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You are all set for a fine day of
flying. You fire up your
FS2K2, and load up your favorite plane. You feel like company so you
engage Squawkbox. Diligently,
you enter the waypoints and hit the ‘connect’ switch. Logging on, you see there is no
controller where you are at so you start off from Omaha, Nebraska on your
own, headed for Chicago.
About the time you reach Des Moines, Iowa,
you get a call from CHI_CTR.
He tells you that you are to expect landing on RWY 27L. Your FMS is not geared for that
and you scramble to find the charts.
Lag is horrible. You
cannot find your charts.
Scrolling up to the messages you missed, you see where CTR told you
five minutes ago to change course direct to LSE.
“DIR LSE? What does this IDIOT think HE is
doing?” I am all set up and
now I have to CHANGE MY BEAUTIFUL FP?”
You politely SCREAM AT THE CONTROLLER BY
TYPING IN ALL CAPS to repeat the instructions.
“N3256L, Climb and maintain FL330, DIR LSE
for Vectors to ILS RWY 04R.”
Now that tears it. Not only do you NOT want to climb
to FL330 (A Cessna 310 has a hard time getting there to start with), he
has switched the runways on you AGAIN. (Feel the frustration level
rising?)
You delete all those beautiful waypoints
and set in LSE. You tell
CTR,
“Unable FL330. Request to remain at present
altitude.”
“N3256L, Maintain current altitude. Why haven’t you started your turn
to LSE yet? I have a conflict
here and you are causing it!”
Frustrated, you respond back, “Because your
f#$%^ instructions don’t make sense.”
The next thing you know, you have someone
called DA_SUP sending you a message.
He wants to know about the language you have been using. (Geez, it’s hard enough to fly
this airplane and deal with STUPID controllers but NOW? I do not have time for this stuff!
And right when I have to report passing LSE. CTR hasn’t even given me the
approach course, ILS Frequency, or anything!) You decide not to respond.
What’s this? A message saying I have been
BANNED by DA_SUP? How DARE
HE! Who does he think he
is?! I am going to send an
e-mail off to VATSIM and THEY will straighten these people out!!! |
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Sound familiar? Ever had a situation similar to
this happen to you? Ever
wanted to reach through the phone lines and put your hands around the
Controller’s (or Pilot’s) scrawny neck?
Flying with FS95, FS98, FS2K, or FS2K2 is
fun. However, it lacks
something. Then, along came a
group of guys and lo and behold, Pro Controller and Squawkbox were
born. Now, you can interact
with other REAL people while flying.
That is, to me at least, the greatest part of this hobby –
interacting with REAL people.
Unfortunately, this has some hazards associated with it.
We have to remember (as controllers and as
pilots) that not everyone is as good at what they do as we are. With a membership database of over
18,000, we have a tremendous diversity in our group. For many, English is a second
language. That will make it hard to understand them sometimes. We have to be patient.
While I may be able to type at 80 words per
minute or so, some people still use the tried and true ‘hunt and peck’
method of typing. Lag is a
factor in some cases. Not
everyone can afford an AMD 1Gig machine with a T-1 connection (I
know I can’t). We have to be
patient.
No one likes to have their plans messed
up. I suggest you take it as
a challenge to improve your skills when that happens. If a pilot takes off without
permission, think of it as a radio out situation or hijacking and see what
you have to do to divert traffic around them. If a controller tells you to set
up for RWY 31L instead of RWY 22, see how efficient you can make your new
flight plan. If you cannot
find the charts you need, ask CTR or APP for assistance. Remember – maintaining separation
between aircraft if their primary purpose. They will provide assistance when
able.
Finally, remember two main points. First, it is only a GAME. Lives do NOT hang on the balance
of who is right and who is wrong.
Second, if you wish, all you have to do is hit the ‘disconnect’
switch and continue on using your perfect flightplan. It may not be as much fun but it
will save you a long term suspension if you lose your temper and swear at
the controller.
Warm Regards and Happy
Controlling/Flying,
VATGOV11
(The
events depicted herein are fictitious and any resemblance to any
individual, living or dead, is purely coincidence)
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