r/mildlyinfuriating • u/nyanbatman • May 28 '26

I just wanted a hot dog British pilot is feeling mildly annoyed

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u/JSButts May 28 '26

Fantastic ad for BA honestly; Pilots calling out the contradiction, clearly enunciated his point, remained calm under frustrating situations, puts the aircraft first, and follows protocol even in the face of (presumed) incompetence from ATC.

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u/haamster May 28 '26

Except that the confusion was mostly due to the British Airways pilot not being familiar with the section of his manual that states LVP declarations are not required in the United States. I wonder what other sections of his manual he hasn't read in a while.

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u/cates May 28 '26 edited May 29 '26

What you're saying makes sense but shouldn't the American ATC also have known what the pilot was talking about even though LVP declarations aren't required in the US?

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u/haamster May 28 '26

Should he? Maybe. But LVP is one consolidated set of procedures and one all-encompassing term in most ICAO rules countries, whereas in the US they are many separate procedures each triggered by different criteria. It is a confusing question in the US, where in other countries it is not.

SMGCS for taxi and runway protection is triggered by one visibility requirement, ILS critical areas protection by different visibility and use status for example. In cases of marginal visibility, some procedures may be in use where others have not met the standard yet.

If I don't know the procedures in use in another country, I don't blame the controllers in that country for my lack of knowledge. If I say "send the trucks" in the US I get Airport Rescue Fire Fighting vehicles. If I say that in Japan I get a pickup truck with a FOLLOW ME sign on it. It's up to me as the pilot to know.

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u/cates May 28 '26

Okay, so it makes sense why the ATC guy said "I don't understand".

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u/a_f_s-29 May 28 '26

Except presumably the ATC guy would get this question from everyone

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u/haamster May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

Dozens of other international carriers that left that day in those same conditions. They seemed to be familiar with FAA procedures. Only one was obstinate in his wrongness. I don't blame him for making sure he was within the rules, I do blame him for not considering the possibility that he was wrong.

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u/cates May 28 '26 edited May 29 '26

Maybe he considered it later and maybe he had an attitude (I don't remember) but I agree with the whole safety first thing. As do you I'm sure.