Autodocking and fines

[seko]

There should be a rule, those leaving a space dock should have priority over those entering (except for NPC's who do whatever they like)

I have to chime in on this one.

For the first couple of years I played I always retracted my landing gear after I lifted off from the space station pad when exiting the station. At the time, in my mind I thought retracting the landing gear made my ship "shorter" and thus gave me more clearance moving through the slot.

I always got a Proximity warning but I thought that was the way it worked. After I got a Beluga many moons ago, I found out if you don't retract your landing gear I would not get the Proximity warning. The Beluga's rear fins retract a little when gear is down.

Then I found out via experimentation any ship that has its landing gear Retracted gets that Proximity warning and sometimes an Impact warning. But when the gear is down, no Proximity warning. I don't understand. But I learned.

So yes, I pass through the slot with my Beluga gear down, all the time with no impact or Proximity warning. (but not always, I'm not perfect and I scrape sometimes or get a momentary bump with minor shield damage)

This whole thing just sound counter-intuitive to me. But then, I'm just a lonely worker bee in the real world and Elite world.

GL HF

PS: but I have to say the DC gets away with both speeding and passing thru the slot with gear UP and no Prox warning. idu

Like it, think I'll try that

 

[tolm]

Biggest thing I’ve flown so far is the T7. Well, Tallest, I should say ... Python is arguably “bigger” but that’s another topic!

Anyway, was a bit concerned on the first exit but all was well. Biggest issue I have is when exiting - and always “following the greens” I frequently get an NPC in a big ol’ T9 come barging straight through the middle of the slot ... and then I get fined?! Pain in the derrière ... especially if it’s a station you don’t frequent much as you have to redock to pay the fine! Which reminds me, I still owe Wolf 1373 200CR ... at least it won’t turn into a Bounty anymore ...

 

[777Driver]

Like it, think I'll try that

It's just that the prox warning is inhibited when the gear is down. It is to stop nuisance warnings when landing.

 

[Krash]

Biggest thing I’ve flown so far is the T7. Well, Tallest, I should say ... Python is arguably “bigger” but that’s another topic!

Anyway, was a bit concerned on the first exit but all was well. Biggest issue I have is when exiting - and always “following the greens” I frequently get an NPC in a big ol’ T9 come barging straight through the middle of the slot ... and then I get fined?! Pain in the derrière ... especially if it’s a station you don’t frequent much as you have to redock to pay the fine! Which reminds me, I still owe Wolf 1373 200CR ... at least it won’t turn into a Bounty anymore ...

My first big ship was the T7 and it was a lot of fun and nerve wracking at the same time.

 

[the source 0179]

There is actually plenty of room in the slot, and more than enough time to reverse if the timer starts. It's just that many Cmdrs fly dead centre because they think they don't have enough room.

http://i65.tinypic.com/fd7od4.png

Not just cmdrs. Constantly I've seen npcs fly in the centre, the wrong side, go from one side to the other,speed, try to squeeze next to or on top or infront of you. One time I've seen them go through sideways in the wrong direction.

 

[relayer]

I can swoop my Cutter in and out and nary a problem [except for &$&!!@ Space Whales trying to jam the slot, arrrr].

I'm a wiz with the Python. I have nary a trouble with my Type-7.

But FRISSOM-RASSUM-JOOBGLAS, my Anaconda, who I slavishly flew for a year while making my fortune, still gives me trouble. Not docking, or I'd use a docking computer. No... it's on exit. Get sucked down going too slow, and get jammed with some twerp-ship slipping under me, even though it is my queue when going about 115 and get a fine -_- even though I have learned how much I can hug the side of the slot...

 

[CMDR Karrde Sun]

Ive found auto docking pretty good at avoiding other ships. If the other commander isn't going fast you might be okay. At least not dead.

Shieldless gets a bit complicated but you kinda know what you're up for with that. Fines? I think you'll probably get one, but autodocking is always in the speed limit? So its hard unless you override it.

I use manual until right above the pad anyway, because fun, and touching down is the annoying part.

 

[Belan]

A tool that sensible truckers have installed on massive freighters (especially at busy CG ports) And before you say it, yes I can dock my ship, doesn't mean I want to on every trade run.

More like a tool that no serious trader uses that causes you to lose too much time inbetween trade runs, thus affecting your profit margin significantly.

 

[Lucifera Danzig]

If your using the Docking Computer aka: Auto Dock or DC. There is no fine!

IF you get stuck for any reason release auto dock, if your landing gear is down, stow it immediately.
In the time allotted attempt to get your self free.
If your unable to get free you will have two option.
The first easiest and fastest is to do what is generally referred to as "Combat Log". It is not considered combat logging by FDev. If choosen, you'll respawn outside of the no fire zone, which you just try to land again.
The second is to continue to the end of the timer get blown up, submit a ticket and wait two or three days to be recompensated.
Based on the grounds that the DC was suppose to disengage from the landing process and return you to the cue and wait until the portal is clear for another attempt. Which it apparently didn't do, thus you can be recompensated.

If you by passed the DC by boosting which is a way of sneaking in without getting scanned. Well, you bypassed the DC and not eligiable for compensation.

I'm not sure if they (FDev) has fixed the issue, but auto docking and the large ships have or did have an issue where as the DC would cause the Conda, Cutter or the Vette to get stuck in the toast rack. I got tired in the beginning of requesting compensation and just did the Combat Log, which is consider leagle and recommended becasue of the time and effort when submitting a ticket.

I've since learned how to enter and exit without the assitance of the DC and haven't had an issue since.
IF your not speeding, and meet another ship, simply back out, when clear proceed.
If your rub, scratch, dent, anything while under a 100, there's no fine. Over 100 and not using the DC can get you a speeding ticket if involved in rubbing, scratching, or denting yourself and or others. And or a reckless driving ticket.
Once again, if under the power of the DC, there's no fine, if and when you rub, scratch or even dent yourself or others. Regardless of the speed the ship is doing, which generally is under 100, but not always. It's a fricken computer, don't trust it 100 percent.

I'm pretty certain this isn't what's meant by "combat log," because you're hardly in combat, you're only running afoul of a glitch involving an automated docking system and being subject to consequences that aren't supposed to apply. Which is a very different thing from a combat log, where a CMDR logs to avoid losing a combat situation. Different enough that Frontier support recognizes it as such and reimburses you for autodock mishaps but not for combat misadventures.

I disagree strongly with actual combat logging, but I think it's not really bad to log to avoid being punished for the autodock's mistakes.