Anyone else see this?

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/a ... tml#204347

This should be interesting. There will surely be more to this story than what is printed. Is Southwest taking over ATC in Florida like they have elsewhere?

Taking over ATC? No comprendo.

They basically own the controllers at Hobby and Vegas. I've been right over the airport and then sent on a 10 mile downwind to let SW on a 10 mile final land in front of me, and I've held in the number one position while they've let 10 or more SW flights takeoff in front of me at Vegas. They definitely get priority over ga traffic, it's well known in the corporate world. Keep in mind, I was flying a corporate jet when this happened. I've heard rumors the tower chief at Vegas is very close with SW.

I thought visual separation was adequate and relieved the controller of separation requirements?

Why would an ATC ask a commercial flight to check on another airplane?

Why would another airplane need to be checked on?

Why would the SW crew agree to check on another airplane?

What does "check on" mean?

Lot's more to this strange story.

1. Don't know but I guess because they were close by
2. Because they had not responded to ATC in something like an hour from what I read
3. Don't know, maybe because they were asked and trying to be neighborly?
4. Fly by and visually inspect the plane for distress

After they were 'checked on' they did contact ATC from what I read

1. Have you ever heard of anyone being asked by ATC to visually check on another plane? Especially one that was "close by"? I'm always told to turn the other way.
2. Would this require a visual inspection by a commercial passenger jet?
3. Really?
4. Don't distressed planes usually just fall from the sky or land somewhere?

1. Don't know but I guess because they were close by
2. Because they had not responded to ATC in something like an hour from what I read
3. Don't know, maybe because they were asked and trying to be neighborly?
4. Fly by and visually inspect the plane for distress

After they were 'checked on' they did contact ATC from what I read

If the pilot is unconcious and the AP is on then the plane will go until fuel is exhausted. That's what happened with Payne Stewart. The military checked on him, though, not a commercial jet.

It must be frustrating to see an occupied plane and know yup, he's buying the farm in a few hours.

I don't disagree, I'm just saying ATC often asks planes to check in on things...Now 737 doing a flyby on a SR22...well I agree it doesn't pass the smell test. But maybe the guy figured I can call the National Guard or have this guy fly by on his way down.

Doesn't make it smart...but the request must have been somewhat convincing if the crew of the 737 agreed to do it.

If the pilot is unconcious and the AP is on then the plane will go until fuel is exhausted. That's what happened with Payne Stewart. The military checked on him, though, not a commercial jet.

It must be frustrating to see an occupied plane and know yup, he's buying the farm in a few hours.

You would know more about that than I do. I haven't been high enough, long enough, to know how quickly a Cirrus would pass through centers in that part of the country.

The only time I ever got close to such an experience was as a pax in a Baron. At about 200 KNT GS we seemed to switch ATC frequencies every thirty minutes or so while flying in basically straight lines between Nashville and Detroit.

You would know more about that than I do. I haven't been high enough, long enough, to know how quickly a Cirrus would pass through centers in that part of the country.

The only time I ever got close to such an experience was as a pax in a Baron. At about 200 KNT GS we seemed to switch ATC frequencies every thirty minutes or so while flying in basically straight lines between Nashville and Detroit.

At 11,000 ft I believe you'd be with Center after the handoff at 10K