Go for the Green

One of the most valuable lessons I ever learned was to "go for the green". That meant, if you needed to climb, or descend an aircraft, or just get him out of the way of another aircraft, then aim him where there aren't any. Sounds simple, but when the "green" is behind the guy you're turning, it takes a while to accept that's the best place to take him.

So I'm working the Pandora sector one day and PK is working the Toledo sector, which is north, northeast of me. We've got really bad weather all over the place and everyone is deviating. I've got aircraft at pretty much all altitudes, and I'm busting my ass trying to get the Detroit arrivals down.

The Rosewood sector, owned by Indianapolis Center, and due south of me, starts flashing this guy at fourteen thousand. Well, I've got an aircraft at fourteen thousand, and he's deviating on a course that is going to put him, and the Indy fourteen at the same place in space in about twelve minutes.

I call Rosewood, but they don't answer. I DO NOT TAKE THE HANDOFF. See, there's rules, and one of them is that Indy can't run that aircraft into my airspace if I haven't taken the handoff.

Meanwhile I've got so many aircraft deviating into the southern part of the Toledo sector PK is "quick looking" me. (Computer command that brings all my traffic up on his scope)

I call Rosewood again. Still no answer. Not surprising when there's weather. We do priortize, and the safety of the aircraft comes before anything else. Even answering your lines.

I spend a few seconds watching PK turn a Willow Run departure due north to climb, then try Rosewood again. Still no answer, and now I'm growing concerned that they're going to go ahead and run that guy into my airspace, handoff or no.

Just then, one of the worst controllers in the Area sits down on my D-side. Without a briefing, he looks at the scope and takes the handoff on the guy at fourteen.

I go balistic "I didn't take that handoff for a fucking reason! Now see if you can get Rosewood on the line and have them take that guy to thirteen."

KB gives me a blank stare.

"He's going to hit this guy." I point to the traffic.

KB starts hollering for Rosewood. They, of course, don't answer.

I've got to do something, and I've got to do it right now. I can't climb or descend my guy cause I've got traffic at those altitudes. I'm pretty sure he's not going to want to turn because of the weather, but I don't have any other choice. I've got to "go for the green" which is a one hundred degree turn to the right for him.

"November five-three-two, fly heading zero-two-zero, traffic nine o'clock, one-five miles, deviating at one-four thousand."

If there's a thunderstorm cell in the direction I'm aiming him, he won't make the turn. Seconds tick by as the two aircraft come closer.

"Best I can do Center is a three-zero-zero heading right now."

Not great, but it'll change the point of confliction and give me another minute or two.

"November five-three-two roger, when able fly heading zero-two-zero."

"Roger."

The guy from Indy enters my airspace. The gap between the two aircraft narrows.

"November one-four-four are you able to fly a two-eight-zero heading?"

"Negative."

Shit. Plan B.

"November one-four-four can you maintain your present heading?"

"For another forty miles or so Center."

"Roger, November one-four-four, fly your present heading, advise when you need to turn."

"Present heading and we'll advise."

"Iron Air twenty twenty-one can you fly your present heading?"

"Affirmative Center."

"Iron Air twenty twenty-one fly your present heading, traffic."

"November one-four-four, descend and maintain one-three thousand."

"Descending to one-three thousand."

Now all I have to pray for is that neither he nor the Iron Air have to turn until they're safely past each other.

But that's just how it goes.