What he's basically authorizing is operating in the traffic pattern at
will without landing clearances. I suspect that he's engrossed with
his PlayStation that they have in the tower and doesn't want to be
bothered with a sole aircraft doing pattern work.

With GA traffic down so far in many parts of the country, there are a
LOT of controllers with nothing much to do. When flying mid-week
through Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, airspace, we are often the
only (or, at most, one of two or three) aircraft they may be working.

Those guys would have to have the internet, or an X-Box, or SOMETHING
to keep their sanity, under those circumstances. Does it really make
sense for them to make the last guy left in their airspace report his
base leg every time he goes 'round the circuit?

it's really sad. I'm afraid we're witnessing the death throes of GA in
many parts of America, ladies and gents.
--
Jay Honeck
Owner/Innkeeper/Webmaster
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"