Short Final

Editorial Staff

Sunday, March 04, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A bizjet pilot missed an approach and requested vectors for a retry.
The air traffic controller apologized, citing distraction from an unceasing coordination call with Center.
A humorous exchange followed, with the pilot comparing the controller's predicament to his wife's long phone calls.
The controller ended the conversation with a witty retort, implying the pilot's wife works at Atlanta Center.

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Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section

Overheard while flying between Athens, Ga. and Charleston, S.C.:

Bizjet 123: Approach we just flew through the localizer. Can you vector us around for another attempt – early turn in?

Augusta Approach: Sorry about that. I was on the land line coordinating with Center and the guy just kept talking and talking and talking. I couldnt get him off the phone.

Bizjet 123: Yeah, I understand. Sometimes I cant get my wife off the phone, either.

Approach: Well, she must be working at Atlanta Center then.