Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure; Company Policy
Air Carrier X; was on the Fincher1 arrival on a left downwind for Runway 36L. I had assigned Air Carrier X 2;000 FT and the assigned speed at that point on the arrival is 210 KTS. I also had Air Carrier Y; an inbound on the Tammi4 arrival. Air Carrier Y was on a left base for Runway 36R to stagger behind Air Carrier X. I noticed that Air Carrier X was slowing and asked if they were still doing 210 KTS; and they responded that they weren't. I asked why and they responded that they needed to land the aircraft. I mentioned that the assigned speed was 210 KTS and that they slowed without telling me; and that I now needed them to maintain 190 KTS until further advised. I then slowed Air Carrier Y to 210 KTS to keep my stagger. I turned Air Carrier X's base and then turned them to join the localizer and cleared them for the approach; assigning 190 KTS until further advised. Air Carrier X said they needed slower so I assigned them 170 KTS and told them that all they had to do was let me know. Air Carrier X did not like my attitude and asked for the phone number. I have become quite tired of Air Carrier X company pilots pulling this; so when I gave him the number; I told him it was for a possible pilot deviation. I turned Air Carrier Y to join the Runway 36R localizer and cleared them for the approach keeping my stagger with Air Carrier X. This is not the first time that an Air Carrier X company pilot has done this; but it is the first time that I have wanted them to call the facility. I am not proud of the attitude that I displayed; but I am just tired of dealing with this. All I ask is that the Air Carrier X pilots either fly the arrivals as published or they advise that they need to deviate from published procedures; especially in the final box. Air Carrier X pilots seem quite content to let their FMS fly the plane and not inform anyone of what they might be doing. This becomes critical when I am trying to set up a sequence and basing that sequence on arrival assigned speeds that these pilots then bust.
TRACON Controller experienced a conflict event when traffic assigned a STAR reduced speed below published requirements; the reporter noting this the subject company frequently reduces without notifying ATC.