Say reason for change of destination

Part 91 personal flight on "VFR-on-top" IFR flight plan. Halfway through the 3hr flight I asked to change my destination, essentially due to a change of plans about where my passenger and I wanted to stay that night and do the following day. ARTCC asked the reason for my change, which I explained somewhat ungracefully, and had me standby for several minutes before giving me a new clearance ("direct [dest], maintain VFR on top"). Is it standard practice for ATC to ask the reason for a change of destination? Is there some brief way I can explain myself in a similar situation? Neither the original nor new destination was busy or under flow control, they were relatively close to each other, and we were >250nm away when I asked for the diversion.

"Passenger request". They don't need to know that your passengers are just friends or family.

This.

Yes, I have been asked this while flying 135 as well. It has to do with post-9/11.

"I'm experiencing a greenish-orange discharge from my penis that smells like onions but tastes like chocolate."


I used to say that when a supe asked why I was calling in sick... it pretty much brought the nosy questions to a halt.
Better you follow TFaudree's advice, though. Less chance for repercussions that way.

God, if I could only remember that the next time! You got a lol out of me.

Ok, when I have a passenger I'll just say it's a passenger request. When I'm solo that won't fly because obviously the controller is going to look up the souls-on-board figure in my flight plan, so I'll use the second suggestion

This reminds me of something I heard a few months ago up in Northern Michigan talking to Minnie Center:

"Center, N123 would like to change destination to XXX"
"N123, say reason for change of destination?"
"Our passenger has to use the bathroom. BAD."

It was pretty funny. And yeah, they'll ask every single time. I'm not really sure why but they do. Just give a very vague reason as to why (pax request is good) and you're set.

Security. Post-9/11 addition to 7110.65.

http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N7210.761.pdf
Looks like you get reported to the "Domestic Events Network". Yikes. Maybe next time I'll just cancel IFR.

They don't seem to be asking military aircraft for a reason they're changing destinations... I changed destinations 3 times the other day and besides the "awesome" north east routings they issued, they didn't hassle me.

As mentioned above, the DEN has to be notified. The DEN doesn't care. It's just the procedure. Maybe it gets recorded somehow.

I always re-clear the aircraft immediately and let a supe make the DEN call. No need to delay the aircraft. Hope not to find out that's the wrong thing to do.

"Physiological needs."

Much fewer question if you just say you have to take a dump.... everybody gets that. Women are even more embarrassed and will probably give you direct!

I'd try not to get my nose too far out of joint when asked a simple question like that. There are certainly plenty of cases where pilots needed special assistance but failed to request it for one reason or another.

This.

Actually mine are usually, "well, the airport I want to go to was forecast to fog in, but it didn't, so I want to go there now." Well, that's the real reason anyway.

This.

I'd likely just say "PIC decision." I want to go there. Who cares why, unless it's an emergency? If it is, I'll tell you.

I read this and was still laughing when I finished the thread, if only I was still flying GA/ corp.