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Fox Xray · November 28th, 2006, 10:27

It depends... use common sense, if the controller sounds busy, say has a lot of A/C on frequency, is holding, etc. ... it's probably not a good time to start asking for direct somewhere.

The majority of directs have to be worked out on the land line because pilots often request to go direct to a fix in someone else's airspace. If it is not covered by a LOA then manual coordination is required. Keep in mind that the sector you are in my not be busy but where the fix you are requesting direct to may be busy. Before I call I try and see what is happening in the sector, if they are busy I won't bother the controller with a request.

If you fly the same routes often you'll quickly learn what will get approved and what will not. I have numerous pilots fly through sectors I work that know all the tricks... they know what to ask for and exactly where to ask for it. That also helps get things approved.

For the most part I (and many of my colleagues) do not get annoyed at the requests, I understand where the pilots are coming from. Use common sense... if the direct will help avoid weather or some other safety issue, by all means request and state the reason.

November 28th, 2006, 10:27	#2
Fox Xray ATC Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 456	Re: does this annoy you? It depends... use common sense, if the controller sounds busy, say has a lot of A/C on frequency, is holding, etc. ... it's probably not a good time to start asking for direct somewhere. The majority of directs have to be worked out on the land line because pilots often request to go direct to a fix in someone else's airspace. If it is not covered by a LOA then manual coordination is required. Keep in mind that the sector you are in my not be busy but where the fix you are requesting direct to may be busy. Before I call I try and see what is happening in the sector, if they are busy I won't bother the controller with a request. If you fly the same routes often you'll quickly learn what will get approved and what will not. I have numerous pilots fly through sectors I work that know all the tricks... they know what to ask for and exactly where to ask for it. That also helps get things approved. For the most part I (and many of my colleagues) do not get annoyed at the requests, I understand where the pilots are coming from. Use common sense... if the direct will help avoid weather or some other safety issue, by all means request and state the reason.