Newps wrote:

There's no reason for a class D tower controller to ever use the phrase
"maintain visual separation" to two VFR aircraft. There was no separation
standard in the first place, thus nothing to transfer to the pilot.

I was wondering that too. More, in all my experiences with class D airports
(I'm based at CDW, but I've been to TEB several times, HPN once, SWF a lot,
....) I don't think I've ever heard that expression used.

BTW, my experience at TEB is limited (perhaps a dozen visits there), but my
club moved out of there just about when I joined. A lot of people have
complained about the difference in "control quality" between TEB and CDW.
In my limited experience, I have to agree: TEB always seemed much more
tightly managed than CDW.

I'd guess that one difference is the training volume. TEB has (or had, at
any rate) a fair bit of GA training, but nobody did pattern work there.
They all left for places like CDW, MGJ, for that.

- Andrew