Originally Posted by
saab2000
I've got a buddy who's a controller a Minneapolis Center. He said that half the time there just talking to the guy next to them and miss the call. Sorta like we do......
The one I don't get is when we check on 3 or 4 times and get no response and the controller issues instructions to another airplane. If he would just say, "xxxx standby" we wouldn't keep calling. I don't know if he/she has heard or if I have a radio problem or what.
It results in a lot of blocked transmissions and needless waste of valuable airtime, especially on the east coast.
Well, imagine that you were the controller on the "landline" talking to a controller at another facility about BigIron 123. Bug Smasher 234 keeps calling (and going over the speaker) while you're discussing what speed / heading / altitude the other ATC facility will take BigIron at.
Do you then return to immediately tend to BugSmasher, or issue the control instruction to BigIron?
Obviously, your answer should vary based on the circumstance. If BugSmasher is yelling "MayDay", sure, go to him. But a vital control instruction trumps saying hi to a guy just checking in.