Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 22000; Flight Crew Type 6000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Troubleshooting; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
ATC Issue All Types
Human Factors; Procedure
I am a Captain for a major carrier; and have flown in and out of DCA with that carrier for many years; much of the time being based there.  I currently fly all over the US.DCA Tower is unique in the US. They are consistent in that they are always 'Climbing in my cockpit' trying to fly my aircraft. Landing there yesterday; I was told 'Expect minimum time on the runway'; immediately after I landed; the controller was telling the aircraft taking the runway to 'power up'.  They tell aircraft to taxi faster to clear exits for landing aircraft.I understand DCA is a busy airport; I was based there for years. The military low level helicopter traffic that routinely is in the DCA traffic area complicates matters. But this is probably the most dangerous airport in the United States; strictly based on the the fact the controllers are pushing; pushing; pushing; in an attempt to handle the traffic they have.
Pilot reports of DCA controllers 'climbing into my cockpit' and how they are telling the pilots various things that he feels they shouldn't be doing.