MFan97

How many of you use the word “leveling” from time to time? As in “Delta 123 leveling 14,000”.

I ask because I was ripped a new one by a very rude ATL approach controller recently. We were descending through 14,400 at a rate of about 2,000fpm, our rate was slowly decreasing to hold 14,000. Perhaps 15 seconds or so from being level. I checked in with “Delta 123 leveling 14,000”, and he just went off on me.

My research leads me to believe that the controller was probably correct that this isn’t 100% by-the-book phraseology, but I know I’m not that unusual in saying it. I’ve tried to filter out perceived annoying things like “with you” from my calls...never knew that this was so objectable.

Most of what bothers me is, what possesses people to be dicks? This was not the time or place for an unsolicited lesson, especially for something so petty.
Thoughts?

contrails

ATL.

Wretched place.

ZeroTT

Maybe his wife left him that morning. Maybe he had a toothache. Maybe he's just a dick.

"Delta 123, standard phraseology is 'aaa bbb ccc ddd'
Atlanta altimeter 29.XX"

was all he had to say

wrxpilot

Weird. I like to think of myself as pretty standard and by the book on phraseology, but I do use the “leveling” term myself and have never had an issue.

Depending on their response, I may have asked for a phone number to discuss it later.

standardrate

Standard for "leveling" is within +/- 300 feet from what ive been taught from retired captains all 25,000 + hrs.
The best thing to do with controllers like that is just say OK or roger. Thats it. Hes looking for an argument.

forgot to bid

Thoughts?

Guy is a dick.

Doesn't matter why. Just some people are.

The key to life is treating everyone one person at a time and just have immense patience and love.

Except for dicks.

.I hate those guys.

ERflyer

I was “chastized” for my terminology one early morning by NYC approach after a long night. I hadn’t asked for the specific approach I wanted in my first transmission. I “chastized” him right back - a little severely. I was not in the mood for putting up with anymore BS from NYC ATC controllers - at 6am. I think we both realized how we sounded later on. Next time we spoke on the radio a few weeks later and recognized each others voice it was funny just how polite we were to each other.

Everyone has a bad day or night.

NK Bumble Bee

ATC is required to verify your altitude at check-in matches their scope within 300' so that was probably his beef. But there are much better ways to handle it than a rant on freq!

2StgTurbine

"Atlanta approach, Delta 1827 descending through one-four thousand four hundred-forty feet for one four thousand feet, information charlie"

Scoop

Sometimes I think they just have to vent. A few weeks ago I was on arrival and the ATIS said PRMs. I am also dealing with a passenger medical issue. I check in with Approach and he says the new ATIS is current and to report when we have it, so we get the new ATIS and report it. Nothing has changed on the ATIS - still PRMs.

FO flying, I am talking to ATC. Meanwhile the FAs call inquiring about paramedics and leaving the Seatbelt sign on at the gate - pretty routine stuff but adding to the cockpit workload.

ATC clears us for a visual to 08R and I say something like OK, I thought we were doing PRMs? He then proceeds to vent on me for 30 seconds about clearing the AC ahead of me for the visual and why am I not paying attention to ATC. I just give him the OK thanks I must have missed the radio call you made to that other aircraft, we have some other stuff going on here.



Scoop