Used to be that I could count on a big fly-in at the NFL's big game every February.  They used to draw much traffic!  I haven't seen one in the last couple years though.  ARTCC's are missing out.

Upcoming bowls that could be super...
2022 ZLA (Inglewood)
2023 ZAB (Phoenix)
2024 ... TBD...
2025 KHU (New Orleans)

ARTCCs without at least one controller signing up: ZAN, ZNY, ZAB, ZHU, ZKC

Naturally.  Because we do all their sequencing for them.   

Or, you know, just don't pause in your transmission. Know what you are going to say, then key up the mic.

Bingo.  And that comes with repetition in my opinion.  If we get the controllers saying the same exact thing over and over, the phraseology becomes rote and the numbers, the variables, the arguments to the statement are where the brain power can be spent.

Somehow this shows up on the calendar as "KPHX - KEND".  I was surprised to see Vance AFB involved!

This thread, threads like it, and many discussions I've heard on VATUSA facility teamspeaks disappoint me.  Controllers are openly critical of pilots, and sometimes outright hostile.  The way I read it and hear it, it goes beyond good-natured kidding.  And it's not coming just from the rank and file, but from people who are in official and unofficial positions of leadership.

For those who remember me from ca. 2005-2007, I used to be among the critical crowd.  Occasionally I slip up today and let my emotions get the better of me.  So I'm not without fault.

If I'm having a bad day, I will do my best to bite my tongue and try again tomorrow.  If I ever get to the point where I hate my pilots, I think it's time I take a long break.  I'll come back when controlling is fun again.   

The VATUSA family atmosphere needs to include pilots.

Members should, at all times, be courteous and respectful to one another.

Since this is a learning environment, there are times when a pilot may encounter a new air traffic controller who is in the process of learning his airspace and/or general air traffic control procedures. The same may be true of the controller who may find himself issuing ATC to a pilot flying online for the first time. Everyone should remember to exercise patience and courtesy to these new pilots and controllers.

Different winds & temps aloft.  Simulator stutters and hiccups.  XPlane running at a reduced rate without the pilots realizing it.  There are a number of reasons why strategic metering doesn't work very effectively.

If we were to give metering a real try, I think VATUSA has to own it and do it week in & week out.  We have no fancy software and the number of variables we deal with exceed those in the real world.  Its going to take trial and error to build some proficiency.  It's also going to require some people sitting out of the fun of actual controlling.

Having each ARTCC attempt to do it 3-4 times a year isn't going to cut it, in my opinion.  I doubt anyone is going to volunteer to be the TMU for every event.