NZFF

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:23 pm**

Thought I'd try a spot of "listening in" on the ground here (KLAX) just to see how it goes and was confronted by the Tower Controller Mike Roda..........basically advised him of my intentions then sent him another message and was promptly told he was "busy" and that I was supposed to be only "listening" in.
Anyone else experienced this "unhelpful" attitude whilst in the Sates and if there is anywhere poor ATC standards can be reported ?
Thank goodness all our atc that i have spoken to are far more amiable.
Perhaps it was abad time of the month for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
Nunner

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:44 pm**

Hi Ian

Was this on Vatsim mate?

I often just turn up at an airport, usually sitting in a Cessna somewhere and tune to the tower or other atc to listen. I don't normally file a plan, and have found I get left alone till I file a plan or atc is bored and wants to chat lol. They normally text you when you need to contact them.

I don't see a problem, but you mentioned you contacted tower.

I would suggest that you could file a flight plan if you wanted, even to say 'parked at gate until xxx time', or 'observing', but you don't actually need to contact tower or atc unless you are going to be occupying air space.

Perhaps it was a busy time, and as you weren't going to go anywhere didn't need to contact him, so he wondered what your intentions were? Remember that being asked your intentions is usual practise, although it can seem confrontational it's not - they just want to know what you're up to. I'm sure Alex or Chris D will back me up here.

Maybe it was a bad time, it seems like a stressful job, I am often amazed at how calm Alex comes across on the airwaves, even when faced with a pilot using the callsign ZK-YARRRRR :lol:

Anyway, don't take it to heart.

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:50 pm**

ZK-MAT wrote: Hi Ian

Was this on Vatsim mate?

I often just turn up at an airport, usually sitting in a Cessna somewhere and tune to the tower or other atc to listen. I don't normally file a plan, and have found I get left alone till I file a plan or atc is bored and wants to chat lol. They normally text you when you need to contact them.

I don't see a problem, but you mentioned you contacted tower.

I would suggest that you could file a flight plan if you wanted, even to say 'parked at gate until xxx time', or 'observing', but you don't actually need to contact tower or atc unless you are going to be occupying air space.

Perhaps it was a busy time, and as you weren't going to go anywhere didn't need to contact him, so he wondered what your intentions were? Remember that being asked your intentions is usual practise, although it can seem confrontational it's not - they just want to know what you're up to. I'm sure Alex or Chris D will back me up here.

Maybe it was a bad time, it seems like a stressful job, I am often amazed at how calm Alex comes across on the airwaves, even when faced with a pilot using the callsign ZK-YARRRRR

Anyway, don't take it to heart.

Hi Matt,
I hadn't filed a plan and contacted him on private chat, apparently in the states you don't talk to controllers on private chat !!! Oh yes it was Vatsim. Just the way he worded it really cheesed me off.
I also have got that problem sorted out,really good knowledgeable bloke gave me a tip, not sure what the prob was but its done.
Sorry about disappearing the other night,when you said FS had frozen blow me down if mine didn't disconnect completely ?
Nunner

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:18 pm**

It's probably not a great idea to start a private chat with an ATC unless you know them. I guess it would be like phoning up the tower from your plane and just saying gidday, rather than using the radio

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:02 pm**

ZK-MAT wrote: It's probably not a great idea to start a private chat with an ATC unless you know them. I guess it would be like phoning up the tower from your plane and just saying gidday, rather than using the radio

Maybe its turning 50 last week it has turned me into a sensitive,grumpy old git !!...or maybe being new to this I am not using private chat for the use its designed for which is.........................?
Nunner

Posted: **Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:57 pm**

Happy birthday for last week ya grumpy old git!!

Just kidding of course, Snowman's the only one I can call an old git *hides*

Anyway, I would use the private text to chat amongst other pilots, and friends, rather than ATC or people you don't know.

There's a thread on the Vatpac forum about this very thing, I've dug it out:

http://www.vatpac.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7342

Posted: **Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:06 pm**

Nunner, remember tyhat it could just be this one controller. Many of the controllers on VATSIM are American, this could easily be an isolated incident. When flying in the USA online I go to KSFO mainly... my experiences have been very friendly there.

NZFF

USA Flying