Short Final

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • During a flight, a pilot requested a lower altitude, which Air Traffic Control (ATC) denied.
  • The radio operator humorously attributed the denial to "The Man keeping us up."
  • This quip was met with crew silence initially, followed by off-mic giggles.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Back in the late ’90s, as a radio operator on MC-130E Combat Talons, I was returning to EGI from the East Coast.

As I neared home, the pilot asked:
“R. O., see if we can get lower.”

I asked ATC for lower, as directed by the pilot. The kind folks at ATC denied our request.

The pilot was not happy, but, as we maintained altitude, I heard one crewmember ask why they denied us.

To which I replied:
“Just another case of The Man keeping us up.”

I got silence from the crew, but giggles could be heard off mic.


Steve

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE