Communication Breakdown; Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Letter of Agreement between NCT [NorCal Tracon] and FAT [Tracon] requires aircraft going from NCT to VIS airport be at 5;000 FT. Aircraft X was given pilot's discretion maintain 5;000 FT while the aircraft was at 7;000 FT. The aircraft did not descend for over 30 miles. Clarify that a 'pilot's discretion descent' does not meet the requirements of the LOA and requires coordination. Alternately; include PD descent as an option in the LOA to avoid the receiving Controller from expecting the aircraft to descend.
FAT Tracon Controller does not believe that NCT is meeting the requirements of a LOA for pilots inbound to VIS to be at 5;000 FT by issuing a clearance of 'pilot discretion to 5;000 FT' before turning them over to FAT.