Short Final: Engineering To Bridge

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • During a flight, a period of silence on Minneapolis Center prompted an unknown aircraft to check in with air traffic control.
  • The controller responded humorously with a Star Trek-themed quote, confirming their presence and remarking on the continued existence of "carbon-based units" (people).
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I was flying from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Fargo, North Dakota, one evening recently. As we approached the Dakotas, it got rather quiet on Minneapolis Center.

Predictably, after about 10 minutes of silence, somebody checked to make sure things were all well.

Unknown aircraft: “Minneapolis Center. Still there?”

Without a pause the controller responded: “Engineering to Bridge. Aye, Captain. Tricorder readings indicate carbon‑based units still infest the planet.”

Frank Bowlin

Aptos, California

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