Short Final
Overheard in IFR Magazine‘s “On the Air” Some years ago at Des Moines, Iowa, I was holding in the run-up area when I heard the tower call an airliner: Tower:“Airliner 1234, cleared for takeoff. Runway 30 right.” Airliner:“Tower, we’re still waiting for our numbers.” Tower:“Roger, Airliner 1234. Cancel departure clearance; hold short of the runway.” Airliner:“Airliner 1234, holding short.”/p> Several seconds later, the pilot’s voice came over the frequency, sounding both apologetic and put out: Airliner Captain:“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re experiencing an air traffic control delay, but we should be on our way shortly, as soon as the tower releases us.” [pause] Tower:“Nice speech, Captain, but ATC is not delaying you. Suggest you misinform the passengers on the PA, not my frequency.” Ralph LundMal Paso Creek, California

Some years ago at Des Moines, Iowa, I was holding in the run-up area when I heard the tower call an airliner:
Tower:
"Airliner 1234, cleared for takeoff. Runway 30 right."
Airliner:
"Tower, we're still waiting for our numbers."
Tower:
"Roger, Airliner 1234. Cancel departure clearance; hold short of the runway."
Airliner:
"Airliner 1234, holding short."/p>
Several seconds later, the pilot's voice came over the frequency, sounding both apologetic and put out:
Airliner Captain:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're experiencing an air traffic control delay, but we should be on our way shortly, as soon as the tower releases us."
[pause]
Tower:
"Nice speech, Captain, but ATC is not delaying you. Suggest you misinform the passengers on the PA, not my frequency."
Ralph Lund
Mal Paso Creek, California
