[ATLTRACON]

Originally Posted by cime_sp

Oh...OK. Makes sense now. You'll have to excuse me I've been in training for the last two months where they don't teach any of this stuff!!!! I've missed out on all this "Descend via" and mandatory speed stuff.

One more question. Why is there very little consistency with regard to how speeds are assigned on these arrivals. It seems as though the controllers are almost intentionally vague as to whether they want to speeds or not and as I'm sure you've noticed it makes the pilots constantly ask whether or not they want the speeds.

It's all a ruse. We don't really know what we are doing. I personally find it to be a pain in the $^% that these speeds are on the STAR. My goal is to put you 5 miles in trail all the way down the downwind. I tell the pilots coming in on the longside "delete the speed" or "maintain 300 kts UNTIL FURTHER ADVISED". The next thing you know you are slowing at the required areas or asking me whether I want you to slow. UNTIL FURTHER ADVISED!!!! I would not ask. Until the controller specifically says something about speed (IE UNTIL FURTHER ADVISED MAINTAIN 280 kts), fly the speeds that are on the STAR.