Keith Smith at ZLA is SUPERMAN

[Keith Smith]

Well, this is a nice surprise (most of it, at least). Chad, I really appreciate the sentiment.

 

Two things do spring to mind, though.

 

1) At the risk of pulling the 'aw shucks, fellas' routine, I truly believe that my skills don't really stand apart from the majority of other ZLA center controllers. I just happen to spend more time online than other ppl, and apparently, have an accent (Andre, it's a blend of British and Australian)

 

2) I missed the original comment regarding MS, but as he eluded to, I've elected to not take on any more responsibility (I'm already the Event Coordinator and an Instructor) within the ARTCC. I'm not willing to reduce my scope time, I enjoy it too much. MS has been nothing but supportive of that decision.

 

And for those considering flying in my sky, or ZLA in general, if you're deviating from your clearance, you will hear about it from the controller (as a previous poster pointed out). It's never personal (or at least, it shouldn't be), but we do try to educate pilots while providing the service. I think pilots appreciate it, and I've seen many pilots' flying improve greatly over time. Maybe we helped out with that.

 

Thanks again, Chad, it's great to know the services are appreciated.

[Nicholas Bartolotta 912967]

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.

 

Depends on if your looking at it the "humorous" way like you were or not. You said something along the lines of, "If Keith was Chief, the world would be a better place." So if the Chief were Keith, would that mean the current Chief has been replaced? Yep. That very well may not have been what you meant, but it's what I read.

 

Back on topic though about Keith on the scope, I had the pleasure of flying under his control about six months ago, from SAN-LGB. I remember there was terrible weather in the SoCal area, very low visibility, and he was controlling a number of aircraft on approach to LAX. He brought me in for an ILS 7L approach (LAX & LGB both have a 7L mind you ). I was pretty confused at first, since I had been vectored to the north end of the airport, but nevertheless I began getting myself setup for the ILS.

 

He then informed me I had overshot the localizer, AGAIN, and needed to make a turn heading (I honestly don't remember the heading ) to try at it again. Thats when I realized...I'd been mixed up with all the other arrivals into LAX, and he was setting me up to land at LAX

 

Funny thing was, it was a great approach both times around, to bad I really wasn't flying to LAX!

[Bo Gercke 845743]

There's no "h" in "winner," Lance, but thanks for the compliment.

 

 

oooooh, wooooooah, roflmao!

Priceless.

 

Thanks for the tidbit of comic relief...

 

Anyway, Lance it is coming close to the point where you are going to blow up TGIF, and the thing that you worked so hard on for so long. You see, you are asking the very people who volunteered to take your weekly event when asked, and are now asking us to come to you to request the event in our airspace. I've noticed a trend of you alienating almost every ATM, and facility which has so generously supported and helped you grow both your event and your airline. Publicly ripping a facility in a public forum is just poor, especially when you have mediums like maybe, their forum, or maybe even a private email. But your desire wasn't to help find a solution was it? It was just to come online and publicly rip a facility. I find that interesting because ZLA is manhandling the rest of VATSIM in almost every statistic possible, and is probably the ONE facility that can handle almost any amount of traffic thrown at it with the right preparation. Many facilites, even with weeks of notice can't say the same thing.

 

... I apologize now for taking the attention away from the main topic of this post.

 

Flying in ZLA with Keith is a real pleasure. I think it's his ability to provide service in a professional and accomodating manner. Overall, the training program is a true testament to the quality of control in ZLA's airspace. It's always a good time flying in ZLA. Thanks for all of your hard work.

[Lance Williams]

There's no "h" in "winner," Lance, but thanks for the compliment.

 

 

oooooh, wooooooah, roflmao!

Priceless.

 

Thanks for the tidbit of comic relief...

 

Anyway, Lance it is coming close to the point where you are going to blow up TGIF, and the thing that you worked so hard on for so long. You see, you are asking the very people who volunteered to take your weekly event when asked, and are now asking us to come to you to request the event in our airspace. I've noticed a trend of you alienating almost every ATM, and facility which has so generously supported and helped you grow both your event and your airline. Publicly ripping a facility in a public forum is just poor, especially when you have mediums like maybe, their forum, or maybe even a private email. But your desire wasn't to help find a solution was it? It was just to come online and publicly rip a facility. I find that interesting because ZLA is manhandling the rest of VATSIM in almost every statistic possible, and is probably the ONE facility that can handle almost any amount of traffic thrown at it with the right preparation. Many facilites, even with weeks of notice can't say the same thing.

 

... I apologize now for taking the attention away from the main topic of this post.

 

Flying in ZLA with Keith is a real pleasure. I think it's his ability to provide service in a professional and accomodating manner. Overall, the training program is a true testament to the quality of control in ZLA's airspace. It's always a good time flying in ZLA. Thanks for all of your hard work.

 

I've never done anything but thank EVERY FACILITY that has hosted us Bo, so don't try to start this flame war over again.

 

Lance

[Nicholas Bartolotta 912967]

I've never done anything but thank EVERY FACILITY that has hosted us

 

Yep, us controllers at ZID really appreciated the thank you...

[Joe Mifsud 928114]

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.

 

No, as far as I know I'm the only one who does that, I'm working on getting some heroic music in the background of my transmissions!

[Marvin Smith 945328]

I too greatly enjoy flying under Mr. Smith's scope. Just thought I'd quickly share some funny quotes I overhead tonight while doing preflight.

 

While I don't recall the exact specifics (pilot callsign, destination), the gist of the conversation is very much intact.

 

Citation XXXX: la ctr, citation xxxx, sry if we're driving you nuts up here, we're not drunk or anything, the autopilot isn't working quite right.

 

LA_CTR: citation xxxx, la ctr rgr, well i am drunk so we'll call it even.

 

And then another I overheard.

 

NXXXX: la_ctr, Nxxxx, not sure whats happened but we're dropping rapidly, p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ing through 12,000 right now.

 

LA_CTR: Nxxxx, la ctr rgr, if you can make san diego it should be 11 miles at your 8 oclock.

 

NXXXX: la ctr, negative we're dropping too fast, its as if we just gained a few million pounds, going to be hitting the ground here shortly, we'll go ahead and disconnect.

 

LA_CTR: Nxxxx, la ctr rgr, have a nice day...if thats possible.

[Garry Morris 920567]

 

Love it. Thanks for sharing.

[Terry Kocher 919807]

Keith is definatly a fine controller to say the least , over the summer I'd almost always fly through ZLA's airspace at around 4am in the morning on my Pacific Airways charters...heh, he is a funny guy

[Rey Lopez 883899]

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.

 

 

 

Keith is a great guy and knows his stuff real will......

A BLIMP? lol i wonder where i could download that

[Bo Gercke 845743]

A blimp. good topic. Anything to get you guys off this topic. YOU CAN FIND A BLIMP AT AVSIM.

 

Can we please stop this? I mean, there are SO MANY really good controllers on VATSIM. Controllers who I believe, if they wanted to, could walk into the FAA and work with minimal training. I understand the spirit of the post, but please... If you fly in other airspaces and experience great ATC, tell them that you think they did a great job. That's why we have the pilot surveys. Use them, but for all things holy, quit idolizing Mr. Smith.

[Lance Williams]

That's why we have the pilot surveys. Use them, but for all things holy, quit idolizing Mr. Smith.

 

Jealous? Why not say thanks here? We have enough negative posts don't we? Sure use the survey form to, but why are you in such an uproar about this post Bo?

[Chad Black]

A blimp. good topic. Anything to get you guys off this topic. YOU CAN FIND A BLIMP AT AVSIM.

 

Can we please stop this? I mean, there are SO MANY really good controllers on VATSIM. Controllers who I believe, if they wanted to, could walk into the FAA and work with minimal training. I understand the spirit of the post, but please... If you fly in other airspaces and experience great ATC, tell them that you think they did a great job. That's why we have the pilot surveys. Use them, but for all things holy, quit idolizing Mr. Smith.

 

 

Edited December 16, 2005 at 08:44 PM by Guest

[Ross Carlson]

...for all things holy, quit idolizing Mr. Smith.

 

I have a statue of Mr. Smith on my lawn.

 

Okay, not really ... I couldn't afford the shipping for the statue ... so I just have the action figure.

[Chris Jones 893274]

Can we please stop this? I mean, there are SO MANY really good controllers on VATSIM. Controllers who I believe, if they wanted to, could walk into the FAA and work with minimal training. I understand the spirit of the post, but please... If you fly in other airspaces and experience great ATC, tell them that you think they did a great job. That's why we have the pilot surveys. Use them, but for all things holy, quit idolizing Mr. Smith.

I tend to agree with Bo on this one. Keith is a great controller, one of the best, and is also a great guy. I'm sure he appreciates the recognition, but as Bo said, try the pilot surveys, as I'm not sure a three page forum thread praising Keith, is all that appropriate or even what Keith wants.

[Ross Carlson]

Bo, you're right, there are lots of good controllers. Does that mean that a pilot cannot give kudos to just one or two? Does he have to give kudos to all of them or none at all? Do you feel that the posts praising an ARTCC for excellent service during an event are out of order?

 

There's enough bickering and squabbling on these forums that some positive posts are always welcome in my book.

[Keith Smith]

Ross, that wasn't a statue, I tied one on last night, and woke up on your lawn wearning nothing but my cape and a headset. The statue comparison is not unwarranted, I'm just unusually still in the mornings.

 

I really do appreciate the kind words, but it's my hope that this thread dies quietly now (the ratio of smiling to gnashing of teeth isn't worth it), or moves permanently onto the topic of blimps, which, btw, under the right lighting conditions, I will likely bear a striking resemblance to after the upcoming holiday meal!

[Bo Gercke 845743]

Jealous? Why not say thanks here? We have enough negative posts don't we? Sure use the survey form to, but why are you in such an uproar about this post Bo?

 

Jealous? Not in the least bit. If you notice on page 1, I gave compliments. If you are paying attention, I sing high praises of the work that Marc and his Team have done with ZLA. You are right Lance, we do have a tremendous amount of negative posts on this forum, and that's a shame. My point was more in this:

 

I mean, there are SO MANY really good controllers on VATSIM. Controllers who I believe, if they wanted to, could walk into the FAA and work with minimal training. I understand the spirit of the post, but please... If you fly in other airspaces and experience great ATC, tell them that you think they did a great job.

 

My point was that it's great that we recognize great control, and even telling each other about great control. But to single out a single controller over 3 pages is a little excessive, I believe, and it's my opinion only. I may have been way off base. But Keith knows how I feel about him, we've exchanged several very cordial emails. ZLA is a fantastic place, and they're doing great things. Let's look around at some of the less recognized facilites and recognize them. There is nothing better for a facility's morale, and reputation than positive words, and not by other controllers, but by the pilots.

 

I don't THINK I need to answer this, but I'll entertain it:

Does that mean that a pilot cannot give kudos to just one or two? Does he have to give kudos to all of them or none at all? Do you feel that the posts praising an ARTCC for excellent service during an event are out of order?

 

Ross, you and I have always either seen eye to eye or agreed to disagree, but it's never been ugly. I think you know "me" well enough to know that I'm not saying what you're implying. Yes give kudos, and give praise. Even to one or two. If we're setting a precedent here, that's fantastic. Who's the next person who should be recognized?

Question 2. I feel that praising an entire ARTCC for service during an event is encouraged, even more than recgnizing an individual. Funny thing though, I can't remember recently seeing an Event kudo to an entire ARTCC go 3 pages. I hope that answers your questions.

[Ross Carlson]

My point was that it's great that we recognize great control, and even telling each other about great control. But to single out a single controller over 3 pages is a little excessive, I believe, and it's my opinion only. I may have been way off base. But Keith knows how I feel about him, we've exchanged several very cordial emails. ZLA is a fantastic place, and they're doing great things. Let's look around at some of the less recognized facilites and recognize them. There is nothing better for a facility's morale, and reputation than positive words, and not by other controllers, but by the pilots.

 

Sounds like your opinion would have been better-received if you had said "let's not forget about all the other good controllers on VATSIM" instead of trying to stifle this thread.

 

Question 2. I feel that praising an entire ARTCC for service during an event is encouraged, even more than recgnizing an individual. Funny thing though, I can't remember recently seeing an Event kudo to an entire ARTCC go 3 pages. I hope that answers your questions.

 

So your issue is with the size of the thread ... kinda subjective isn't it? Where do you draw the line between acceptable and excessive praise?

[Ross Carlson]

Ross, that wasn't a statue, I tied one on last night, and woke up on your lawn wearning nothing but my cape and a headset.

 

That would explain the sudden appearance of "For Sale" signs on my neighbor's lawns ...

[Bo Gercke 845743]

So your issue is with the size of the thread ... kinda subjective isn't it? Where do you draw the line between acceptable and excessive praise?

 

Yeah, subjective. Where to draw the line? Dunno. Acceptable, and excessive? It's like kissing a girl a public. When's it excessive? Maybe when the subject of said affection finds it overwhelming, or excessive.....I know I can take only so much affection by the fellas.... Didn't mean to spoil anyone's fun here. I mean if you'd like to continue please do, but you're going to make him blush, and Ross, you'll find him out on your front lawn. Neighbors might start to look at you funny, you know.

[Jeff Turner]

You guys are killing me here..... LETS FLY!

[Ross Carlson]

I just did, Jeff. Flew out of JAX for ATL. Great service all the way ... Bo, you were rockin' on JAX CTR.

[Jeff Turner]

I just did, Jeff. Flew out of JAX for ATL. Great service all the way ... Bo, you were rockin' on JAX CTR.

 

 

GREAT to hear! I'll be in the air tomorrow if I can get a p[Mod - Happy Thoughts] from the wife.

[Nicholas Bartolotta 912967]

You guys are killing me here..... LETS FLY!

 

I wonder if we flew as much as we talked...I'm sure VATUSA would have broken countless records by now!