B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 12000; Flight Crew Type 1102.92
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Workload; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure; Chart Or Publication
The requirement to have ATC announce the 8;000 foot change at ARCHI (MENLO has the same issues) and the subsequent verbal response and verification by the pilots has created undue and unnecessary verbiage during a critical phase of flight. The NOTAM has been in effect through a number of [publisher] revision cycles and still has not been incorporated. As a previous ATC specialist I recognized the burden it is placing on the NORCAL controllers as well as the pilots. It has obviously been through the proper Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) process and through NOTAM it is implied that it's official and a safe procedure. Please let me know why we have not gotten past the 'temporary' permanent calls of the 800[0] foot exception? I have heard the frequency become saturated with read backs when the controllers are trying to conduct handoffs and pass clearances and traffic callouts; all priority calls in a charted visual environment where visual separation requirements are placed upon the pilots. Simply put the unnecessary call outs should be eliminated. The procedure is either good or bad but in either case we are making it worse with all the radio chatter. Let's get it published and quit delaying the procedure. Thanks
B737 pilot reported communication problems associated with the 8;000 foot change at intersection ARCHI.