Friday, March 25, 2011

Have you ever wondered......?



If you're like me, you've taken your share of "red eye" flights in the wee hours of the night. And if you're as curious as me, you've tried to imagine what it is like for the pilots and ground personnel who are working diligently through those lonely hours while we relax comfortably in the darkened cabin. What must the conversations be like between the flight crew and ground control?

Well, wonder no more. Here, for your edification, is what that conversation might have sounded like during recent night flights into the Washington, D.C. area:

United flight 112: "United 112 to Reagan tower, requesting runway assignment and clearance, over."

Reagan tower: "...zzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzz....zzzzzzzz"

American flight 407: "Reagan tower, this is American 407 following United 112,. Request runway assignment and clearance, over."

Reagan tower: " .....zzzzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

American 407: "United 112, did you raise Reagan tower? I might have radio problem."

United 112: "Negative American 407, no response. I'll try again. Reagan tower, United 112, please come in."

Reagan tower: "....zzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzz.....zzzzzzzzzzz"

United 112: "Still no response American 407. Guess we're on our own. Would you like to go first?"

American 407: "Nah, that's OK United, you've come halfway across the country. I just came down from Boston. Do you see any open runways?"

United 112: "Number 26 looks kinda clear. I'll give it a shot and let you know."

Reagan tower"......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......zzzzzzzzzzzzz"

Fascinating stuff, huh?   Fly safe.

2 comments:

Bernice said...

Very very funny, and disturbing to one who flies frequently. Your creative writing teacher gives you an A+. It's very hard to write dialogue but you nailed it.

Big Al said...

Thanks. I take that as a real compliment from an English major.