saab2000

Checking in on New York Approach or Center is not a 'little radio call'.

Second, what is wrong with SIDS and STARS? They are coming into vogue at slightly busy airports like DFW and ATL. They improve navigational accuracy.

The US in general does have excellent ATC. My initial post was harsh. But I have extensive experience in Europe as well as the US and Canada. The things I complain about are generally minor points and could be solved with some better radio discipline. Pilots can do a better job too.

You are right that in general the US ATC is quite good and it is for the most part safe. I have seen things at IAD which were not safe. But really only there.

Most are good, I have to agree with that.

My beef with the first post was the idea that all other places look to the US with admiration. They don't. They get about their business in a professional manner. Western Europe has a safety record which is also excellent. Even one accident is too many, of course, but records in the US and Western Europe are essentially statistically identical.

Peace.

Minor fixes would fix the gripes I have. Specifically better radio discipline and acknowledgement of calls, even if you can't take it right now. Radio silence leads to confusion and error.

Airsupport

You are right about them becoming more popular, but they aren't the european versions. The Sids and Stars coming out now are all RNAV/GPS. So the complications of intercepting multiple radials (and i mean multiple) all within the first 5000 feet of a departure is gone. Now you enter in the fms your assigned runway and transition, ATC will then verify it by having you read the first fixes on the legs page of your fms, and then you go. Nothing more will be said until its time to go to center/approach. When the weather takes a drop, and the airtraffic is BUSY, there is nothing that makes you feel just a little bit better than "radar contact"

saab2000

I have flown many of these radial intercepting SIDS and STARS. No big deal. I agree that they are a bit odd, but they exist for a good reason - terrain. The other reason is noise abatement.

The wierdest one was out of Florence, Italy.

The Europeans have some things that are different. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are not as good. Combine the best both worlds and it would be great.

Airsupport

there you go.

TankerBob

User fees would do nothing but raise the costs of flying more. You think your companies now. I don't see where user fees are going to make center answer you any better. User Fees are a very bad idea for both GA and Air Carriers

As far as getting mad at ATC for not answering. I guess you have never been called by ATC and missed the call?

dojetdriver

How is the approach controllers doing a completely substandard job NY center's fault? When you are told best foward speed to the marker, then told to pull it back to slowest practicle. Then handed off to the final controller, and now he wants best foward speed. Ground control sucks, and this is NY center's fault?

When tower clears you for TO on the N/S runway and then tells you to abort halfway because they lined up a Dash-8 coming at you, this is NY center's fault? It's great you work out of there, but I have been flying in and out of there for 6 years now. They suck.

But yes, Dulles sucks too.

saab2000

Not often. I am waiting to tell them that I am on the landline for the day before my retirement!!

We all make mistakes. I am not trying to sound perfect. But there are times I get frustrated with things. I am sure they get frustrated with me too.

saab2000

I have not had these things happen. But I have had some pretty odd things happen on 35. Grant you that.

The thing I am saying is that NY Center controls a lot of how things are delived to them. Or how they can hand things off.

I am not an apologist for ****ty ATC, but in general I think PHL has a bad situation.

Of course, the things you mention are inexcusable.

Ask them for their phone number. I did once in IAD. Problem was with Potomac Approach, so the people at the other end would not help me.

Oh, and I did mention that PHL ground is bad.

Peace.

Pooch

Why wait? I think most of them are human and would appreciate a good joke once in a while...

TankerBob

Dude I would say it