Chad Black Posted December 6, 2005 at 06:00 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 06:00 PM (edited) With all the "hoopla" lately about Los Angeles ARTCC, I think a simple, no strings attached, pat on the back is long over-do. Last night Mr. Smith had his hands full to say the least. He was dealing with a couple of newbie’s, what sounded like 30 IFR aircraft, 3 VFR aircraft (one being me), a fecal load of people asking for departure clearances, and a blimp. He handled it flawlessly. I was flying VFR using real world sectionals and TAC charts from Phoenix to Las Vegas in a "piddly" Piper Cherokee. KS treated me just like any other pilot in his busy airspace, and the show outside the window was amazing. I saw more planes outside my window in the air and on the ground, then I ever have before, and everything went without incident- smooth as butter. My hats off to the ZLA staff. Edited December 6, 2005 at 09:23 PM by Guest Respectfully, Chad Black Click here to see my 12 years worth of Flight Sim Screenshots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Elchitz 810151 Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:16 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:16 PM Keith Rocks. He's also pretty funny. Ian Elchitz Just a guy without any fancy titles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Graham 923971 Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:19 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:19 PM I love flying with KS! View My Logbook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Carlson Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:24 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:24 PM No doubt, Keith is one of the best ... it amazes me how he keeps his cool when the newbies throw a few wrenches into the works. I wish I had that kind of patience. Developer: vPilot, VRC, vSTARS, vERAM, VAT-Spy Senior Controller, Boston Virtual ARTCC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Gercke 845743 Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:59 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 08:59 PM I like the spirit of the post, and I understand the public support... But give the pilot feedback link over at the website a shot. He'll appreciate the kind words. The GX VATSIM Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Black Posted December 6, 2005 at 09:21 PM Author Posted December 6, 2005 at 09:21 PM I like the spirit of the post, and I understand the public support... But give the pilot feedback link over at the website a shot. He'll appreciate the kind words. It was the first thing I did... then after that I came over here to post about it. Respectfully, Chad Black Click here to see my 12 years worth of Flight Sim Screenshots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Heaney 879309 Posted December 6, 2005 at 10:15 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 10:15 PM Chad, sounds like you've never participated in a TGIF. Nice Job Keith, nice to hear some positive words about a controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Musselman Posted December 6, 2005 at 11:31 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 11:31 PM Chad, sounds like you've never participated in a TGIF. Nice Job Keith, nice to hear some positive words about a controller. That's what I was going to say... and yeah Keith, always fun flying under your scope bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffery Williams 849847 Posted December 6, 2005 at 11:42 PM Posted December 6, 2005 at 11:42 PM Keith Smith at ZLA is SUPERMAN Does this mean he controls wearing underwear and a cape? But seriously, I have flown through ZLA in the past with Keith controlling and he does a fine job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted December 7, 2005 at 12:20 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 12:20 AM (edited) If Keith President, the world would be a better place! Edited December 7, 2005 at 02:01 AM by Guest Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Evans Posted December 7, 2005 at 01:53 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 01:53 AM (edited) (Edited to reflect edited post above) Edited December 7, 2005 at 03:37 AM by Guest Mike Evans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ingo Harders Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:31 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:31 AM I guess we have to call him "Mr. Center" from now on . He does a great job and to be honest, so do the rest of the controllers in that area. Keep it up and I will keep flying Mike, not sure what you see wrong with Lance's post. Perhaps you need a pinch of humor, or keep your animosities out of threads like this. It sort of takes away from the spirit of the thread. Regards N405HT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffery Williams 849847 Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:38 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:38 AM I guess we have to call him "Mr. Center" from now on . He does a great job and to be honest, so do the rest of the controllers in that area. Keep it up and I will keep flying Mike, not sure what you see wrong with Lance's post. Perhaps you need a pinch of humor, or keep your animosities out of threads like this. It sort of takes away from the spirit of the thread. The post was edited from its original content..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Bartolotta 912967 Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:45 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:45 AM Mike, not sure what you see wrong with Lance's post. Perhaps you need a pinch of humor, or keep your animosities out of threads like this. It sort of takes away from the spirit of the thread. I believe the original post had to do with the replacement of the current ZLA Chief... Nick Bartolotta - ZSE Instructor, pilot at large "Just fly it on down to within a inch of the runway and let it drop in from there." - Capt. Don Lanham, ATA Airlines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:59 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:59 AM Original post was meant to be funny, but didn't come across as I wanted it to and was interpreted by Mike in a negative manner so it was edited by me. Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Sykes 852946 Posted December 7, 2005 at 03:39 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 03:39 AM That's Lance for you! Never met a positive, feel-good, non-controversial thread he couldn't somehow turn into a mudslinging flamefest. In fact, that's EXACTLY why nobody else, including Keith (who has in fact been offered a few promotions in his day), *wants* my job -- you become the point man for dealing with that kind of garbage, and it takes too much time away from actually controlling. While I think Keith would do a hell of a job of leading ZLA, I can't argue with his desire to spend the majority of his VATSIM time on the scope rather than doing administrative work -- and looking at all the positive feedback he gets on a daily basis (far, far more than the rest of our controllers combined), I'd say the pilots prefer to see him logged on as well, as opposed to doing other things. Bottom line: Keith is awesome -- his dedication to providing the best possible controlling service, as well as to helping both controllers and pilots, is virtually unrivaled. He deserves every bit of praise that he gets and more, and I'm glad to see him getting it. Marc Sykes Toronto ACC Trainee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Flodin 878523 Posted December 7, 2005 at 03:57 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 03:57 AM It's the accent...He has an unfair advantage Grrrr. All jokes aside, Keith is great guy to work with..... DPE / CFI / CFII / MEI (Gold Seal) CP-ASEL, AMEL, IA, GLIDER, E170/175/190/195, CE-500 VATSIM Supervisor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Mifsud 928114 Posted December 7, 2005 at 04:01 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 04:01 AM Wow Keith your a popular guy! Great job dude! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Black Posted December 7, 2005 at 05:07 AM Author Posted December 7, 2005 at 05:07 AM Chad, sounds like you've never participated in a TGIF. Nice Job Keith, nice to hear some positive words about a controller. I've been in more TGIF's than I can count (I'm the Co-Founder of VCAIR, and have been flying in them since their inception ) They too, bring in tons of traffic, but last night was a real treat...even better than the TGIF's I've flown in. I had planes and blimps all around me! Guess you just had to be there. 'Twas lots 'o' fun! Respectfully, Chad Black Click here to see my 12 years worth of Flight Sim Screenshots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Flodin 878523 Posted December 7, 2005 at 06:50 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 06:50 AM Ahh the infamous ZLA blimp DPE / CFI / CFII / MEI (Gold Seal) CP-ASEL, AMEL, IA, GLIDER, E170/175/190/195, CE-500 VATSIM Supervisor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Wollenberg 810243 Posted December 7, 2005 at 07:09 AM Posted December 7, 2005 at 07:09 AM The official ZLA Party Blimp. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. I'm going to have to call shenanigans as well for the unfair accent advantage. Nah, Keith is a great guy. Needless to say, he's a pleasure to work with on the scopes as well. I'll work any sector any day the week next to Keith. Makes controlling a real joy! Original post was meant to be funny, but didn't come across as I wanted it to... Saying Marc needs to be replaced was meant to be funny? How could anyone possibly think that's funny? I tried so hard to get the humor but...I'm just not getting it. Bryan Wollenberg ZLA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Williams Posted December 7, 2005 at 12:56 PM Posted December 7, 2005 at 12:56 PM Saying Marc needs to be replacedg Now people are putting words in my mouth. I never once said Marc needs to be replaced. Start whinning all you want again, put words in my mouth folks. I don't care. No comment to Marcs comments above. You can keep ranting like the whinner you are too. Thank you, Lance W. Hundreds of Real-World Airlines and Routes for you to fly at www.ndbair.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Harris 877712 Posted December 7, 2005 at 01:05 PM Posted December 7, 2005 at 01:05 PM ..... I'm going to have to call shenanigans as well for the unfair accent advantage..... 'I swear to God I'm going to pistol whip the next guy who says, " Shenanigans." ' Anywho....my favorite part about flying with Keith controlling is how he can control, reprimand, and teach all at the same time.... ME: Center, XXXX with you 3400 climbing to 7000 Keith: Please check the DP you need to make a left turn to hdg XXX, c/m 12000 and hope you miss that mountain* And the best part is that with his accent you have no idea if he's being nice to you or extremely sarcastic *NOTE: not an actual quote, but you get the point Jason Harris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Sykes 852946 Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:57 PM Posted December 7, 2005 at 02:57 PM No comment to Marcs comments above. You can keep ranting like the whinner you are too. There's no "h" in "winner," Lance, but thanks for the compliment. Marc Sykes Toronto ACC Trainee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre Koch 852831 Posted December 7, 2005 at 03:15 PM Posted December 7, 2005 at 03:15 PM ME: Center, XXXX with you 3400 climbing to 7000 Tsk tsk tsk... you wanna lose the "to", can make for some nice misunderstandings... What? Me a smart[Mod - Happy Thoughts]? Naaaaaw.... Anyway, since I never had the pleasure of flying under Keith´s control, you guys have made me curious now. Guess I need to plan a flight into ZLA airspace rather soon, huh? Oh, and I need to know: What kind of accent does Keith have? A british one? In that case I may feel just like at home (Europe) even though I´m flying on the other side of the globe, hehe. Cheers, Andre Koch Director VACC-SAG [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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