B737-800
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 26
Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
The Denver 8 controller handed me two aircraft at the same altitude. I noticed that there was a 60 knot overtake and approximately 10 miles in trail of each other. I asked the trailing Aircraft (Aircraft Y) what his speed was. He replied; 'Mach .77' I asked the lead Aircraft (Aircraft X) what his Mach number was. He replied; 'Mach .69.' I asked him if he slowed down on his own; to which he replied; 'We slowed down for the chop; but we told the previous controller.'The Denver 'Controller' never forwarded me the information that the lead aircraft had slowed down. I had to assign speeds to both aircraft. In addition I had to turn Aircraft X out of the way of Aircraft Y to ensure separation. These two aircraft seemed to be the only two Aircraft in Denver Sector 8 airspace at the time.I have no recommendations! I have filled out numerous reports with many suggestions! I have become so frustrated; especially when I bring it up to the Front Line Manager in charge of the area at the time and they snicker at the situation and walk away. My advice that I keep getting from my Area Manager is to keep filling out reports. This has been going on for 25+ years. Unfortunately; I'm afraid it will take loss of innocent lives before something is done about this reckless behavior that has become the standard culture at Denver Center! Sadly; most controllers at ZMP do not fill out reports because they are frustrated with the lack of attention these incidences receive! So; most of the conflictions go unreported on a daily basis! Is it possible that the Denver controller is intentionally sabotaging controllers at ZMP? Last week I filled out a report in which the Denver controller assigned a faster speed to the in trail aircraft and slowed the front aircraft!
ZMP Controller reported a handoff issue with ZDV Controller resulting in a conflict.