I've noticed that when I request a step climb — asking ATC for a higher altitude while cruising — instead of replying with "denied" or "approved", they just respond with a generic "good day", "good afternoon", or "good night", etc.

 

Below an example from my last flight:
 

TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  Contact Brasilia Center on 123.850  
~ Center on 123.850 TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  
TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  good evening .  
TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  request climb to FL 410  
TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  good evening    <== ATC not replying correctly.

 

Any tips?

 

On 7/27/2025 at 9:37 PM, eafb said:

I've noticed that when I request a step climb — asking ATC for a higher altitude while cruising — instead of replying with "denied" or "approved", they just respond with a generic "good day", "good afternoon", or "good night", etc.

 

Below an example from my last flight:
 

TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  Contact Brasilia Center on 123.850  
~ Center on 123.850 TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  
TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  good evening .  
TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  request climb to FL 410  
TAM Eight One Two HEAVY  good evening    <== ATC not replying correctly.

 

Any tips?

 

Workaround I’ve been using:
Whenever I need to request a climb but ATC isn't responding properly, I reverse the request and ask for a descent instead. Oddly enough, that seems to trigger a correct reply — and from there, I can clarify or correct the request as needed.

After a transfer to a new Controller, make a call like "<CallSign> at flight level 320".

Then, wait for the "good afternoon" type response, and then request the climb.  Or request a new altitude like "<CallSign> request new altitude of Flight level 340".

Dave