ryguy

I had a couple of issues yesterday in both SFO and ANC with ATC.

First, quick one from LAX to SFO. The ATIS was calling for visual approaches to 28L,R but not any of the visual procedures. We finally asked what approach to expect since we didn't get that info when we checked in with approach. He told us to expect the Tipp Toe Visual to 28L. Ok so we set up for that and brief it. Then he says expect ILS 28R, no worries, we have that one out too. We switch controllers and she asks if we have the bridges in sight for the Tipp Toe to 28L. I could see a couple of bridges in the distance that looked in the right spot but we weren't positive as neither of us has done too much SFO lately. We told her no and she just repeated the question. I know why they were doing it, some haze had developed and she couldn't clear us for the visual that far out since the vis went down. I guess she figured she could turn us loose on the visual procedure if we saw the bridges. So we say no again and she says to expect ILS 28L. Again, no problem as it is already in there. We're trucking along and the next clearance is a turn to intercept the ILS 28R. I confirmed with her that she wanted 28R and not the left side and she said yes. We were kind of expecting it so that was no problem. All of this was within 10 minutes.

It seems that every time I go to SFO I get multiple runway/approach changes that are barely communicated before you are expected to do it. After that we get to about 200ft. and a United 737 goes through the intersection taking off from 1R. Talk about a zoo. It works ok if everything stays normal but one hiccup and all hell would break loose.

That brings us to the next leg up to ANC. Not as bad but still a strange clearance. Downwind for 7R the controller crosses a Dash 8 under us and tells him to keep his speed up. He was converging from about 10 o'clock and was keeping his speed up. Nothing wrong so far. Here's the crazy clearance. While still on downwind the Dash crosses under us and she asks if we have him in sight. We called the traffic and then she said "turn base on mile behind the Dash 8, cleared visual approach 7R. ***! Last time I looked I don't have any rear view mirrors to see a Dash 8 one mile BEHIND me. Not only that we were heavy with a Vapp of 154kts. We said unable and she turned us with no other issues.

I just had to vent, too many ATC issues in one day. It seems to be getting worse lately. Controllers seem to want to make visual approaches out of questionable situations. In the case of SFO, I don't know why there seem to be so many runway/approach changes in a short time span. I spent 8 years in EWR and never had these kinds of problems in much busier airspace.