CAT A Compassionate
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Already acted on. I posted no.17 just before I left for work, and I had an email waiting for me from someone at ASCOT Ops when I got to work. 
Thanks for the quick response.
Thanks for the quick response.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: UK
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I'm truely touched by some of the posts here, but to lighten the tone slightly, could we think of a 'code phrase' that indicates this situation, which is easily passed to ATC.......
A starter might be:
'Paris control, good morning. This is ASCOT 379 Heavy and we are declaring SUPERMAN'..... 'Aaar Roger Ascot, standby........... Air France 123 descend Flt Level 230 and turn 235 for clearance of 'Superman' flt' etc etc
would be nice, but can't see it. I think the reason our little system works, is because there really is a team spirit, and when it matters, everyone does that little extra.......
Gives me some hope, but well done, and thank you to anyone who has helped in one of these cases.
Advo
A starter might be:
'Paris control, good morning. This is ASCOT 379 Heavy and we are declaring SUPERMAN'..... 'Aaar Roger Ascot, standby........... Air France 123 descend Flt Level 230 and turn 235 for clearance of 'Superman' flt' etc etc
would be nice, but can't see it. I think the reason our little system works, is because there really is a team spirit, and when it matters, everyone does that little extra.......
Gives me some hope, but well done, and thank you to anyone who has helped in one of these cases.
Advo
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Does'nt matter what the colour of the uniform, I think this is the one area all three services move heaven and earth and work together, and do it so bloody well. I take my hat off to all those involved in Comp A/B's.
Let's hope this area is never tarnished by the never ending cut backs we are all feeling
.
Respect to all.
Best words in a long time
I had loss in my time , for something close to me i hope the same was given i will never know.
Does'nt matter what the colour of the uniform, I think this is the one area all three services move heaven and earth and work together, and do it so bloody well. I take my hat off to all those involved in Comp A/B's.
Let's hope this area is never tarnished by the never ending cut backs we are all feeling
.Respect to all.
Best words in a long time
I had loss in my time , for something close to me i hope the same was given i will never know.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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The RAF continued their support today, with an urgent CAT A VC10 arrival again at Aberdeen. Arrived to transport a Heart down to stansted to be forwarded onto Great Ormond Street. I understand there was a 3 hour deadline. I hope all goes well to the families involved.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cheshire, California, Geneva, and Paris
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I was on duty this morning at London Control Swanwick when the RAF VC10 flew in the airways system from Brize to ABZ and then to STN. We knew it was a medical flight as that was filed with the original flight plan, however an addition to the callsign to alert us to its status is a very good idea. The flight was given numerous direct routings as we assumed that it was a heart transplant flight.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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As a poor humble ex-liney it was always hugely gratifying to know that this system is there, I've helped out once on the other end of it too. It is never too much trouble to get it done.
I truly love the "superman" idea.
I truly love the "superman" idea.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
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Already acted on. I posted no.17 just before I left for work, and I had an email waiting for me from someone at ASCOT Ops when I got to work.
Thanks for the quick response.
Thanks for the quick response.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Well done to all involved, just a shame the outcome wasn't the best this time round.
Having been on the delivering end of several Comp "A/B" flights, I know I ALWAYS looked on it as a;
"Do what I can today, for tomorrow it might be me needing the help!"
situation.
In my experience, ATC have always been extrememly accomodating if/when they are aware of the nature of these flights, and for that I thank them all.
I can only remember 1 occasion where someone got annoyed because of a comp A.
We had just go all 4 running when we were informed a Puma was inbound with a comp A on board. The Puma was 60 minutes out so we shut down and waited. After explaining to the pax what was going on, everyone (except an army colonel) settled down for the duration. The col. in question started threatening all sorts to try to make us depart on schedule, even threatening to call 2 and 3 stars in London. The captain was an old hand, and his reply is one I'll never forget.
"You can call God for all I care, because we aren't going anywhere until that guy is on-board. If you want to be aboard when we do leave, then I suggest you sit down and shut the **** up, Sir."
The col. never did make that phone call!
Long may the system remain untouched and effective, and long may everyone involved keep up the good work.
Having been on the delivering end of several Comp "A/B" flights, I know I ALWAYS looked on it as a;
"Do what I can today, for tomorrow it might be me needing the help!"
situation.
In my experience, ATC have always been extrememly accomodating if/when they are aware of the nature of these flights, and for that I thank them all.
I can only remember 1 occasion where someone got annoyed because of a comp A.
We had just go all 4 running when we were informed a Puma was inbound with a comp A on board. The Puma was 60 minutes out so we shut down and waited. After explaining to the pax what was going on, everyone (except an army colonel) settled down for the duration. The col. in question started threatening all sorts to try to make us depart on schedule, even threatening to call 2 and 3 stars in London. The captain was an old hand, and his reply is one I'll never forget.
"You can call God for all I care, because we aren't going anywhere until that guy is on-board. If you want to be aboard when we do leave, then I suggest you sit down and shut the **** up, Sir."
The col. never did make that phone call!
Long may the system remain untouched and effective, and long may everyone involved keep up the good work.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Exiled in England
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Moose, ROTFLMFAO. I think that spiel should be handed to every captain. That is the perfect way to deal with jumped-up REMF, arse swinging muppets. Shame they are getting more and more prevalent.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Thanks for Thanks
Thanks guys we do our best, but we only do the first checks and authorise the category, although that can be tricky on occasion. The unsung heroes are the team in DSCOM Comp Travel Cell who move aircraft/aircrew around (as an ex-Air Traffiker I used to think I did that but not like the DSCOM team!), get wheels fixed to pick up at airports etc.
We all know how important it is, some of us have used it in the past.
HGW
We all know how important it is, some of us have used it in the past.
HGW
