A local controller reports that flight crews regularly utilize the incorrect frequency to contact th...

Narrative:

Today yet another flight checked in on the wrong tower frequency.in the early 1990's we routinely used 2 local control frequencies. When we combined the two local control positions we continued to use two frequencies. The airlines and pilot unions stated that it was an unsafe operation to have two aircraft on the same runway on two different frequencies. Our procedures were changed for safety reasons to require the local controller to use frequency a single frequency when positions were combined and that we broadcast that combined tower frequencies were in use on the ATIS. We rarely use two local control frequencies [usually only time 2 are used is for training]. The procedure and broadcast have been in place for years.these are not isolated incidents. We have aircraft that have been told by the radar controller to contact the tower on one frequency check in on the old frequency. When we asked the pilots why; we have been told they program it in in advance. This is a complacency issue on the part of the pilots. It is also; in the case of an arrival; a direct disregard for ATC instruction.I can cite many more occurrences. These may seem small issues but they cause delays; missed gaps; and frequency overlap. It is also a safety issue. The pilots check in with the ATIS. They should listen and abide by it.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Local Controller reports that flight crews regularly utilize the incorrect frequency to contact the Tower despite frequency publication on the ATIS.

Narrative: Today yet another flight checked in on the wrong Tower frequency.In the early 1990's we routinely used 2 Local Control frequencies. When we combined the two Local Control positions we continued to use two frequencies. The airlines and pilot unions stated that it was an unsafe operation to have two aircraft on the same runway on two different frequencies. Our procedures were changed for safety reasons to require the Local Controller to use frequency a single frequency when positions were combined and that we broadcast that combined Tower frequencies were in use on the ATIS. We rarely use two Local Control frequencies [usually only time 2 are used is for training]. The procedure and broadcast have been in place for years.These are not isolated incidents. We have aircraft that have been told by the Radar Controller to contact the Tower on one frequency check in on the old frequency. When we asked the pilots why; we have been told they program it in in advance. This is a complacency issue on the part of the pilots. It is also; in the case of an arrival; a direct disregard for ATC instruction.I can cite many more occurrences. These may seem small issues but they cause delays; missed gaps; and frequency overlap. It is also a safety issue. The pilots check in with the ATIS. They should listen and abide by it.

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.

Attributes
ACN	911503
Time
Date	201009
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	RDU.Tower
State Reference	NC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Air/Ground Communication
Person 1
Function	Approach Departure
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A local controller reports that flight crews regularly utilize the incorrect frequency to contact the tower despite frequency publication on the ATIS.