Short Final…

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • United flight 123 was unable to comply with Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions to taxi into position and hold because a passenger was in the lavatory.
  • ATC then queried United flight 124 about its lavatory status, indicating the passenger's need was a valid reason for the delay.
  • Finding no passenger in the lavatory on United 124, ATC prioritized and cleared United 124 for takeoff ahead of United 123.
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More from our When you gotta go, you gotta go file…

While waiting on the ground for a half hour for bad weather to clear, I overheard the following:

Tower: “United 123 taxi into position and hold.”

United 123: “We are unable to. We have a passenger in the lavatory.”

Tower: “United 124, do you have a passenger in the lav?”

United 124: “No sir.”

Tower: “United 124, you’re up!”

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