Short Final

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot, United 202, requested direct to Winslow, Arizona, but was mistakenly cleared direct to St. Louis by Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Upon hearing this unexpected clearance, another pilot, United 18, humorously requested to be cleared "direct anywhere."
The ATC controller played along with the joke, advising United 18 to "expect further clearance in 40 miles to direct Ah Anywhere."

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Over Southern California, United 202 requested direct to Winslow, Arizona from Southern California. Instead, Center gave him this:

Center:
“United 202, I’ve cleared direct St. Louis.”

United 202:
“Direct St. Louis. Thanks.”

United 18 (foreseeing good fortune):
“Center, United 18. Request direct – uh – er – anywhere.”

Center:
“United 18, expect further clearance in 40 miles to direct Ah Anywhere.”

Harry W. Lerch
via e-mail