I might hijack this to ask a question: I'm planning to fly into PHL on Monday (Labor Day), say hello to a couple of friends, then head off to Ocean City NJ for the day, back to Philly in the evening, and then depart.
For those curious on costs, I talked with Atlantic and their fees don't seem insane: $10 landing (x2), $20 security (x1, good for the day), and $40 ramp (waived with 15 gallons). I realize PHL fuel prices are on the obscene side, but I rent "wet" and reimbursement isn't pegged to local prices, so if overpriced fuel paid by somebody else (sort of) saves me $40, so be it.
Anyway, the question: What's my best way to figure out when to fly in to get in the way of as few people as possible? I'm comfortable in bravo, happy to "maintain best forward speed", looked over the airport diagram, etc., but have no idea what their Labor Day schedule is like, and if showing up an hour earlier or an hour later would save some congestion or headache, I'd like to do that.
Every time I've called ATC on the phone, it's been for clearances and the like and seemed very much like a radio conversation in that everything was quick and to the point. Is there a number to call to just ask "if I'm showing up Monday VFR, what times will you be particularly busy?" Or am I better off just calling on arrival and expecting to get vectored around a bit if need be?