Originally Posted by
gloopy
Even if we fixed this issue 100% today with never another misunderstanding on either to come up, its reasonable to still be cautious for a while and ask anyway because there is no way to tell if the issue was fixed 100% until you get 100% correct responses for a while. So far, on either "climb/descend and maintain" with crossing restrictions and/or "resume normal speed" with charted speed restrictions, I'm still trapping way too many errors by asking to stop asking so therefore I will keep asking. Its as simple as that.
Good point. I have to say my inclination is to say "screw em' I'm going to 350 because that's what they cleared me too!" and ASAP and let them deal with it. However, clarification is as simple and safe as "climb to 350, do you need me to comply with the crossing restrictions?" Who knows if you do have that one or two controllers out of 10 who have a different interpretation.
Speaking of ATC, here's a recent doozy:
Incident: Expressjet E145 at Gulfport on Jun 19th 2011, near collision on takeoff
Incident: Expressjet E145 at Gulfport on Jun 19th 2011, near collision on takeoff
By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 20th 2011 14:08Z, last updated Wednesday, Jan 18th 2012 22:05ZThe NTSB have released their
factual report stating that radar data confirm both aircraft were airborne when the Embraer passed in front of the Cessna with a vertical separation of 0 feet and a horizontal separation of 300 feet.
The NTSB reported that the tower controller had cleared the Cessna for takeoff from runway 18 intersection taxiway A. 10 seconds later the Embraer reported on the tower frequency after taxiing along taxiway C, reported ready for takeoff from runway 14 and was cleared for takeoff from runway 14 another 6 seconds later.
A trainee controller and his instructor entering the control room at that time became aware of the simultaneous takeoff clearances and called "you have got two rolling", the controller however did not acknowledge. The trainee controller recalled seeing the Embraer passing just in front of the Cessna.
The investigation revealed that the
tower controller in charge thought to get along well with his collegues, however was not well liked by his collegues, the collegues avoiding as much as possible to work with him. The collegues expressed frustration at the continual problems created by the controller and his inability to correct the deficiencies.
The investigation also found out that the radar facility's administration had limited the controller in charge to no longer be used as an instructor for trainee controllers as well as no longer to work the tower position, this restriction however had not been communicated to the controller, who was still licensed to work the tower position. As he was also licensed as controller in charge, he was free to assign himself to the tower position unless a supervisor was in charge of the radar facility.
The controller has been placed into an administrative status pending further action.
On Jan 18th 2012 the NTSB released their
final report concluding the probable cause of the incident was:
the Gulfport control tower local controller cleared two aircraft for takeoff from runways with intersecting departure flight paths without ensuring the first aircraft had passed the flight path intersection prior to clearing the second aircraft for takeoff.
I guess they're people too. Personally, in over 21 years of flying I've always had a pretty positive interaction with controllers. Really, it's those inside the cockpit that don't get it most of the time. In fact, and I hate to say this on the forum but it's the truth so I'll let it fly, not on any level prior to here have I had so many facepalm moments listening to pilots talk to controllers. Seriously, do you think you're the only airplane around? Or that they can read your mind? Or that yelling is appropriate? Are you new to this?
But anyways, they're as bad as us
so I guess it doesn't hurt to clarify.
BTW, slightly off subject I had a jumpseater once who had lost his license for 90 days for an altitude incursion in a WB on climb out of one of our hubs. It was a great reminder to take no prisoners no matter how often you do it every day.