spiderweb
Final Approach
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2005
- Messages
- 9,488
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Display name:
Ben
The ATC folks at Potomac are the best in the business, and have been great during the five years I have flown with them. I was wondering, though, about something I've noticed. Whenever I am flying to BWI, I never have any problems, but when I have transitioned, I have sometimes run into strange situations. For example, a few times traveling to KFDK from places like KRDG, KLNS, or recently from N57, the first controller seems not to have communicated my clearance to the Potomac folks. In several cases I have been queried as to why I wasn't going direct to Frederick when my clearance up to that point had been via airways, for example.
This last time I was cleared to Frederick via airways and the BAL VORTAC. This was not at all the way I filed, because it would take me out of the way and route me right through the center of Bravo. (Side note--I'm quite comfortable in Bravo, but I couldn't see the need for me to become an unnecessary FLIB for ATC.) Nevertheless I had obediently copied and read back. I flew and followed the clearance, but after being switched off to Potomac, on the airway to BAL I asked, "By the way, I've been cleared to Frederick via BAL, direct; destination is KFDK, would you like to change the clearance?" I asked this because not only for myself, but because I know how busy class-B BWI is, as I have about 300 hours of experience there. The controller responded with, "Yes, I'd like you direct Frederick at this time."
Another time, I was going from KESN to KFDK. Upon receiving "radar contact," I was on vectors (normal for ops in Class B, of course), but at one point asked to go direct BAL. This I did until I was about 3 miles from overflying the VORTAC. At that point I called up to ask them what they wanted me to do once crossing--continue with the original clearance (which would have necessitated a significant turn) or would I be staying on vectors after crossing the VORTAC? The very relaxed and pleasant controller said, "N12345 . . . I think I'd like you to . . . just go direct Frederick after crossing BAL."
I would appreciate the comments of the experienced IFR pilots and CFIIs on any of this. (And I'm sorry if this sounds convoluted--I'm sleepy, but wanted to ask about this before going off to bed! )
PS: I love the Potomac controllers because they are very professional and friendly with all pilots. I never feel like a FLIB. I have, however, heard very nasty pilots who chose to argue with the controllers over minor points. (For example, there was the airline pilot who got extremely angry at controller who told him he could proceed direct to the airport. He said--and I quote--"What the heck does that mean? How about some proper headings?" *sigh* )
This last time I was cleared to Frederick via airways and the BAL VORTAC. This was not at all the way I filed, because it would take me out of the way and route me right through the center of Bravo. (Side note--I'm quite comfortable in Bravo, but I couldn't see the need for me to become an unnecessary FLIB for ATC.) Nevertheless I had obediently copied and read back. I flew and followed the clearance, but after being switched off to Potomac, on the airway to BAL I asked, "By the way, I've been cleared to Frederick via BAL, direct; destination is KFDK, would you like to change the clearance?" I asked this because not only for myself, but because I know how busy class-B BWI is, as I have about 300 hours of experience there. The controller responded with, "Yes, I'd like you direct Frederick at this time."
Another time, I was going from KESN to KFDK. Upon receiving "radar contact," I was on vectors (normal for ops in Class B, of course), but at one point asked to go direct BAL. This I did until I was about 3 miles from overflying the VORTAC. At that point I called up to ask them what they wanted me to do once crossing--continue with the original clearance (which would have necessitated a significant turn) or would I be staying on vectors after crossing the VORTAC? The very relaxed and pleasant controller said, "N12345 . . . I think I'd like you to . . . just go direct Frederick after crossing BAL."
I would appreciate the comments of the experienced IFR pilots and CFIIs on any of this. (And I'm sorry if this sounds convoluted--I'm sleepy, but wanted to ask about this before going off to bed! )
PS: I love the Potomac controllers because they are very professional and friendly with all pilots. I never feel like a FLIB. I have, however, heard very nasty pilots who chose to argue with the controllers over minor points. (For example, there was the airline pilot who got extremely angry at controller who told him he could proceed direct to the airport. He said--and I quote--"What the heck does that mean? How about some proper headings?" *sigh* )
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