N6724G,

I think you probably get the idea that abberviated readbacks and requests are essential in busy airspace. Sometimes it is safer to readback less than is legally required, even though the rules were made for safety. Ironic, eh? The bottom line is, following rules no matter what shows a lack of perspective and in the world of civil aviation, safety of flight is the number one priority. There are legal provisions that allow you to deviate from any FAR to ensure safety.

But, I don't think you were originally picking a bone with pilots talking to O'hare ground control. Don't let the responses on this thread fool you, nobody says "one point three" because its quicker. A lot of the slang you hear is said because they people saying it don't want to be perceived as anal buy their peers, or because they think it sounds cooler than "one thousand three hundred" or "thirteen hundrend."

All you pilots out there who slammed N6724G know that In uncongested airspace there are plenty of pilots you have no regard for professionalism on the radio. In fact, your argument that a newbie like him wouldn't understand the workings of busy terminal areas because of his lack of experience actually makes your responses a bit irrelevant. If he's never been in this kind of airspace, then he obviously isn't talking about the abbreviation on those freqs, but rather the slang used on less congested freqs. I guess just the usual forum mob mentallity. For some reason airline pilots, especially regional guys seem to get a real kick out of flaming GA folks.

CALcapt, usually you're pretty wise and conservative about outright bashing people. I'm guessing all the newhires and their, newguy/probation/by the book arrogance may be getting to you.