Things Pilots Say On VATSIM That Are UNNECESSARY!

Flying on VATSIM means communicating well with pilots and air traffic control, but there are a things plenty of pilots say on Vatsim that they dont need to say at all!

Thank you to these VATSIM ATC controllers for their help!

[tryhardtrigg]

From a pilot’s perspective, “with you” is often heard IRL as well. Honestly though, no one cares. It’s the same as the guy who says “good morning”. It doesn’t clog the airwaves and the only people who seem to take issue with it are flying sims… it’s very odd… I get where you’re coming from but it’s a non-issue really.

[borenkd]

The only thing that is absolutely required on Vatsim is if you’re checking in as a JetBlue flight you must say

[ifirekirby]

Agree with everything in this video except the “with you” thing. I understand that it takes up extra time and that it’s heavily memed across ARTCC discords, but my argument in that case would be that there are other phrases commonly used by pilots and controllers are a “waste of time.”

For example-
“Checking in” - What’s the point of saying it if the controller already knows you’re doing it by talking on the frequency?
“Hello, ” “Bye bye, ” “Good night, ” “Good day, ” “Cya” - These are all small pleasantries that take up time on the frequency and do not really add anything to the conversation in terms of action.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t say the above phrases, I’m just pointing out that if we’re going to be THAT strict about frequency time then all these phrases are completely unnecessary.

We should either not say any of them or be okay with minuscule exchanges. You can frequently find pilots saying “with you” in real life ATC interactions, and I still haven’t found out why it’s so demonized.

[JustSimplyDave]

I would add “….requesting clearance, as filed”. No s___t, otherwise, you wouldn’t have filed it that way.

[NerdyRL]

So glad you made this video. As a controller, I've noticed newer pilots think they're obligated to readback everything you say even things like "vector for approach...", just added stuff they don't need. So thank

[el_quba]

As for the "with you" (the most controversial bit undoubtedly), maybe it's not necessary, but that doesn't mean you have to omit it. Sure, if you're flying into London at pretty much anytime, every syllable matters. But sometimes, when flying into some small airport in Eastern Europe with a lonely Tower you can be the only pilot on that frequency and those little personal touches matter. Sure, ICAO standard phraseology does not require any "human" phrases, but talking like robots in those less busy airspaces would be pretty depressing. So I always add some "hello", "good night", "thank you for your service" when situation allows, because we are talking with other humans after all.

[Flexflex]

At one point I flew in Egypt and there was a event from Russia to Sharm el Sheikh going on. Literally 80% of all pilots asked which runway was in use and stuff like that. I don't know if that is a common thing in Russia, but apperently noone took a look at the ATIS.

[windsorspitfire]

You say that we should say "Hey checking in" instead of "with you". They mean the same thing and "with you" is 2 syllables shorter, and commonly recognized as a RL radio call. Like "good morning, " it communicates that this is your first call on the freq and that your call is for the purpose of identifying yourself and letting ATC know you are on freq. Of course all of this could be omitted but then ATC might wonder why you made the call and if he missed a request.

[kingj]

There’s also pilots that incorrectly read back takeoff clearances. IE: controller: Delta 123, wind 020 at 5, turn right heading 320, runway 30 cleared for takeoff. Pilot: runway 30 cleared for takeoff, Delta 123. Completely omitting the assigned heading (due to the type of SID). I hear this as a VATSIM controller and flying irl….

[-maxipoo-]

1:14 If applicable, you must readback RNAV. For example :

ATC: "Airline 1234, winds 567 at 8, cleared for takeoff runway 9, RNAV WYPNT."
Pilot: "Cleared for takeoff runway 9, RNAV WYPNT, Airline 1234."

[awkwardsilence]

Informative video! Even though I don't do any of this stuff, I still find it fascinating. So keep it up, Hoch!

[pilottech]

I knew "with you" would be on this! I always try to not say this, but it has become a habit at this point. Something about it, it just sounds like it fits😅

[BaconSarnie]

NEWS FLASH *We arent real pilots* Most of us dont know this stuff, so get over yourself

[kevo]

Hi, as a controller I'd like to add just one thing: radio checks.
I don't know exactly what's up with radio checks. Maybe for some people it's a checklist item or an SOP. If you must radio check, just to make sure your pilot client is working, that's fine. Please do not radio check every single time you go onto a new frequency.

[gorillachinchilla]

Is there a definite guide available anywhere for all vatsim radio calls?

[t.s.thomas]

A bigger problem than “with you”….people who think talking fast is the way to sound cool. In the real world, brevity has its place, like ORD ground. But going fast when there’s only 5 other airplanes at the airport is just asking to mess things up.

[BtcSimmer]

Lol this video true and funny I do say “with you” gotta work on that and guilty of some reading back but never a “roger standing by” or reading anymore then needed on a takeoff or landing clearance Vatsim is great thanks for video!

[DenverDashCam]

Well that's a familiar voice. Didn't expect Royal Caribbean Blog to have a flight sim channel.

[jonaskoch]

As a Vatsim controller I would like the departure frequency read back as well. Not only the runway. Else we have no idea if the pilot understood that you are to call departure by yourself l.

[Drysen]

Those dance moves at the start of the video was fire!