MXP Ground: XXX123, standby for push and start clearance.
 

My question is: Do I have to readback anything for the above transmission? or simply wait for ATC to contact me again?


Is it true that it is incorrect to reply "standing-by" every time a controller says standby?


Basically my Captain seemed very irritated that I didn't give a reply to the above trasnmition, but my understanding is that ATC has neither approved or dennied anything and that I should wait for them to contact me.


Thanks for contribution.

This is different from being simply told "XXX123, Standby" - which means, "Wait, I will call you"..

You're essentially being given information and IMHO it deserves a "roger" at least. There is no official reply, but the controller is waiting for at least the briefest of acknowledgements so he can move on to the next task.

If I tell an aircraft to 'standby' I expect him to say nowt, I'm APP Radar, but from Ground days a decade ago, 'twas the same.

Usually its because I'm on an inter-unit cold/hot line co-ordinating something.

You'd be a right berk if you blotted out some vital emergency aircraft co-ord I'm in the middle of doing with a neighbouring sector (or for example in Ground's case ambulance or emergency vehicle requirements for an aircraft only 40 trackmiles or 11mins awy) with "standing-by ABC123".

timelapse
standby, means "wait I will call you", I am not a mind reader so never guess what ATC meant to say

assuming the message was in reply to a request for push and start then I would expect you to give some acknowledgment if only to reassure me that you are not going to continue to ask for something I cannot let you do at this time!
although I would normally give the reason as to why not so as to clarify

First of all, it is MXP ground, so nobody really can know what they mean :)

More seriously, as above, a straight "Standby" is clear - no reply, I'm busy. But with further info, as above, I would treat it as needing a reply, and then await them to call back.

Similarly, with say an engine problem on takeoff, I might declare "C/S Pan x 3, Engine Failure, Standby" and I would expect no or little reply... (but bet I would get one!) not "The weather is this, contact XYZ, how many PoB". But "C/S Pan x 3, Engine Failure, Standby for intentions" I would expect to be acknowledged... ;) i.e. the Standby refers to a particular item that is being awaited, not a general "keep quiet, I'm busy" :ugh:

NoD

NigelOnDraftNicely explained, thank you, understood from my side, wouldn't it be great if this was standarised?

In the UK you would not get this problem as they would clearly ask you to : " Hold Position , and stby for push and start" Forcing you for an acknowlegment and not leaving any space for doubts

Imagine if I have 8 in the APP pattern on my freq, surrounding sector hits the line with "details" of a possible emerg diversion, I transmit "all stations standby" in reply to the first "approaching FLxxx, ABC" so I can get the info and see if we are good for it.

What if I get "standing-by ABC"..."standing-by DEF" etc etc etc?

Can I transmit "allstations, shut the **** up, I'm busy with something more important"?

When Nigel calls pan...standby or just standby we give him some silence regarding his callsign. Ditto in reverse.

Point well made Bill, still think in THAT instance it deserved a 'roger' at least, even a click on the PTT seems to be enough in situations where a 'roger' or 'affirm' are all that is required.........

Bill - you can always say "all stations stop transmitting" as you might do if you have an emergency actually on your frequency.

In answer to the original question I also think that "roger" is the correct response. This means "I have received your last transmission" which is all you want to say really.

A bit of common sense might help...if you hear the freq is busy,don t worry about saying "standing by XXX123"..

if the freq is not busy I would ,as a pilot,just quickly reply,at least to let ATC know that u got the STBY message...

Yeah, good points gents, one and all.

I was just having a wee rant because there are few on the other side of the mike think that if I've gone quiet its because I'm doing the crossword.

If I remember Uberlingen correctly, the German sector was trying to get to the Swiss sector to give him a heads-up about the events unfolding...but the lines were down.

...anyway, maybe I look doing the crossword mid-morning, whilst my buddies are slowing and stacking the tubes.;)

All I'd expect is "XXX123"