On Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10:51:55 AM UTC-7, Bob Pasker wrote:
So, I was getting my first tow at a very busy and very well-respected gliderport, and I saw an area where I wanted to go, so I shift a plane's width opposite the turn direction and stayed there. The tow pilot kept going straight ahead. OK, maybe he didn't see me, or maybe like a fishing guide he is taking me to a secret spot with 10kts of lift.

Next day, different tow pilot, similar turn request, no response. When I asked the second tow pilot back on the ground, he says he didn't notice it.. They never pay attention to the position of the gliders because the glider pilots don't know how to stay on tow, and deviations are just an example of their poor flying habits.

--bob

I admit that the general consensus to this posting disturbs me a little. I have moved left or right to signal a desire to change the direction of the tow (when, for some reason a radio cannot be used) , but I do not consider this to be "steering" the tow plane. I am signaling the tow pilot of my wish to change the direction, but i do not consider this to be "steering" the tow plane. I feel it is entirely the tow pilot's responsibility and decision as to where to fly. If the tow pilot accepts my signaling, fine; if not, fine too. If the tow pilot does not accept my signal I have no way to know if the tow pilot even noticed my signal. That's fine too.