Question regarding slot bookings during events

[Javier Larroulet]

Hi everyone,

In my local ACC we're finishing up our implementation of a slot [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ignment/booking that we intend to use for events in order to better manage our airspace in high saturation events.

 

One of the procedural aspects we need to determine how to handle is what happens when a pilot has a booked slot and a second pilot logs in with the intended callsign before the first pilot, thus preventing him to "use" his slot.

 

The situacion would be like this:

1.- Pilot 1 books a slot in advance for AAL912.

2.- Before Pilot 1 logs in on the day of the event, Pilot 2 logs in as AAL912

3.- Pilot 1 cannot connect as AAL912

 

In these cases, would ATC be allowed to ask Pilot 2 to disconnect and reconnect using a different callsign because another pilot already has a slot booking linked to that callsign?

 

I know this may become an opinionated discussion, but after reviewing the CoC we're not sure. Our intention wouldn't be to prevent anyone from flying, but to instruct our controllers how to manage a situation like this in a standard way during the event.

 

Thanks in advance

[Andreas Fuchs]

You can politely request the non-event pilot to use another callsign, but you cannot force him to do so. If the situation can't be resolved, ask the event-pilot to use a similar callsign, e.g. AAL192B

[Javier Larroulet]

Thanks Andreas,

 

Yes, we were wondering about asking (not forcing/demanding). We know the latter is a big no-no on VATSIM, but weren't sure if asking would somehow be in breach of the rules. The slight variation in the callsign is a good idea.

 

thanks!

[Martijn Rammeloo]

We (Dutch VACC) even have a tool to recognize 'callsign hi-jacking', unintentional or otherwise. But as Andreas says, you cannot do more than ask. In my experience, most pilots will comply though.

 

Martijn