Short Final: Couch Surfing

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Air traffic controllers in the NYC metro area are known for their skill and distinctive humor.
  • An Islip Tower controller delivered a quick-witted, humorous response to a pilot's standard radio query.
  • The humor stemmed from a playful misinterpretation of "Stay with you?" as an invitation for a sleepover rather than staying on the current radio frequency.
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One of the joys of flying in the New York City metro area is listening to the controllers. In addition to being the best in the business, they deliver some good wisecracks, always with that unmistakable accent. We had just landed at Islip (KISP):

Islip Tower: “Comair 234, take a left at the next intersection and taxi to the gate.”

My first officer read back the instructions. Then, just to make sure Tower didn’t want us to switch to the ground frequency, he asked, “Stay with you?”

Tower (without missing a beat): “Sure, but you’ll have to sleep on the couch.”

Rick Sanders

Brooklyn, NY

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