Worst Controller I Have Ever Experienced!

On Saturday, five of us decided to attend the loPresti First Saturday at
Vero Beach, FL.

When we switched to tower, we could tell that the controller was in over
his head. Lead asked for an overhead break -- DENIED! We had to get into
trail! I was #3; #2 decided (wisely) to go home.

We entered the pattern as directed but could hardly get a word in
edgewise because the controller was hogging the frequency.

He sent Lead around, for no good reason, lost track of me and sent me
around (again with a clear runway).

At LoPrestis, the locals told us that they have three main controllers
the 1: "Captain Go-Around," 2: "Mr Grumpy," and 3: "Mr Good Guy."

There was also a lady working Ground.

Apparently we had "Captain Go-Around" when we arrived.

When we left, I needed fuel and contacted Ground to cross 11R (7350 ft
long!) Apparently "Captain Go-Around" was still operating air, so we
waited, waited some more, etc., as planes landed on the opposite numbers
or were on final. "Captain Go-Around" would not let us cross the far end
of the runway.

I asked if they had a bunch of trainees in the tower and was told no.
When finally cleared to cross, I answered with "Amen."

After I got fuel, the remaining four of us called ground and got a
pleasant male voice (apparently "Mr. Good Guy"), who was pleasant and
professional. We took off in elements of two and departed.

In almost fifty years of flying, I have never encountered such an
incompetent controller as "Captain Go-Around." He was obviously in WAY
over his head and should get some remedial training.

--
Remove _'s from email address to talk to me.

On May 4, 12:08*pm, Orval Fairbairn
wrote:
On Saturday, five of us decided to attend the loPresti First Saturday at
Vero Beach, FL.

When we switched to tower, we could tell that the controller was in over
his head. Lead asked for an overhead break -- DENIED! We had to get into
trail! I was #3; #2 decided (wisely) to go home.

We entered the pattern as directed but could hardly get a word in
edgewise because the controller was hogging the frequency.

He sent Lead around, for no good reason, lost track of me and sent me
around (again with a clear runway).

At LoPrestis, the locals told us that they have three main controllers
the 1: "Captain Go-Around," 2: "Mr Grumpy," and 3: "Mr Good Guy."

There was also a lady working Ground.

Apparently we had "Captain Go-Around" when we arrived.

When we left, I needed fuel and contacted Ground to cross 11R (7350 ft
long!) Apparently "Captain Go-Around" was still operating air, so we
waited, waited some more, etc., as planes landed on the opposite numbers
or were on final. "Captain Go-Around" would not let us cross the far end
of the runway.

I asked if they had a bunch of trainees in the tower and was told no.
When finally cleared to cross, I answered with "Amen."

After I got fuel, the remaining four of us called ground and got a
pleasant male voice (apparently "Mr. Good Guy"), who was pleasant and
professional. We took off in elements of two and departed.

In almost fifty years of flying, I have never encountered such an
incompetent controller as "Captain Go-Around." He was obviously in WAY
over his head and should get some remedial training.

--
Remove _'s *from email address to talk to me.

I am sure it feels good to vent here but..................

Contact the FAA, inform them of this issue. Call the tower and file a
complaint. Get back to us with the grizzly details on how they blew
you off. G

Tailwinds.

Ben.

Sounds like its' time to file a NASA form.

"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in message
news
On Saturday, five of us decided to attend the loPresti First Saturday at
Vero Beach, FL.

When we switched to tower, we could tell that the controller was in over
his head. Lead asked for an overhead break -- DENIED! We had to get into
trail! I was #3; #2 decided (wisely) to go home.

We entered the pattern as directed but could hardly get a word in
edgewise because the controller was hogging the frequency.

He sent Lead around, for no good reason, lost track of me and sent me
around (again with a clear runway).

At LoPrestis, the locals told us that they have three main controllers
the 1: "Captain Go-Around," 2: "Mr Grumpy," and 3: "Mr Good Guy."

There was also a lady working Ground.

Apparently we had "Captain Go-Around" when we arrived.

When we left, I needed fuel and contacted Ground to cross 11R (7350 ft
long!) Apparently "Captain Go-Around" was still operating air, so we
waited, waited some more, etc., as planes landed on the opposite numbers
or were on final. "Captain Go-Around" would not let us cross the far end
of the runway.

I asked if they had a bunch of trainees in the tower and was told no.
When finally cleared to cross, I answered with "Amen."

After I got fuel, the remaining four of us called ground and got a
pleasant male voice (apparently "Mr. Good Guy"), who was pleasant and
professional. We took off in elements of two and departed.

In almost fifty years of flying, I have never encountered such an
incompetent controller as "Captain Go-Around." He was obviously in WAY
over his head and should get some remedial training.

--
Remove _'s from email address to talk to me.