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Ground Control at MEM during the FDX midnight sort

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Old 03-16-2006, 12:41 AM
  #21  
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If you don't have ACARS, somebody should figure out a way to get PDC's as a cell phone text message or something. Gawd, I love PDC's.
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Old 03-16-2006, 04:25 AM
  #22  
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Hey MEM ATC... How many FedEx and FedEx Feeder departures are there during the AM push??
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Old 03-19-2006, 08:59 PM
  #23  
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Beertini,

Originally Posted by Beertini
...we are still sitting in the chalks trying to chime in on ramp tower to get a beacon about this time.
What's the process like at MEM after you have received your ATC Clearance through PDC, LOA or though Clearance Delivery? It sounds like you have to check-in with the FDX Ramp Tower with your beacon code for verification. Are you allowed to push and taxi early?

MEM_ATC
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Old 03-19-2006, 09:27 PM
  #24  
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FlyCMI,

Originally Posted by FlyCMI
Tell John that I said hi. He still holds the record for us working 125.8 HLI VOR to the Signature Ramp in 6 mins.
I gave John your message. He remembered the 6 minute statistic!

MEM_ATC
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Old 03-19-2006, 09:34 PM
  #25  
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TonyC,

Your message sounds like a Peacful Warrior, and those are truly words to live by for all aspects of our lives.

I get ribbed and teased at work because I'm a little too polite on the frequency. Oh well, it's a big sandbox out there, and I do my best to get along well with the pilots, who are ultimately... MY customers.

MEM_ATC

Originally Posted by TonyC
Just promise me this: before you get to the point where you've lost all your patience with imperfect, human, error-prone pilots just trying to do their best to stay awake at 3 AM and keep up with a series of "vias" and "hold shorts ofs", and when you're inclined to mix a little sarcasm and holier-than-thou bad attitude into the radio calls, just take a break. Just take a deep breath, and remember we're all in this thing together, and smile a little.

I'll make mistakes - - I hope you'll be tolerant.

You'll make mistakes - - I hope I'll be tolerant.

It only gets nasty when we start acting like we're better than the guy at the other end of the radio waves.
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Old 03-19-2006, 09:38 PM
  #26  
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Twiceskunkeddog,

Originally Posted by Twiceskunkeddog
Hey MEM ATC... How many FedEx and FedEx Feeder departures are there during the AM push??
Sheeshh! I was too busy to count 'em all! I'd guess somewhere between 120 - 150. Maybe one of the FDXers here can give us an exact number.

MEM_ATC
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Old 03-20-2006, 08:56 AM
  #27  
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Smile MEM Ground Control Training (Night Three)

My third night of Ground Control training on the FDX midnight shift took place last Wednesday night. MEM was in a South Configuration utilizing 18L, 18R and 27 for arrival traffic.

Under this configuration, Runway 27 is combined with Ground Control, and only aircraft that meet certain tail height requirements may land on Runway 27. Additionally, traffic information must be exchanged between all aircraft landing Runway 18L and Runway 27.

In the event of a Runway 27 go-around, that aircraft will generally be issued an immediate left turn heading 230 (right towards the Control Tower) and climbed to 2,000 or 3,000 depending on what other traffic is in the vicinity. Everyone in the Tower immediately yells "GO AROUND RUNWAY 27!", and the other Local Controller starts issuing traffic to his 18L and 18R arrivals so as to obtain and/or provide visual separation.

The worst thing that could happen, would be to have Runway 27 and 18L go around at the same time.

THE INBOUND

From the Tower perspective, and Ground Control in particular, the inbound was relatively uneventful. This was my first time working this specific configuration on the midnight shift, so the usual spooling-up to the subtle differences was present.

A few General Aviation aircraft taxied out of Wilson Aviation during the outbound. My trainer said that most of these aircraft would be taxiied to Runway 18L via taxiway Yankee so that the Local Controller could "hit the gap" between arrivals. This would avoid Runway 18C as the departure runway, and most importantly, keep Taxiways Sierra and Charlie open for FDX arrival aircraft to continue their taxi to the FDX ramp.

The Local Controller decided that she didn't want the departures on 18L, so I taxied the GA aircraft to 18C via "Yankee - Alpha - Bravo hold short of Sierra", with the anticipation that these guys would be departed ASAP and open Bravo and Sierra for my use.

Well, that didn't happen. The first aircraft was told by Local Control to taxi up to Runway 18C, and this blocked Sierra. The second was still sitting on Bravo. The FDX arrivals continued to land on Runway 18L and pile-up on Taxiway Sierra while waiting for the taxiway to clear.

This finally cleared up with the Local Controller after some peer pressure and friendly harassment was tossed about in the Tower Cab.

The Final Controllers were running very tight and beautiful finals to both runways with minimum separation. When Large Aircraft were involved, we can go down to 2.5 miles on the final. When the Tower can provide Visual Separation, the separation may be reduced even further, as long as there is confidence that the preceding aircraft will clear the runway prior to the arrival crossing the runway threshold.

On one instance involving two B727's inbound to 18L, the spacing was already under 2.5 miles with the Local Controller providing Visual Separation. Unfortunately, this Controller did not do anything to ensure that this situation would resolve itself. Possible options included: asking the 2nd aircraft for a quick "S-Turn" to the left... reduce to final approach speed... prime the first aircraft for minimum time on the runway... or even taking one aircraft to 18C. Instead, the 2nd aircraft was "sent around" without so much as any effort to make the situation work. Very embarassing in my opinion, but different Controllers have varying abilities to deal with these situations, and some just lack the motivation.

THE OUTBOUND

The outbound went about as smooth as the previous night, which means that I am still a little rough around the edges! I'm still suffering from being awake at 3:00 a.m.; adjusting to the sea of lights and getting comfortable with the FDX Spots and exactly which runway and route these aircraft should utilize.

We were departing 18L, 18R and 27, so every FDX aircraft must cross an active runway. The complexity and coordination is very intense. All eyes are focused on the aircraft holding in position and the numerous aircraft that may be crossing at November, Charlie, Sierra, Bravo, Yankee and Alpha-1.

A Cab Coordinator position was open during the outbound, and he ran the show with regards to rolling aircraft on Runway 27 and all active runway crossings.

As a general rule, the Cab Coordinator would tell the Local Controller to "roll two on Runway 27". Just like on the bridge of a naval vessel, the Local Controller echos the command, and then everyone in the Tower Cab echos the command as well. I thought that this was silly when I first started, but have grown to appreciate the fact that everyone is onboard with what is happening.

With Spots 4 and 5 at the approach end of Runway 27, the Local Controller may take his pick of rolling a B727 or one of the many Heavy Jets. The B727 will always go first so as to avoid any wake turbulence issues.

Once the 2nd aircraft rolls on Runway 27, the Cab Coordinator starts issuing crossing instructions as the departing aircraft passes each taxiway. "Cross two Heavies at Taxiway Yankee... cross the Airbus at Bravo... cross the Boeing at Sierra... cross the two Heavies at Charlie and November!" And the echo of commands is heard around the Tower. And the two Ground Controllers empty thier taxiways and cross Runway 27 enroute to 18L and 18R.

The Cab Coordinator will eventually ask, "All Runway 27 crossings complete?", to which the Ground Controllers will respond with specific Taxiway names and the fact that their crossings are complete or still in progress. And the departure process starts all over again.

I'll probably be back for two more nights of Ground Control training this week, and hopefully receive a "Check Ride" next week.

MEM_ATC
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Old 03-20-2006, 11:28 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Twiceskunkeddog
Hey MEM ATC... How many FedEx and FedEx Feeder departures are there during the AM push??
Here's what one flight tracker showed:

FDX2468
MD10 OAK FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:18 AM CDT (0718Z) More...
FDX2473
B72Q BDL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:30 AM CDT (0730Z) More...
FDX2404
DC10 LAX FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:30 AM CDT (0730Z) More...
MTN8374
AT43 BTR MOUNTAIN AIR CARGO, INC. (DENVER, NC) 02:30 AM CDT (0730Z) More...
FDX1521
A310 IAH FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:36 AM CDT (0736Z) More...
FDX1447
A306 ORD FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:36 AM CDT (0736Z) More...
FDX1471
A306 DFW FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:42 AM CDT (0742Z) More...
FDX2421
DC10 ATL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:48 AM CDT (0748Z) More...
FDX1547
B72Q ALB FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX2491
B72Q PWM FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX2441
MD10 SFO FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX1461
DC10 MIA FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX1412
DC10 MHT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX1423
MD10 SEA FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX1425
MD10 PDX FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 02:54 AM CDT (0754Z) More...
FDX1429
MD10 SMF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1430
DC10 SLC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1454
B72Q PVD FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1438
MD10 ONT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1478
B72Q TLH FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1510
B72Q SWF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1516
A306 SYR FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX2451
B72Q HTS FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX155
MD11 ANC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX1543
B72Q FSD FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX2400
MD10 FLL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:00 AM CDT (0800Z) More...
FDX2406
MD10 BOS FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX2410
MD10 TPA FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX2435
A306 BDL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX1482
A306 BWI FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX1416
DC10 SAT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX1409
DC10 MCO FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX1402
DC10 EWR FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:06 AM CDT (0806Z) More...
FDX2446
A306 PIT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2495
B72Q CPR FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2484
A306 MCI FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2419
DC10 OAK FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2428
DC10 PHL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2434
DC10 IAD FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX1590
B72Q LFT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2505
B72Q SGF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX2548
B72Q GTF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:12 AM CDT (0812Z) More...
FDX130
A306 CYMX FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:18 AM CDT (0818Z) More...
FDX1411
A306 IAH FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:18 AM CDT (0818Z) More...
FDX1453
B72Q ABE FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:18 AM CDT (0818Z) More...
FDX1431
MD10 JFK FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:24 AM CDT (0824Z) More...
FDX2436
B72Q MKE FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:24 AM CDT (0824Z) More...
FDX2552
A306 CLE FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:24 AM CDT (0824Z) More...
FDX53
A306 MMTO FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX61
DC10 TJSJ FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX2449
A306 RDU FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX2500
B72Q CID FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX2493
B72Q RST FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX180
B72Q BUF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX1432
A306 CLT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX1405
MD11 ORD FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX1407
A306 MSP FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX1467
A310 SDF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX1485
B72Q TYS FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:30 AM CDT (0830Z) More...
FDX1479
B72Q SHV FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:36 AM CDT (0836Z) More...
FDX1448
A310 GSO FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:36 AM CDT (0836Z) More...
FDX132
DC10 CYYZ FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:36 AM CDT (0836Z) More...
FDX2514
DC10 EWR FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:36 AM CDT (0836Z) More...
FDX2507
A306 IND FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX65
DC10 MMGL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX13
MD11 ANC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX1504
B72Q FWA FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX2503
A310 MDT FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX2472
B72Q OKC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX2450
B72Q PIA FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX2466
A310 TUL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:42 AM CDT (0842Z) More...
FDX1538
B72Q ORF FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:48 AM CDT (0848Z) More...
FDX1519
B72Q RIC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:48 AM CDT (0848Z) More...
FDX1486
A306 LCK FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:48 AM CDT (0848Z) More...
FDX1460
B72Q CVG FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:48 AM CDT (0848Z) More...
FDX2578
A310 ROC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:48 AM CDT (0848Z) More...
FDX32
MD11 EWR FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:48 AM CDT (0848Z) More...
FDX155
MD11 ANC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:54 AM CDT (0854Z) More...
FDX155
MD11 ANC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:54 AM CDT (0854Z) More...
FDX2
MD11 EGSS FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 03:54 AM CDT (0854Z) More...
FDX1509
A306 STL FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 04:00 AM CDT (0900Z) More...
FDX138
A310 CYYC FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 04:00 AM CDT (0900Z) More...
FDX2522
A310 GRR FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 04:00 AM CDT (0900Z) More...
FDX1529
B72Q ATW FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 04:06 AM CDT (0906Z) More...
FDX4
MD11 LFPG FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 04:12 AM CDT (0912Z) More...
FDX10
MD11 LFPG FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION (LITTLE ROCK, AR) 04:45 AM CDT (0945Z) More...



I'd love to watch it some night.
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Old 03-20-2006, 11:34 AM
  #29  
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I'll be back up there tonight trying to do it again.

MEM_ATC[/QUOTE]

God Bless you, and Thank you for the hard work and great service!
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Old 02-02-2007, 06:17 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by SigmaPIlot View Post

hopefully soon I can say "Flagship" instead of "Skyhawk"!
Nice post SigmaPIlot. Good luck with your training. A lot of us are hoping we could be saying "FedEx" instead of "Flagship"
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