Approaching Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Airport, the traffic advisories from Approach were scant until after a bit, Approach said, “Archer 44939, traffic at your 11 o’clock, slow‑moving, type and altitude unknown. I’m not talking to him.”
Me: “939 looking.”
Approach: “You spot him yet?”
Me: “Negative.”
Approach: “Might be a train on the mountain.”
Sure enough, there it was. I decided to have some fun and deadpanned, “Traffic in sight.”
Not missing a beat, he replied, “Traffic no factor. Tower now, good day.”
Aviation is serious business, but best not taken too seriously!
Fred Simonds
Juno Beach, FL
Why don’t they require ADS-B on that train so the controller can discern it from low flying airplanes ??