Today, while I was controlling the ground frequency at OMDB, I had to implement a gate hold for flights heading to OTHH to prevent an excessive number of aircraft departing simultaneously. I sincerely apologize for the widespread delays this caused.
I want to thank those pilots who patiently waited for their turn, but I also understand that not everyone has the time to endure delays. Unfortunately, some pilots disregarded instructions and proceeded with pushback or taxiing on their own. This behavior is unfair to those who followed instructions and waited patiently, which is why I reported them.
To those pilots I reported: I hope this serves as a reminder that such behavior on the Expert Server will always result in being reported. Please do not take chances with this.
Thank you for your understanding, and I hope we can foster a harmonious community where everyone respects ATC instructions!
You did a great job however, before gate hold came in effect you were using a 1-rwy system which in my opinion should have not been and especially from a hub like Dubai. Both rwys should have been utilized to minimize delays on ground as there were also many flights that were no bound for Doha. Nevertheless great amount of respect from me!
Dubaiâs layout makes this a bit tricky - particularly with the single taxiway in between the two runways - using both for takeoffs and landings usually ends up creating head-to-head blockades on this taxiway.
I think what youâre saying is fair, In those major hubs they have specific departing and arriving runways. This means that you know what runway you are arriving into and preventing to many go-arounds.
This is a great reminder that IFATC controllers donât fool. If pilots play around, theyâll find out. Expert server has strict standards, and we, the controllers, will enforce the rules.
Follow instructions, be patient, and youâll be fine.
I flew out of OTHH today and I saw the masses of traffic coming in. The funny thing was is that I didnât know OTHH was the hub airport today as I rarely check the IFATC schedule and I make my own routes. I just happened to be at OTHH.
Well done. You handled that situation very well. I think most pilots dont really understand that what we do is VITAL for the smooth flow of airspaces and our instructions are not suggestions. Its situations like these that have lead me to start getting my operations in so i can join the IFATC.
Ive seen several topics now from this incident from both perspectives complaining about how things happened/were handled. Every time chaos like this ensues on the ES, both parties (Pilots, and IFATC respectively) join together in their cult-like behavior and blame the other side for the problems that occured.
While I agree that pilots should follow ATC instructions and that rules should be enforced, controllers should not act as if they are superior to everyone else. Newsflash, we are all equals, period. It doesnât matter if you have the âATC Supervisorâ or âIFATCâ tag, that can be taken away in an instant. Ive seen more of this superiority from controllers on the fourm lately and it makes me disappointed. In real life it is the shared responsibility between pilots and controllers to keep the skies safe.
Also for pilots: when there is a lot of traffic we have to give controllers some grace. They have standards to meet, regulations to follow, and seperation requirements to ensure. In real life, their could be 20+ controllers working that airport while in IF it is limited quite severely. There is absolutely no reason or time in IF where it is justified to disregard ATC instructions. If you have doubts, follow the instructions, complete your flight, and then send the controller a message with your replay and ask them, if necessary, take it up the IFATC chain of command. This method avoids the possibility of violations completely.
Blaming and shaming the other side is not how we solve this issue. Controllers fear mongering pilots into submission, and pilots pointing the finger blaming controllers does absolutely nothing. It is not constructive or productive whatsoever.
What we need to do is focus on ourselves
If you are a pilot:
Are you familiar with the rules of the server your flying on
Are you familiar with airport ground markings
Are you familiar with your aircraft performance numbers
Have you looked through the tutorials if unsure about a certain aspect
If you have questions, ask!
⊠the list goes on
If you are a controller:
Are you current and proficient in your knowledge and skills? (If you had to retake the written and practical (for each additional position qualified for), would you pass?)
Have you kept up to date with the ATC manual? (whens the last time you read it?)
How about policies and procedures behind reporting?
Whens the last time you analyzed your replays to see where you could improve your skills?
If you have questions, ask!
⊠the list goes on
If we each individually evaluate our own performance and strive to improve, the flying environement on all servers will improve dramatically. Yes, its a simulator so causal server can be chaos for fun. But for expert server, all of this applies.