Flight delayed? Former air traffic controller reveals that it could be because your plane was routed off course as ‘punishment’ for the pilots ignoring instructions
There are countless reasons for flight delays, from bad weather to technical problems with an aircraft.
To the list, a former air traffic controller reveals, may be added petty revenge.
In his riveting book Life With A View – Memoir of an Air Traffic Controller, Robin A. Smith reveals that pilots who ignore or fail to pay close enough attention to air traffic controller instructions can be sent off course as punishment. These course changes are called “deceleration vectors” in business, Smith explains.
He writes: ‘We tell pilots where to go and what to do, without the possibility of imposing consequences. Amazingly, pilots comply. Unlike real law enforcement officers, inspectors cannot impose a fine or issue and enforce a penalty at their discretion.
‘With one exception: delay vectors.
In his riveting book Life With A View – Memoir of an Air Traffic Controller, Robin A. Smith reveals that pilots who ignore or fail to pay close enough attention to air traffic controller instructions can be sent off course as punishment.
“Non-compliant pilots occasionally find themselves on the receiving end of delay vectors.”
In other words, they are led off course.
Smith, who has served as a domestic and international controller at two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) towers in the US, continues: “Delay vectors are sometimes issued just to give the pilot time to stay in the penalty box for not paying attention. ‘
Life With A View – Memoir of an Air Traffic Controller is available from Amazon in the UK and US
He also revealed that sarcastic instructions are sometimes given, writing: “The controller might command, “Turn left ten degrees for noise reduction.”
(And the plane might respond) ‘We are 30 miles south of the airfield, above the desert. What noise reduction?”’
To which the air traffic controller would respond: ‘Two planes crashing into each other make a lot of noise. Traffic, 12 o’clock five miles opposite at your latitude.’
Smith adds: “In general, pilots follow instructions without hesitation because they believe the voice in their ear is all-powerful.”
A Boeing Dreamliner captain confirmed anonymously to MailOnline Travel that flight crew are sometimes punished by air traffic controllers.
He said, “I was naughty by Tokyo ATC a few months ago. We wanted to make a turn to avoid a storm. They didn’t like that and we were given an extra 20 minutes to fly for the effort.’
Life With A View – Memoirs Of An Air Traffic Controller, By Robin A Smith And Published By iUniversecould be ordered from Amazon for £9.95 ($9.20).