Ping via FTP?

I need to check that some external FTP servers are running. (FWIW, various EDI
FTP servers over an ANX connection). However, the routers and firewalls block
ping requests.

>From the command line, I can do an FTP 'w.x.y.z' and look at the resulting
screen, it usually says "Welcome ..." or "Connection failed." That's all I
would need to see, then F3 to exit the session.

If I get a Connection failed, then I could send emails to our shippers and IT
folks up the line.

Is there an easy way to capture/parse the connection messages? I want to
schedule this type of job to run every 10-15 minutes.

pgm
ftp 'blah'
/* look through the ftp logs */
/* if the first output is Connection to host failed... */
snddst...
endpgm

Thanks,
Loyd
-- 
"Why, you can even hear yourself think." --Hobbes
"This is making me nervous. Let's go in." --Calvin
loyd@blackrobes.net  ICQ#504581  http://www.blackrobes.net/