have I kept them too high too fast, or too slow and low? Is it because they had too many miles, or a rushed approach? Or is it because the BA operating manual forbids any pleasantries or courtesies?
If I adopt the BA idea and never say ‘goodbye’, when the rest of the pilot fraternity are pleasant and add a farewell phrase to their last transmission it would be rude not to reply, but that means an extra transmission for me, wasting R/T time.
So what should I do?
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,575
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From: UK
ybag - where do you work, if you are near Cambridge? I cannot say I have heard you on any of the London sectors, but in my experience there is a reasonable amount of 'goodwill' chat, less from us if we sense you are busy - ie a continous stream of instructions to a/c!
I'll listen out for you. I think we all rate the UK guys and girls as 'tops'.
I'll listen out for you. I think we all rate the UK guys and girls as 'tops'.
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brisbane, Australia
Maybe when the BA pilots are flying in OZ they're just so happy to be here that they always sound so friendly.
Generally find that nearly all pilots, whatever the company, will say "gidday" when the ATC initiates. Many say it anyway.
I also agree with Arkady that when workload increases, pleasantries decrease.
Generally find that nearly all pilots, whatever the company, will say "gidday" when the ATC initiates. Many say it anyway.
I also agree with Arkady that when workload increases, pleasantries decrease.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 196
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From: UK
being in the tower at gatwick i reckon most pilots are pretty friendly, the ba ones no different - altho i can only speak from two weeks experience!
i'm still training at the mo so pleasantries are minimal, sorry guys and girls gotta keep that r/t slick for the validation board...
i'm still training at the mo so pleasantries are minimal, sorry guys and girls gotta keep that r/t slick for the validation board...
Sub Judice Angel Lovegod
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: London
From the other side of the fence I always start "London Good Morning G-LIZZ" and always finish with "G-ZZ to 132.7 thanks bye" and I find most controllers do the equivalent, except London TMA who seem to stick by the book and never shorten a call sign and never say hello or good-bye.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: nr Cambridge
BOAC Quote ''where do you work, if you are near Cambridge? ''
I work at Ltcc on Essex/EGSS and EGKK so you probably have spoken to me but you wouldn't know.
It's interesting that someone thinks the TMA don't say 'hello or goodbye' I work along side these guys and I haven't noticed that
I won't take the lack of farewell gesture personally, and continue to give one myself!!
I work at Ltcc on Essex/EGSS and EGKK so you probably have spoken to me but you wouldn't know.
It's interesting that someone thinks the TMA don't say 'hello or goodbye' I work along side these guys and I haven't noticed that
I won't take the lack of farewell gesture personally, and continue to give one myself!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: nr Cambridge
No BOAC that is TMA, I work only SFD outbounds on 08, or non-standards like early turns for the 'light a/c' and go-arounds etc. My main job is all the inbounds on 26, APP and Final director.
On EGSS I control all inbounds, all west-bound departures and the odd eastbound, and all of the Luton traffic that comes in through Lorel.
PS Actually, after further discussion we reckon Gee Bee are pretty mean with their courtesies, must be the BA link!!
On EGSS I control all inbounds, all west-bound departures and the odd eastbound, and all of the Luton traffic that comes in through Lorel.
PS Actually, after further discussion we reckon Gee Bee are pretty mean with their courtesies, must be the BA link!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 376
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From: london
A big thank you to the LGW director on 126.525 and 118.95 for yesterdays sterling performance between 16.45 and 17.30 local when the thunderstorms and heavy rain were causing chaos, nothing seemed like to much trouble for them
Next time I'll try and say G'day
Next time I'll try and say G'day
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: UK
Nae wurries, ybag - in the true interests of 'CRM' I shall beat my F/O around the swede should he not respond in kind
It is certainly NOT
It is certainly NOT
Is it a sign of their dissatisfaction with the service I have provided? Have I kept them too high too fast, or too slow and low? Is it because they had too many miles, or a rushed approach?
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: UK
Well, ybag - time to chuck this shuttlecock back over the net!
I must have said 'goodbye', thank you or likewise to several of our UK ATC colleagues last night (2470/2471) and as I recall, only the LGW director and tower responded in like fashion.
I must have said 'goodbye', thank you or likewise to several of our UK ATC colleagues last night (2470/2471) and as I recall, only the LGW director and tower responded in like fashion.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 573
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From: Near Gatwick
Maybe they were busy BOAC!
I have an occasional listen to the Worthing Sector and the Guys and Girls there are very friendly ,saying hello and goodbye to 90% of traffic.
Most BA/GB are polite that Ive heard --Swiss Air seem to sound the happiest--Alitalia the loudest!!
I have an occasional listen to the Worthing Sector and the Guys and Girls there are very friendly ,saying hello and goodbye to 90% of traffic.
Most BA/GB are polite that Ive heard --Swiss Air seem to sound the happiest--Alitalia the loudest!!
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 215
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From: Moon
Hello and goodbye are fine ,however I was a bit put off last month when after along debate about conflicting flightplans I managed to sort out the route of a French "Regional" airline from EGPD, and the male pilot responded with "thank you Scottish you are beautiful" very unsettling, maybe something got lost in translation and how did he know 
AyrTC.
PS I will MOR any BAW KK crew who feel this should be the new way to thank Scottish
AyrTC.
PS I will MOR any BAW KK crew who feel this should be the new way to thank Scottish
