I was en route to a New England airport famous for its fog. The ATIS reported below minimums but gradual ix, improving. Approach said to expect the ILS, and I could hear one aircraft ahead, a local airliner. Approach cleared me for the approach and sent the other aircraft to tower.
Me:
"Did the aircraft ahead get in?"
Approach:
"Well, he didn’t fly the missed. Contact tower."
Me:
"Tower, at what altitude did the previous plane break out?"
[pause]
Tower:
"I didn’t ask."
Me (after landing a little proudly):
"Tower, be advised that we broke out just above minimums."
Tower:
"Everybody does."
John Ward
via e-mail