Obidiah, yes I'm a centre controller (ex-FS as it happens - I didn't take Dick's redundo offer :} ).

I'm usually happy with you launching straight into your taxi call. If I'm flat strap it probably helps to pre-empt as I'll might have half a dozen other things to get to first, so take a number :). It's where comms are dubious to pre-empt and establish you have two-way comms before wasting your breath. When you say "IFR" my ears fully switch on and I listen more attentively to remember what you said so I can find your details.

Like NB I'm not fussed either way, although I might start tapping my foot and wondering where to record your shoe size if you're overly long winded and slow with it.

Thanks guys, really appreciate your insights.

From memory also, the books don't require the proliferation of Good mornings, afternoons, evenings, good nights, g'day's, see youse later, thanks, please, cheers. But it stlll happens under the guise of being polite or that everyone from ATC to pilots use these terms. In other words, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em

Interestingly, these niceties - if you choose to call them that - were never in evidence during domestic operations in Australia (apart from Qantas International who copied it from overseas practices) and seemed to come into vogue circa 1989 after foreign carriers flocked to our shores. Suddenly the usually crisp and concise Australian AIP radio procedures vanished from our domestic airwaves to be replaced by superfluous "stuff" which has remained ever since...:ugh: