On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 14:12:06 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote:


"Ash Wyllie" wrote in message
...

What is needed is something like a readback that means "do I have the new
clearance correct" followed by "give me a chance to see if I can accept
it".
It seems that currently that a readback means you have accepted the new
clearance. Which is a problem.


Pilots should understand that the alternatives to accepting the new
clearance are probably a very lengthy reroute, diversion to another airport,
or IFR cancellation.



Which is, of course, the point. There ARE alternatives, even after
reading back the clearance. They might not be anybody's first choice,
but they are there,

Not that any controller I ever worked with had any problem with that.
In my experience, a polite but firm refusal, with an explanation of
why the clearance was unacceptable, always resulted in a compromise
that worked reasonably well for both of us.

Of course, every system has its gamers...