Stand By

Bernoulli Fan · February 5th, 2008, 19:56

Hi controllers,

One flight instructor told me that I should read back a "stand by," but another told me no response is expected. I did a brief search of the AIM and previous posts on the forum, but couldn't find any information, so I'd appreciate your opinions, or even facts if you got 'em.

Thanks.

vheissu · February 5th, 2008, 20:12

I personally don't respond with anything. I'm sure some ATC folk can chime in though..

whysoserial · February 5th, 2008, 20:27

I personally don't respond. The controller obviously doesn't have time for you right now or has something else to do so replying to their "standby" with a "ok standing by" or something equally ridiculous is only congesting the frequency and their brain even more. There's nothing to read back, so why read back anything?

Some people love the sound of their voice though.

Cptnchia · February 5th, 2008, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by whysoserial

Some people love the sound of their voice though.

Don't they! And they're the ones who don't listen to the controller in the first place. Gotta love the ones who, after the controller says, "Acknowledge with callsign only," then proceed to read back the entire clearance.

ATC RET 2003 · February 5th, 2008, 22:13

I'll add the pilot/controller glossary to the list of resources... and it also doesn't give any hints as to what the response should or shouldn't be.

I can't remember any time that I used that phrase that I expected an acknowledgement or reply. Likewise, I can't recall any response I got to a "stand by" that got me bent out of shape.

Looks like this might be another one of those things that isn't covered by a hard and fast rule.

If your instructor tells you to reply... reply. If another one tells you don't... don't.

When you're the PIC, you decide.

Now... let me flip the question...

If you ever tell a controller to "stand by" (and if you haven't yet, you likely will one of these days), what response would YOU expect or prefer?

USMC-SGT · February 5th, 2008, 22:19

When I tell ATC to standby I prefer nothing or maybe a roger but dont really care what they respond with. Since I was too busy in the first place and asked them to standby odds are whatever they reply with I am not really paying much attention to anyway...or the unconvential and non approved 2 mic clicks works just as well.

ATC RET 2003 · February 5th, 2008, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cptnchia

Don't they! And they're the ones who don't listen to the controller in the first place. Gotta love the ones who, after the controller says, "Acknowledge with callsign only," then proceed to read back the entire clearance.

I saw a guy once that had a genuine beehive of a sector... frequency utterly congested... everybody stepping on everybody...

He keys up and says, "Allright... EVERYBODY maintain radio silence!"

He got seven "rogers"

Omdahl · February 6th, 2008, 10:54

I personally like no reply at all being the only reason I say stand-by is because I'm busy with something else. No roger, no double click, nada. Just my opinion.

MikeDelta · February 6th, 2008, 22:56

When I say stand by, I do not expect that aircraft to say anything. There is a reason I said stand by, usually I'm dealing with something more imminent and will get back to you.

ATLTRACON · February 13th, 2008, 11:16

This happens all of the time, but from my perspective, I do not want to hear a reply to stand by.
DAL159 Heavy, four miles from FREAL, turn right heading 255, maintain 5000 till established on the localizer, cleared ILS/PRM runway 26R approach. STAND BY with your read back.
KAL039 Heavy, turn right heading 180.
DAL159 Heavy go ahead with your read back.

When issued, I anyway, DO NOT expect the pilot to read back stand by. Kinda defeats the purpose of standing by.

CJ @ A80

loubetti · February 15th, 2008, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLTRACON

This happens all of the time, but from my perspective, I do not want to hear a reply to stand by.
DAL159 Heavy, four miles from FREAL, turn right heading 255, maintain 5000 till established on the localizer, cleared ILS/PRM runway 26R approach. STAND BY with your read back.
KAL039 Heavy, turn right heading 180.
DAL159 Heavy go ahead with your read back.

When issued, I anyway, DO NOT expect the pilot to read back stand by. Kinda defeats the purpose of standing by.

CJ @ A80

After 32 years I have yet to reply to a "standby". Not necessary or expected.

Now, here's another one:

You are requesting VFR advisories (no, not "Flight Following", that is no longer the term to use).

ATC comes back with "Skyhawk 12345 squawk 3641".

What do you say in response?

PilotChip · February 16th, 2008, 01:30

Don't say anything at all after being told to stand by. There's most likely a reason the controller doesn't want any further transmissions from you at that time.

=)

PilotChip · February 16th, 2008, 01:33

"You are requesting VFR advisories (no, not "Flight Following", that is no longer the term to use).

ATC comes back with "Skyhawk 12345 squawk 3641".

What do you say in response?"

Standard acknowledgment should suffice:

"Skyhawk #, wilco" or "Sqk 3641, skyhawk #"