Narrative:

After diverting due to destination weather; the flight was running low on fuel. When we checked in with center (approach controller); we asked that we be kept close on a close pattern/vector due to fuel concerns. The controller acknowledged our request and asked us to call the airport if we were able to accept a visual; otherwise expect a vector for the ILS runway 22. It quickly became apparent that we would not pick up the field; so we asked for and received a vector that put us on left traffic for runway 22. I once again stated to the controller that we were getting low on fuel and to please vector us tight on the FAF. She once again acknowledged my request. After flying about 5 miles beyond what my first officer and I felt was an adequate point for a turn in towards the FAF for the ILS 22; the controller keyed up and told us to climb from 7700 to 8000 as she would have to vector us further out so the tower could get a departure out ahead of us. I told her we would be unable to extend our downwind and that we needed to be number one for the field; once again stating this was due to fuel concerns. This communication was answered with a 'ok... You want to be number 1; stand by.' at this point we were approximately 12 miles east of the airport. After another 30 seconds of silence; I instructed my first officer (flying pilot) to make a left turn towards the FAF. I keyed the mike and told the controller that we were declaring a fuel emergency and turning towards the field. This was answered with a 'say again.' I repeated my transmission and after about 10 seconds; the controller came back with a clearance direct to the airport. We advised her we were direct to the FAF and would let her know if we were able to accept a visual clearance. We were able to visually find the airport and we were cleared for a visual approach. An uneventful landing was made. The flight was dispatched without an alternate airport per current forecasts that indicated the destination airport was to be 5000 overcast with greater than 6 miles of visibility. The flight had adequate fuel on board to safely divert. The emergency occurred when the center controller failed to adhere to her own acknowledgments that we were getting low on fuel and would keep us close to the airport. She also failed to understand our communications on more than one occasion and time was wasted repeating ourselves.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier on vectors for final advised ATC that fuel was becoming an issue and requested appropriate handling; with the flight crew becoming concerned with ATC handling; an emergency was declared.

Narrative: After diverting due to destination weather; the flight was running low on fuel. When we checked in with Center (Approach Controller); we asked that we be kept close on a close pattern/vector due to fuel concerns. The controller acknowledged our request and asked us to call the airport if we were able to accept a visual; otherwise expect a vector for the ILS Runway 22. It quickly became apparent that we would not pick up the field; so we asked for and received a vector that put us on left traffic for Runway 22. I once again stated to the controller that we were getting low on fuel and to please vector us tight on the FAF. She once again acknowledged my request. After flying about 5 miles beyond what my First Officer and I felt was an adequate point for a turn in towards the FAF for the ILS 22; the controller keyed up and told us to climb from 7700 to 8000 as she would have to vector us further out so the Tower could get a departure out ahead of us. I told her we would be unable to extend our downwind and that we needed to be number one for the field; once again stating this was due to fuel concerns. This communication was answered with a 'Ok... you want to be number 1; stand by.' At this point we were approximately 12 miles east of the airport. After another 30 seconds of silence; I instructed my First Officer (Flying Pilot) to make a left turn towards the FAF. I keyed the mike and told the controller that we were declaring a fuel emergency and turning towards the field. This was answered with a 'say again.' I repeated my transmission and after about 10 seconds; the controller came back with a clearance direct to the airport. We advised her we were direct to the FAF and would let her know if we were able to accept a visual clearance. We were able to visually find the airport and we were cleared for a visual approach. An uneventful landing was made. The flight was dispatched without an alternate airport per current forecasts that indicated the destination airport was to be 5000 overcast with greater than 6 miles of visibility. The flight had adequate fuel on board to safely divert. The emergency occurred when the center controller failed to adhere to her own acknowledgments that we were getting low on fuel and would keep us close to the airport. She also failed to understand our communications on more than one occasion and time was wasted repeating ourselves.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.