PENKO

This aviation video popped up on my feed and it made me wonder, what do the controllers expect from us?
https://fb.watch/qLNCTi-XQx/

I never heard of the term cold call before watching this video, but I think we're all familiar with the practice of stating for example 'London, Bigjet735 request...' before actually transmitting the request. I agree that it might be a good idea to let a controller know you are about to request a complex re-route, or some other non-standard message, but more often than not, I hear fellow pilots cold calling ATC for level changes, directs, headings deviations and other simple day to day stuff.

What's your view on this, as controllers? Is this just a waste of radio time, or does it help you in any way?

SThor

My opinion; it’s a waste of time.

When I hear “request”, I’m reaching for pen and paper to be ready do jot down a possibly complex request…

Anything routine, level change, directs, vectors around weather etc, just say it. Two transmission where one can suffice is a waste of your time and mine.

If I don’t have time I’ll just say “standby”, and please, please, please don’t acknowledge that with “standing by”…

chevvron

Perfectly normal in my 37 years of experience; you should always have pen and paper handy to jot things down.
I once had a pair of DC8s 2000ft apart on top of each other; the lower one (FL330) was directly below the upper one (blips were merged) and must have had it in sight when he suddenly asked 'London Air Canada XXX request FL 370' .
Before I had chance to answer, my support controller immediately said on intercom 'he can have thirty seven if you can get him there' so that's what I did with a minimum of RTF.

SWBKCB

The video is using the phrase 'cold call' in the context of a GA aircraft contacting a new frequency for the first time and where details haven't been passed on - "G-AB free call Toytown on 123.45".

It reflects what I've been taught in the UK although I've not heard it called a cold call - announce yourself to the new controller and they'll either ask you to pass your message or stand-by.

chevvron

We use the word 'freecall' in the UK in this context.

PENKO

Thanks, I did not realize that!

Nimmer

Showing your age again Chevron, electronic strips are the norm at a lot of units now, so a pen and paper not always to hand.

chevvron

True for ATC; I haven't had chance to visit since 2012 due to illness and Covid so I haven't seen how EFPS works however I kept myself 'current' on strips, pen and paper by doing 10 years as a FISO until about 2018.

OvertHawk

I was taught - and it is my current practice and has been for a long time, that if you're calling an agency that is not expecting you - "free-calling" in UK parlance then you open with simply:

Your full callsign and what you're requesting (in simple terms).

eg: G-XXXX requesting Traffic Service and Zone Transit. Depending on circumstances I might also add the point at which i wish to transit via and also whether i'm inbound or transit only. (Requesting Traffic Service and Zone entry via Blogstown inbound to the field)

That's plenty and has seemed to work for me. Complicated explanations of present position, requested route etc just confuse on initial call.

If i've listened to the arrival ATIS and it includes an instruction to report ATIS and QNH on first contact then i add that as well.

Happy to be corrected by a controller. (Although i'll probably keep doing it my way anyway!

First.officer

An interesting one, and I suppose (to some greater, or lesser degree!) that it can be subject to a person's age, locality and individual personality/upbringing(?) - as to whether or not you start merely with a "request" and stop short of stating what that might be. The "rights & wrongs" are of course, another matter and no doubt should be in accordance with whatever enshrined publications and terminologies should be, in an ideal world.

I would suggest that usually any "request" made, is usually not of an urgent nature - and when hearing such calls made - usually the person making the "request", is waiting for a suitable quiet and unflustered point to make as such. Being human beings such as we are, I think in the main we all perhaps (even if subconsciously) like to be courteous, understanding and give the best chance to the receiver of our communications, time to 'prepare' themselves. I get that this isn't seen perhaps as the most exacting, most efficient way possibly in today's 'busy world/airspace' - but if there really isn't a vastly crowded frequency with huge and quick-fire swathes of exchanges occurring, does it really cause issues to have two possible exchanges? merely suggesting of course. I like to think of it sometimes akin to being with a friend perhaps, and already having established a dialogue - would you perhaps not say (assuming you have a request of them) - "Hey, Bob - mind if I ask you something?", as opposed to say "Hey, Bob - I'd like to go straight upstairs with your wife to the bedroom". Okay, every exchange has it's peccadilloes and the example is a little OTT I'll grant - but without overarching reason(s) as stated earlier in my reply here - Is it such a problem?.

kontrolor

what an utter condesending s#$#t! Yeah, poke me on freq so I can put down my coffe mug. What an idiot....
When somebody says its call sign followed by word "request", they do it because an unorthodox question (and 100% non urgent) is going to follow. I always understood this as sign of respect, I reciprote this to the crew when I want to ask them something out of ordinary.