Short Final

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The event occurred on April 22, the first day of sequester-induced air traffic controller cutbacks.
An air traffic controller at Fort Worth Center cleared a King Air aircraft to a waypoint named "FINGR."
The controller made a humorous remark about being told not to give shortcuts, but having no choice but to "give you the finger" (referring to the waypoint).

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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