Originally Posted by
Wasatch Phantom
ACL,
From what I understand lately, Delta is frustrated by the FAA air traffic controller on-the-job training programs in Salt Lake. While I love flying out west, the SLC controllers are, in my opinion, the worst in the country (not sugar-coating it).
This! An actual conversation that took place this morning:
(While on a needlessly complicated departure procedure with several "cross at" or "cross at or below" altitude restrictions)
SLC Dep: Compass, climb and maintain FL350.
Me: Climb and maintain FL350, is that an unrestricted climb?
(Silence)
Me: SLC, confirm unrestricted climb for Compass.
SLC Dep: Compass, delete speed restrictions.
Me: OK, how about altitude restrictions?
SLC Dep: Climb at maintain FL350, unrestricted.
This conversation would be excusable if it happened once. I've had a variation of it on every departure out of SLC for the last two weeks and have heard it play out with many other aircraft as well. You'd think they'd get the hint!