In article , David Rind wrote:

I can recall someone on this group once suggesting that if
you're past the localizer and concerned that you may be getting
close to terrain, and the frequency is too busy to get a word
in, that hitting IDENT is likely to cause ATC to notice.

Well, if I'm past the localizer and concerned I may be getting close
to terrain, then I *will* be turning back to intercept, and the guy
sitting in the dark can straighten out any kinks in the traffic flow.
I'm assuming your definition of "concerned" means "I know there's
a mountain in front of me that's higher than I am."

Luckily, we have no actual terrain in Minnesota, though we do
have some radio towers that are pretty impressive near the ILS
14 into St. Paul. Even so, they're well below where you ought
to be. Out here I've tooled along for what seems like a long time
till the controller remembered us, but I've never gotten testy
enough to remind them of my existance. If I did it for a living
(or we were in bumpier country) I might feel differently....

Hope everyone--pilots, controllers, and others on the group--all
have a nice Christmas.

Mike Beede