Short cuts
 

I acknowledge that from time to time we are offered short cuts without requesting them, and of course they are appreciated.

I wonder why it is that when we request them, they are often granted readily, so my question is simply why were they not offered in the first place? Surely this would save us all a lot of time, fuel and carbon emissions?

A simple question usually has a simple answer and i suspect the answer
is "The traffic situation does not always permit it"

Some of the time giving you a short cut will result in us having to make phone calls and coordinate with the military/other sectors/other units* delete as appropriate and we're not always in the position to be have time to do that. It can take you outside controlled airspace which isn't so much of a problem when we're quiet and we can keep an eye out for the 7000 puddle jumpers

Other times, one sector is happy to offer it, but the receiving sector is busy and doesn't want traffic coming from a non-standard direction. when you get busy, non standard stuff is the first thing that goes out of the window - it's easier to cope when everyone is doing what they're supposed to do.

From a personal opinion, if I'm in a position to offer a short cut I will. In terms of asking for one, just use a bit of common sense. If it sounds busy on the RT, then it's unlikely you'll get one, you're also a lot less likely to get one when the military are active especially if you're inbound to Dublin from the CPT direction.

Busy unit or what??
 

can keep an eye out for the 7000 puddle jumpers

I’ve told you a million times don’t exaggerate

We only have 1200 puddle jumpers. :}

At the Maastricht center we usually give shortcuts whenever they are available. It is already many years standard practice to clear traffic coming from London ACC direct to BOMBI, TGO/KRH (depending on military activity), even direct destination EKBI coming from France.

But that depends on the traffic situation ofcourse, eg if you haven 7 mile separation with other AC on standard route, we will not reduce that to zero by given direct. Sometimes we offer the pilots a choice, standard route at requested flight level or direct with step climb.

However, these days pilots ask directs any time of the day. Some have to realize that during day times Monday to Friday, the militaries are active. Therefore asking has no point, we would have given it, if it were available.

:D

nice darts Centurion.

To add on to what "Many Tentacles" has said, since shorter routing can mean multiple liaisons, you also have to introduce the human element. Some ATCO's are simply happier to give and accept shortcuts than others. I always like to know who I'm working with (based 400 miles away) sometimes I know I can shorcut the guys and just put it on the label, other times though, I could request two degrees left and be told, "negative, keep it standard".
First part of me goes :mad::ugh:, but then again, he's completely within his rights to make that decision...