Narrative:

Flights in the northeast were dealing with significant weather and rough flight conditions. On this day; we heard the controller repeatedly trying to pressure pilots to fly their aircraft faster than could safely be flown in the rough flight conditions. The controller was applying pressure to get pilots to fly faster by threatening them that if they did not pick up their speed he would 'have to spin them.' I did not receive that threat on that day myself; but I have received the same threat on previous flights in this airspace; so attempting to pressure pilots seems to be an ongoing problem in this controller facility. The controller did not have an appreciation for the fact that flight at high airspeeds in rough conditions can result in an unsafe flight situation. There needs to be training among controllers to educate them that if the pilot says he cannot maintain an airspeed due to rough flight conditions; the correct response from the controller is 'what can you do' and not attempt to pressure the pilot to fly faster by threatening they will be assigned a hold in those rough flight conditions if they do not pick up their speed. In my previous situation I was going to declare an inflight emergency rather than accept a hold in those rough conditions; but it appeared that a supervisor was in the background of the controller who was threatening me with 'being spun' and the controller allowed me to fly the speed I deemed safe. This 'threatening' style of pressuring pilots to fly faster than they deem safe seems to be an ongoing problem with ny center. This style of controlling needs to be addressed before this causes an incident by some pilot succumbing to the pressure and actually allowing the controller to 'fly their aircraft' at a speed faster than is deemed safe by the pilot. I have experienced similar pressure by controllers in both ny and bos approach facilities to get pilots to fly faster on final approach when conditions do not allow (i.e. Tailwind on final). Controllers seem to lack awareness on the effects of speed both in cruise in on approach when weather conditions are less than ideal.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air carrier Captain reported that a ZNY ARTCC person was attempting to coerce pilots with delay threats to fly faster. The pilots were resisting because of rough air and considered the Controller's request unsafe.

Narrative: Flights in the Northeast were dealing with significant weather and rough flight conditions. On this day; we heard the Controller repeatedly trying to pressure pilots to fly their aircraft faster than could safely be flown in the rough flight conditions. The Controller was applying pressure to get pilots to fly faster by threatening them that if they did not pick up their speed he would 'have to spin them.' I did not receive that threat on that day myself; but I have received the same threat on previous flights in this airspace; so attempting to pressure pilots seems to be an ongoing problem in this controller facility. The Controller did not have an appreciation for the fact that flight at high airspeeds in rough conditions can result in an unsafe flight situation. There needs to be training among controllers to educate them that if the pilot says he cannot maintain an airspeed due to rough flight conditions; the correct response from the controller is 'what can you do' and not attempt to pressure the pilot to fly faster by threatening they will be assigned a hold in those rough flight conditions if they do not pick up their speed. In my previous situation I was going to declare an inflight emergency rather than accept a hold in those rough conditions; but it appeared that a Supervisor was in the background of the Controller who was threatening me with 'being spun' and the Controller allowed me to fly the speed I deemed safe. This 'threatening' style of pressuring pilots to fly faster than they deem safe seems to be an ongoing problem with NY Center. This style of controlling needs to be addressed before this causes an incident by some pilot succumbing to the pressure and actually allowing the Controller to 'fly their aircraft' at a speed faster than is deemed safe by the pilot. I have experienced similar pressure by controllers in both NY and BOS approach facilities to get pilots to fly faster on final approach when conditions do not allow (i.e. tailwind on final). Controllers seem to lack awareness on the effects of speed both in cruise in on approach when weather conditions are less than ideal.

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.