LHR ATC - Please tell us that you've shut 09L!
 

Inbound to LHR the other night. Got the ATIS just before TOD. Landing 09L it said. NOTAMS say single runway ops from 2130. Started approach at 2100.

Get on director frequency, guy really stressed, I reported having recieved the info 'Romeo', no correction is made by them, not told which runway. High speed downwind, no delay, try to get ident, and get I-RR (27R). Query this with ATC and get sarcastic 'that's because it's 09R'. We're now turning base, having to change runway, go through the centreline and we end up high and fast. Not impressed.

Afterwards, ground told us that it that they allow the work to start earlier than 2130 if they can. Fine, but please tell us!

Mind you, I guess this episode did highlight to me how 'spoon-fed' we are going into LHR most times. I think it comes as a bit of a shock when you don't get the usual impeccible ATC at LHR!

[This message has been edited by Propellerhead (edited 02 May 2001).]

As Shaggy would say...

"It wasn't me"! ;) Currently on leave!!!

Sorry to hear this. Was there any explanation/reason given for you not being told?

Gonzo

Oops, I was tired when writing the above (although not quite as tired as when making the above approach). I DID check the NOTAMS - after landing! - Had to make sure I was in the right before enquiring with ATIS ...I mean ATC.

Trust me, I'm not a journey. I have FAR too many debts!

No explanation given, I suspect we just missed info 'Sierra' - which did give the right runway. However, we reported having Romeo and weren't corrected.

We were high speed through the holding fix, and there was only one director frequency between there and tower (usually two). The guy was simply stressed and overworked.

I think most of us give out the new runway to any folks that arrive around a change or closure just to ensure that we're all working to the same game plan.

Unfortunately you seem to have spoken to someone who chose not to. Hopefully they'll read this and see the error of their ways.

WF.