AUS_ATC

Okay, the dust has started to settle from the initial post by av8r4aa. He tossed the bait out there and we all just jumped right on and had a good time. The exchange of information and perceptions has been very interesting. Now I'm gonna toss something else into the mix for you to think about.

When aircraft are lined up on both sides of the runway and it appears that ATC is showing preferential treatment to one airline (or aircraft type) over another, consider the following:

- The Approach Control Sector that you are departing into might be down the tubes. All aircraft that can get around you or depart from the other side of the runway will receive a departure clearance until your departure sector is ready for more aircraft.

- There might be an emergency in progress on your departure frequency, so other aircraft will be released to non-affected sectors.

- There might be an equipment failure in the departure sector that you will fly into, so you must sit and wait until that issue is resolved.

- Flow Control might have just called and placed a Miles In Trail restriction on your destination airport. You are following the aircraft directly in front of you to ORD, but the guy right next to you is going to LAS. Guess what? They guy flying to LAS is going out next because I can keep someone moving.

- Sometimes it's more efficient to launch three Heavies in a row instead of trying to launch Heavy - Large - Heavy - Small - Heavy - Large. Yes, you are getting delayed, but the overall flow of the system is being enahanced due to the fact that all aircraft are being considered in the departure sequence.

- The surrounding Center Sectors have Miles In Trail restrictions based on our Letters of Agreement. Toss in an equipment outage, staffing shortage or weather, and these restrictions begin to increase. A good Ground Controller and Local Controller will try to mix-up the sequence so that aircraft depart on different routes in a back-to-back fashion. This means that you might not depart right behind the guy that you followed from the gate.

- Jets, props and turboprops often depart on different headings and altitudes. When an opportunity exists to "fan" departures with different aircraft types and/or routes, we will take advantage of that in order to get everyone airborne as soon as possible.

- The NWA Ramp Tower called me last week and stated that a passenger on a specific flight trying to make a connection in MSP in order to attend her husband's funeral... could we help? You bet! Ground Control and Local Control worked together so that the NWA Airbus could pass everyone who was southbound on Taxiway November and depart without delay. We would do the same for you.

- Sometimes aircraft are departing from another runway that is not under my control. My departures must "miss" or "follow" that traffic. Depending on the type of aircraft that I must miss or follow, I might adjust my departure sequence to enhance the operation.

I could go on and on with these examples or scenarios that take place in the Tower, but I assure you -- we are constantly searching for ways to get all of you airborne and on your way in the quickest possible manner. Is our process or methodology fair? I dont' know. It probably depends on which cockpit you are sitting in, and whether you are "holding short" or being asked to "hit the gap".

Time permitting, I'll tell you what is going on. But many times, I simply don't have the time to tell you about each and every reason that I'm changing the sequence. It's my job to provide a safe and expeditious flow of traffic, and I will do that in a manner that I feel is appropriate. If you have a complaint with the service, then please call the facility and ask to speak to a Supervisor.

Do Air Traffic Controllers have favorite airlines? Sure. Do pilots have favorite airports based on the type of ATC service that they receive? Sure. We are all human, and we are all subject to biases and prejudices based on a number of different reasons.

av8r4aa, Air Traffic Controllers are instructed to provide ATC services on a "First come, first serve" basis. However, there are a number of other aspects to the job and operation to consider. Thankfully we area allowed the lattitude to consider a number of different things when "calling the sequence" for arrivals or departures. Pilots all want to be number one for the approach, or number one for departure -- but someone must wait for the next gap -- and I am allowed to select which one of you will go first or second.

There has to be an olive branch in this somewhere for ya. Call up your local Tower, TRACON or Center and ask for a tour. Get to know some of the Controllers. Come see what we do. There has to be some common ground to make this easier on you and us. If you ever have time in Memphis, I'll be more than happy to show you around our facility.

MEM_ATC

1Seat 1Engine

Nice post.

JMT21

I want to hear about all these parties certain airlines throw for you guys. It must be really nice getting flat screen tv's and such all the time.

AVIVIII

Especially in my postion as a Skydive pilot, I have a great appreciation and respect for what the controlers do. Thank you for your services and all of the traffic that you point out that I can't see below my giant canadian tin can.

Eric Stratton

so what is it that the other airlines don't do and southwest does to make them a favorite. the reason I ask is because one of the complaints from the FAA was that my airline rarely refuses your requests.

av8r4aa

You are backpedaling and trying to cover your a$$.
You have said enough aboutht is subject.
The rest of the flying community can see where
your paycheck comes from.

As promised I did cut and paste your first post.
It should be in OKC later this week.

Hope you make it to 20 years. NOT

TonyC

That's in Mississippi.



OLV




I'm on the clock, I'm gettin' paid, I'm happy, I'm ready when you say go.



Thanks for takin' the time, MEM_ATC!!




Don't worry about av8r4aa. He's been trying a new hormone therapy and it hasn't balanced out quite yet.





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Huck

Anybody that makes another aircraft go around on purpose has lost me, big time. I don't care if we're flying 152's or MD-11's. I sure hope he was making that up.

palgia841

MEM_ATC

You already admitted to being an unprofessional controller on your other post. Admitting to having "favorite" airlines and giving preferential treatment to them is about as unprofessional as it gets.
Now, you may like SWA because their peanuts taste better and make them their #1 choice when traveling. That's fine. BUT giving them any sort of preferential treatment is just plain unprofessional AND in violation of 7110.65.

I worked ATC in the past and I know first come first serve doesn't always apply. But sequencing aircraft based on your airline preference is definitely NOT the way to do it. As a controller you are given a lot of latitude in terms of managing your sequence, but you should not abuse that power and give preference to a certain airline. I FEEL I AM PREACHING TO THE CHOIR. YOU KNOW VERY WELL WHATS RIGHT AND WRONG. All the examples you listed above are fine and completely normal. What you listed on the other thread wasn't. And you know that very well...

I truly hope av8r4AA is exaggerating and that not all controllers are like you at your facility.

captjns

I could remember flying freight in the old 727 doing .86 into STL. I was following a SWA doing .75, also flying to STL. ATC was most accomodating to me and gave me an option of climbing, descending or slowing down to .73. I opted for the descent to warmer temps, and slightley greater TAS. There was no issue. We all got to STL when we were scheduled to.

In another instance, while on final approach into FLL during a ferry flight, the tower controller asked if I could increase my approach speed by 25 knots to accomdate a SWA on final behind me. Not wanting to destabilize my approach and exceed my company's limitations, I volunteered to do a 360 to fall in behind the SWA 737. Also being a 737 flyer, I recognize 737s with the new wings and making approaches when near max landing gross weight have a considerable high approach speed than the classic 737s. ATC does the best they can to vector aircraft with proper spacing. ATC does not have a crystal ball and could not guess my landing weight was way slower than normal thus resulting in a much lower than normal approach speed. If I can help it, I don't want to cause anyone to go around. That's plain stupid, immature, unprofessional, and arrogant and most of all damn unsafe airmanship! Besides... I get paid by the minute.

We all work together, and try to accomodate each when ever possible.