A ZLC controller reported the lack of priority given to medevac aircraft within the ZLC/S56 airspace...

Narrative:

This was only the latest example of S56/ZLC not giving priority handling to a medevac aircraft. I was told by my supervisor the aircraft must go over ffu (30 miles south of slc) and make the subsequent 90 degree turn to the north for 'sequencing.' I called S56 jordan sector as he approached asking for more direct routing to the airport. I was again told no; he must go over ffu for sequencing. Other aircraft were a factor but I would have been happy to sequence them behind the medevac aircraft but; as usual; S56 and our tmu and management have a different take on what priority handling means. This happens all the time! Medevac aircraft familiar with the practice are often forced to cancel IFR in questionable conditions to get their patients to the slc airport faster. I recommend we follow the regulations and give medevacs priority handling all the time; not just when convenient.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A ZLC Controller reported the lack of priority given to Medevac aircraft within the ZLC/S56 airspace system; giving examples of the non-adherence to existing regulations.

Narrative: This was only the latest example of S56/ZLC not giving priority handling to a Medevac aircraft. I was told by my Supervisor the aircraft must go over FFU (30 miles south of SLC) and make the subsequent 90 degree turn to the north for 'sequencing.' I called S56 Jordan Sector as he approached asking for more direct routing to the airport. I was again told no; he must go over FFU for sequencing. Other aircraft were a factor but I would have been happy to sequence them behind the Medevac aircraft but; as usual; S56 and our TMU and Management have a different take on what priority handling means. This happens all the time! Medevac aircraft familiar with the practice are often forced to cancel IFR in questionable conditions to get their patients to the SLC airport faster. I recommend we follow the regulations and give Medevacs priority handling all the time; not just when convenient.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1060215
Time
Date	201301
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZLC.ARTCC
State Reference	UT
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Super King Air 200
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A ZLC controller reported the lack of priority given to medevac aircraft within the ZLC/S56 airspace system; giving examples of the non-adherence to existing regulations.