Life guard?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: California
Life guard?
Flew United to ORD the otherday. Was listening to ch. 9 and heard our callsign change to include 'lifeguard' almost half-way through. Anyone knows why lifeguard was not declared from the start? It sure made for expedited arrival to a more than usually chaotic ORD.
'nough said
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Raynes Park
According to wikipedia the lifeguard callsign is used by air ambulances so I guess a pax on your aircraft had a medical issue in flight or maybe it was carrying a patient being repatriated to or carried across the States?
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Wet Coast
AIM, para 4-2-4(b):
b. Air Ambulance Flights: Because of the priority afforded air ambulance flights in the ATC system, extreme discretion is necessary when using the term "LIFEGUARD." It is only intended for those missions of an urgent medical nature and to be utilized only for that portion of the flight requiring expeditious handling. When requested by the pilot, necessary notification to expedite ground handling of patients, etc., is provided by ATC; however, when possible, this information should be passed in advance through non-ATC communications systems.
b. Air Ambulance Flights: Because of the priority afforded air ambulance flights in the ATC system, extreme discretion is necessary when using the term "LIFEGUARD." It is only intended for those missions of an urgent medical nature and to be utilized only for that portion of the flight requiring expeditious handling. When requested by the pilot, necessary notification to expedite ground handling of patients, etc., is provided by ATC; however, when possible, this information should be passed in advance through non-ATC communications systems.
