Originally Posted by
Scoop
This is exactly the problem - too much chance for confusion, partially blocked radio calls, or just plain Pilot or Controller error.
It should be either:
1. Fly the SID as published
or
2. Radar vectors.
The whole purpose of the SID is to reduce radio transmissions, standardize departures, reduce the chance of errors and probably a few other reasons but it seems that whole process just adds to the confusion requiring more radio calls and a greater chance of error.
What good is a STANDARD Instrument departure if it is not standard???
Obviously controllers need the capability to flex, but if you are modifying the "standard" procedure 90+ % of the time something aint right.
Just my 2 cents.
Scoop
I agree. The whole point of contention with SLC center is despite what the AIM or PCG says about it, the fact remains that there are massive inconsistencies at the ATC level regarding this. Even if we "don't have to ask them" when we do ask them we get different answers all of the time.
"Resume normal speed" is another grossly misunderstood one especially from a controller perspective. Many, many controllers use "resume normal speed" synonymously with "delete speed restrictions" and to add even more confustion, often they use it to answer a pilot's question regarding relief for a charted speed restriction when the controller's intent is to delete it.
From our perspective it doesn't really matter who is technically right or if we don't really "need" to clarify to somehow prove our awesome knowledge. The fact is there is a LOT of confusion at the ATC level over both "climb and maintain" and "resume normal speed" and even if you technically do the right thing, if you and the controller are not on the same page because
either one of you doesn't fully understand what the other is doing, regardless of who is right, it could be a bad situation for all involved.
So why would anyone be hesitant to call? To prove to themselves that they know so much about the AIM? What are we paying by the transmission now? The right answer is: its a free call, get clarification. That goes for if you have any doubt as to what you should do
as well as if you have any doubt as to what you think the controller thinks you should do even if you know you are right.
About 1 or 2 times out of 10, if you ask (even though you "don't have to") the controller will contradict your expectations. IMO until that stops completely, at least for a couple of years, I'm getting clarification and that's all there is to it.
The 1 or 2 times out of 10 times it gets everyone on the same page, I'll bust out a
Nelson - YouTube on guard for all those wrapped around the axel thinking the AIM is the Alpha and Omega of all things. It may be the textbook Alpha, but that does no good when a (semi-common) misunderstanding causes a real world bad Omega.