Short Final: 'Out-Of-Control' Traffic

Short Final: ‘Out-Of-Control’ Traffic

Wednesday, October 02, 2024 at 05:22 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An Air Canada pilot reacted with an expletive ("Aw crap!") after acknowledging an ATC runway assignment.
The pilot clarified that the outburst was due to seeing heavy highway traffic near their driveway, anticipating a difficult commute home.
Air Traffic Control concluded the exchange with a humorous suggestion that the pilot needed a "longer driveway."

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From an IFR Magazine reader who prefers to remain anonymous:

Overheard on an ATC Center frequency near Toronto, close to rush hour for highway traffic:

ATC: “Air Canada XYZ, expect Runway 23.”

Air Canada XYZ: “Roger, Runway 23 (without a pause) Aw crap!”

ATC: “Air Canada XYZ, is there a problem?”

Air Canada XYZ: “Sorry about that, no … uh yes, I just saw the traffic getting to my driveway and it’s a killer!”

ATC: (wryly) “Roger. Sounds like you need a longer driveway.”