Hello,
Just to start on a positive note, referring to both Josh (Octal) and Lydiot. I don't want to make it personal, and it shouldn't go that way. I think LH-1701 summed it up the best!! from both points of view. It's all in the past, and I will hop by to visit EDDF again to hope to have a positive experience (this time with a working mic jack)
Now let's get to the professional matters, it's more interesting
- SID/STAR - I noticed that there is no use of SID at all, I was a bit surprised getting a clearance "EGKK at FL320 ok" and before take off "climb to: cruise". I wonder what pilots think here. because it's more interesting to depart with SID and initial climb and all the other restrictions in the chart since it makes the departure more interesting and realistic. Departing direct to cruise with one turn towards destination is quite boring.
If you think (jomo) that there are many pilots without much clue, maybe just to ask before clearance if they know to use SID, and if not, just clear them direct.
-Switch between positions - It does seem a bit funny to do, because of how the mumble is built. I agree with jomo that this would work only if there will be other ATC. If I would see that the event in Basel works fine, I can try to do that if there would be any ATC who would want to join. Sorry jomo, 4h, 4 times a week, requires a salary
- assigning gate and taxi - of course there should be taxi instructions for arriving planes, I did notice though that in many airports in openradar the parkings and gates are not marked or marked wrong. First I think that a pilot that arrives must have a chart to know the spots (also for taxiing, etc.), isn't that the situation jomo? Second, it's true that it requires the atc to remember also gate sizes etc. (and that could be difficult if there is traffic), but also I notice that the scenery is not so accurate anyway, so a mistake here is not a big deal. Maybe to assign a random gate just to add some realism? (don't think company area is so important though, nothing would happen if you park an emirates plane in the lufthansa terminal
)
anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Have a nice day!