Possible Pilot Deviation
#31
I'd just like to add: in my almost 25 years in the FAA (ATC), the only reason you'd be reported for a deviation is if separation is lost, or gross incompetence (which I've never seen).
If separation is lost, the computer detects it and everything's documented and blame has to be assigned to someone. The FAA certainly doesn't want it and will try to pass it off as a pilot deviation if at all possible (and FSDO will bounce it back and claim it's an ATC error so it's not always clearcut -- FSDO and ATC are competing branches).
But if separation is NOT lost, nobody wants tapes to be pulled. The controller doesn't want anyone scrutinizing everything he did over the past 30 minutes, the supervisor on duty doesn't, and the facility doesn't. If you're told "not a problem," that's the end of it. We don't do random audits of day-to-day operations, just occasional audio checks to monitor phraseology and professionalism.
Even if you're told to call in, that goes to the supervisor in charge and he will probably mention if separation was lost or not (or you can ask). If he says separation wasn't lost, he's just going through the motions and nothing will ever come of it. Just be contrite and polite.
If separation is lost, the computer detects it and everything's documented and blame has to be assigned to someone. The FAA certainly doesn't want it and will try to pass it off as a pilot deviation if at all possible (and FSDO will bounce it back and claim it's an ATC error so it's not always clearcut -- FSDO and ATC are competing branches).
But if separation is NOT lost, nobody wants tapes to be pulled. The controller doesn't want anyone scrutinizing everything he did over the past 30 minutes, the supervisor on duty doesn't, and the facility doesn't. If you're told "not a problem," that's the end of it. We don't do random audits of day-to-day operations, just occasional audio checks to monitor phraseology and professionalism.
Even if you're told to call in, that goes to the supervisor in charge and he will probably mention if separation was lost or not (or you can ask). If he says separation wasn't lost, he's just going through the motions and nothing will ever come of it. Just be contrite and polite.
The FSDO doesn't "bounce things back", in cases where we can't prove a pilot deviation, we file a report that says just that. If there are ATC issues, we have to let the ATC QC guy know, but they police their own and have their own investigations.
#32
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 71
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From: Separating and expediting
Um, are you still an active controller? The reason I ask is that even before I joined the FAA, I was cautioned by some controllers in a presentation when the "rules changed", requiring them to report all pilot deviations and "violations" as simple as part of the aircraft drooping over the hold short line...
#33
#34
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 71
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From: Separating and expediting
Just curious, APC MODS: how many posts are needed to get full forum access? The signup page says five but I still only see a subset. I can prove I'm not a spambot if you want -- ask me anything.
#35
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,931
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
#36
On Reserve
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: E175 First Officer
How sophisticated is the TARP system? I know it produces auto reports, but I was wondering what it produced auto reports of. What criteria causes it to submit and do they have these system wide or only certain locations? And which facilities have them?
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