Short Final

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A humorous radio exchange occurred between an American Airlines pilot and Miami Center.
The pilot requested a higher flight level, and the controller initially noted not hearing a check-in.
The conversation evolved into playful banter, with the pilot joking about forgetting to check in and the controller quipping about memory and age.
The pilot humorously clarified if the controller's "twenty-six or -seven" comment referred to altitude, to which the controller confirmed she meant age.

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While cruising at flight level, we heard the following between an American Airlines airliner and Miami Center:

Airliner:
“Center, American XXXX looking for higher.”

Miami Center (female voice):
“Didn’t hear you check in.”

Airliner:
“First time I’ve heard your voice. I must’ve forgotten.”

Miami Center
“That happens when you’re over twenty-six or -seven.”

Airliner:
“I hope you’re talking thousands of feet.”

Center:
“No. Age.

“Sorry.”

Jarred Whitfield
Des Moines, Iowa