Short Final

Monday, May 13, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The article recounts a humorous incident on the first day of sequester-induced air traffic controller cutbacks.
A Fort Worth Center controller, after clearing a King Air to the "FINGR" waypoint, quipped that despite orders against shortcuts, they had no choice but to "give you the finger," amusing an observing pilot.

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I was flying just northeast of Dallas on Monday, April 22. This was the first day of sequester-induced cutbacks of controllers.

Fort Worth Center:
“King Air 12345, cleared direct FINGR for the FINGR3 arrival.”

King Air 12345:
“Cleared direct FINGR.”

Fort Worth Center:
“They told us not to give any shortcuts today, but I don’t see any way to do it except to give you the finger.”

I was laughing too hard to hear the King Air’s reply.

Steve Beckerdite
via e-mail