B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 12000; Flight Crew Type 4000
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
I began flying international airline flights 23 years ago. During all that time; in flights to and from more than 40 countries; I have not seen ATC as poor as it has become in Colombia. This report marks the third consecutive trip to and from BOG/SKBO that I have filed a report. On this leg; specifically: (1) Ground Control cleared us to exit the ramp on B; to taxi via A; and hold short of C. As we approached C and slowed to let an A320 out; Ground twice asked us to hold short of 'Bravo' which was behind us. This is not the first time I had seen a Ground Controller use the wrong word for a taxiway letter; in this case 'Bravo' for 'Charlie' (2) Ground later cleared us past another hold short at Y on S; and to taxi to Runway 13R via S and M. While on M; 3 minutes after cleared to taxi past Y; First Officer asked to verify which Tower frequency; and Ground Controller told us to 'hold short of Y;' which was a mile behind us. (3) On climb out; head-on converging traffic was descending toward our altitude and rapidly closing. Our altitudes met at FL200 in IMC; with the traffic just 20 miles in front of us. ATC was unable to answer our request to call out the traffic in detail (type; distance; altitude descending to; etc.) (4) At FL380 near BAQ we encountered light to moderate chop and asked Center for ride reports at FL360; and asked again; 'Say ride conditions Flight Level 360.' Center then attempted to clear us to FL360; which we told him we did NOT want without a ride report. We again asked for ride reports and ride conditions and were met with silence. (5) We had already checked in early with Kingston 10 minutes prior to FIR boundary; on 125.4. Nearer the boundary; BAQ Center told us to contact Kingston on 128.1. We asked to verify. She said 128.1 again. We asked once more; and she said; 'I say again 125.4' just seconds after telling us 128.1 TWICE; she said 'I say again 125.4;' [in my honest opinion] Colombia ATC has deteriorated to the point that it is unsafe. Their lack of English skills combined with the increased traffic levels has led to a completely unacceptable situation.
B757 Captain operating in the Colombia ATC system noted the ATC English skill levels couple with increased traffic volume has made the Colombian ATC system unacceptable.