JFK ATC exchange

[island_airphoto]

Some times they just can't help being snarky.
KDCA was a big mess one night when fast-moving fog was shutting down a lot of nearby airports and DCA was still above ILS minimums and a lot of planes diverted their way. I was in the line and the guy ahead of me was all over the place when the following exchange took place:
DCA: Nxxxx, do you have an ILS receiver in that airplane?
Nxxx: Roger we have one.
DCA - Could you PLEASE TURN IT ON!

[Prob30Tempo TSRA]

“ unable “, “ no”.

Ive used these a lot in JFK .

The Norse guy sounds a bit young and naive , no point trying to explain .

” unable U3 “ or whatever .

I’ll hold my ground against these clowns but I don’t fill the frequency with elaborations

[FLCH]

Originally Posted by Speed_Trim_Fail

Those wonderful words (or text these days)… “contact London 120.430…”

Followed after the check in by the much less welcome “Reduce speed 250 knots on conversion, expect 10-15 minute delay at Biggin”

Having both missed an exit at LHR (more than once in my time, sadly I am no sky god) and having had cause quite some time ago now to dive back into LHR in a hurry that involved fire trucks and a closed runway, I have to say that they remained smooth, calm, clear and professional regardless, so it can be done.

I was lucky enough to have had the words “Happy retirement Captain Patel “ from the controllers at LHR tower a few days ago as we departed for me one last time…..37 years was long enough at this airline, not bad for a kid that was born and raised in Wolverhampton.😀

[Consol]

Originally Posted by FLCH

I was lucky enough to have had the words “Happy retirement Captain Patel “ from the controllers at LHR tower a few days ago as we departed for me one last time…..37 years was long enough at this airline, not bad for a kid that was born and raised in Wolverhampton.😀

Feet up and enjoy the well earned retirement!

[framer]

Congratulations Captain Patel!

[FLCH]

Thank you sir !

[FLCH]

Originally Posted by Consol

Feet up and enjoy the well earned retirement!

Thank you so much !

[Mr Mac]

Congratulations and I hope you enjoy sitting in the back as much as I do 👍

Cheers
Mr Mac

[NoelEvans]

Originally Posted by FLCH

I was lucky enough to have had the words “Happy retirement Captain Patel “ from the controllers at LHR tower a few days ago as we departed for me one last time… ... 😀

It's nice when someone passes that on to ATC!

I had similar departing EMA in the early hours of 24th Dec a few years ago (a prompt from our airline management!). I was on my way to EDI on a Royal Mail flight (my last airline flight was carrying parcels and post by air in the early hours of 24th Dec... with my first name!). I also changed the Mode S flight number... I had similar from EDI ATC after landing. (A good way to end a busy 2020!)

FLCH, enjoy your retirement, but stay busy!

[Sleepy Joe]

The guy talking on the radio is not the one taxying off the runway so don’t see how him explaining the situation is impeding him vacating the runway.
I think you guys need to get over it. Just a standard day in Kennedy, I have lost count of the times that ATC has got shirty with me !!!

[whitelighter]

The simple thing is: don’t give the landing aircraft choices and then get salty when they pick the wrong one.

If you need a certain exit tell the crew at establish then if they can’t do it formulate a plan.

[Abbey Road]

Originally Posted by Sleepy Joe

The guy talking on the radio is not the one taxying off the runway so don’t see how him explaining the situation is impeding him vacating the runway.

There are plenty of things that need getting right in the ground phase of an arrival. The job doesn't stop as soon as the wheels have touched the ground, and at busy airports, where there are a multitude of taxiways, many aircraft on the move, and controllers who unhelpfully speak at the speed of light, two heads (with the attendant eyes and ears!) can easily be needed to ensure errors are not made. The pilot making the radio transmissions isn't otherwise 'doing very little', he is running checklists, and playing goalkeeper for the other pilot who is taxying the aircraft. But then you should know that, apparently.

Originally Posted by Sleepy Joe

I think you guys need to get over it. Just a standard day in Kennedy, I have lost count of the times that ATC has got shirty with me !!!

I am well aware of what a "standard day in Kennedy" is like, hence the need to pay particular attention to the rapid-fire ATC instructions, and the intentions of aircraft in the near vicinity, particularly those with crews for whom English is not their first language.

If you ".... have lost count of the times that ATC has got shirty with me !!!", have you considered it might be you that is the common denominator for those testy exchanges?

Regarding the particular incident for which this thread was started, the air traffic controller takes the entire hit. His comments were uncalled for. whitelighter has summarised it very well:

Originally Posted by whitelighter

The simple thing is: don’t give the landing aircraft choices and then get salty when they pick the wrong one.

[mike current]

Originally Posted by whitelighter

The simple thing is: don’t give the landing aircraft choices and then get salty when they pick the wrong one.

Don't get salty on an ATC frequency. Period.

Even if the pilots had screwed up (which is not the case here) your job as a controller is to keep a safe and orderly flow. Not to pass judgement or apportion blame.

[island_airphoto]

OTOH I once heard the total opposite down near Miami. Miami Approach is VERY busy most days and one afternoon the controller was pretty obviously about to have a breakdown right there on the air. Out of both human kindness and not wanting the controller to just quit and leave us with no ATC, everyone started answering calls with double-clicks instead of full readbacks with an occasional "good job" or "hang in there" thrown in. The reduction in tempo allowed the poor guy to regain his composure and get back to normal.