SWA getting the luv from ATC
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#22
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I don't blame SWA for most of this, I blame ATC for rewarding them. I'm sure the press would love to hear about a government agencey giving preferential treatment to the most profitable airline in the industry, causing other airlines to burn more gas, be late etc...
The Pelican
I can tell you stories of ALK and Horizon getting what I consdered preferential treatment from the ATC, but I "calmed down and took at deep breath." After talking will the controllers they explained the "situation" to me and it made sense. No need to get upset, just call them. I have never had an unpleasant conversation with the ATC folks. Did you call them after your incident in SEA? If the way you described it was true and not an embellishment, I certainly would have.
If you have proof that purchasing a few pizzas has allowed us to have preferential treatment than call the press anytime. I am sure they will take up the cause.
BTW - I try, as do most people at SWA to be ready for that moment that will expedite things. It appears that the ATC folks do to. Why wouldn't they want to get rid of us as quickly (and safely) as possible. Besides, what is wrong with a liitle bribe now and then?
Last edited by OscartheGrouch; 08-16-2008 at 08:21 AM.
#23
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Like I said, I'm not about to call the presses, I'm just blowing off steam on here like everybody else. The incident in SEA was the most blatant and unsafe. It was truly like a bratty kid getting rewarded for his behavior. I'm sure the SWA captain was bragging to his FO about how he got ahead of us and saved 2 minutes.
FORTL- Good points.
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 163
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SWA does taxi fast and that's a fact. I was taxiing on a nice straight dry taxiway at a good clip, still below taxi limit speed, (of course) and some unknown came on frequency and asked me if I had an app in with Southwest! Found that funny!
#26
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When SWA was still on Freq, we asked tower for a phone number and called them when we landed. They apologized as it was a new controller and he said he wasn't paying attention when they passed us from behind on the parellel.
Like I said, I'm not about to call the presses, I'm just blowing off steam on here like everybody else. The incident in SEA was the most blatant and unsafe. It was truly like a bratty kid getting rewarded for his behavior. I'm sure the SWA captain was bragging to his FO about how he got ahead of us and saved 2 minutes.
FORTL- Good points.
Like I said, I'm not about to call the presses, I'm just blowing off steam on here like everybody else. The incident in SEA was the most blatant and unsafe. It was truly like a bratty kid getting rewarded for his behavior. I'm sure the SWA captain was bragging to his FO about how he got ahead of us and saved 2 minutes.
FORTL- Good points.
I will tell you that if I had seen a SWA a/c "cut" you off like that I would have had a discussion with them about it. Again, if it is as you say then I will apologize for them.
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There is a difference between asking for an intersection take off that expedites your departure and inconveniencing another aircraft. It is called being professional and courteous. From what I have observed the ATC folks are always both.
As a side note, a few days ago while taxiing out behind an AA and UAL a/c (in PHX) I had my brand new FO (yes we teach them this from the very beginning) run numbers for an intersection take off and we were gone before the AA aircraft got to the end. No bragging, but two minutes is two minutes.
Last edited by OscartheGrouch; 08-16-2008 at 10:10 AM.
#28
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Normal operations at ORD is intersection takeoffs. If you request the full 13,000' length, ATC has no problem giving it to you, but it normally adds 30 minutes due to roundabout taxi and waiting for a hole in the arrival stream on the crossing runway.
Ref your experience in OAK, you said that you were 10 out on dogleg with flaps 5. If SW was close to that distance, I'm sure that they would have been clean and 250 (or greater). When it is close to a tie ATC usually seems to favor the faster aircraft.
I don't work for SW.
Joe
Ref your experience in OAK, you said that you were 10 out on dogleg with flaps 5. If SW was close to that distance, I'm sure that they would have been clean and 250 (or greater). When it is close to a tie ATC usually seems to favor the faster aircraft.
I don't work for SW.
Joe
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#29
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Or let me put it another way. I will take off non stop to LAS from ISP with the runway available there, but I won't take an intersection with more runway available from PHX to LAX. I guess I am unsafe.
Last edited by OscartheGrouch; 08-16-2008 at 12:33 PM.
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