I just remembered an incident where over TOL's airspace I was transversing VFR, but there was an IFR cessna that was having an apparent Transponder issue. Was supposed to be at 5000, but was registering 5500. Toledo was getting frustrated, and kept repeating back the Baro @ 30.40, etc.. Finally come to find out the dumb:D:D:D was setting his altimeter to the pressure altitude displayed on his magic transponder. Nice work! I wish I could remember the details of the converstation, but it was basically the Skyhawk guy was 100% confident he was right.

Why does everyone do this?!?!??!?! Get off the active!!

Which brings up another pet peeve, a controller that talks so much that you can't even check in (trying not to step on someone, especially him) which is OK except that eventually you get the " XXX ! ARE YOU ON THE FREQUENCY?" Sorry for the OT but we get so few actual controllers on here it's hard to resist ;)

In general, I share your contempt for controllers (or anyonehttp://www.airlinepilotforums.com/im...ons/icon10.gif) who talks too much. However, controllers sometimes do it on purpose in order to control the frequency when they have to get things done, and they don't want to be interrupted by an initial call.

First off let me preface by saying I think the guys and gals in MIA cntr are great people with a remarkable sense of humor, that said Im gonna bust your chops a little TIC, I love it when weve switched freqs, and sit with our finger perched over the button for 5 minutes waiting for the controller to take a breath, and then you ask if we're on freq we say yup, and you ask why havnt you checked in(why ask), and somdays I just want to reply, cause you havnt shut up for 5 minutes to let me in...lol:D, that being said I loved talking to you guys in MIA and keep up the good work....

Is there an echo in here.....?

In honor of St. Patty's Day:


One day (over 20 years ago) this guy was working clearance delivery in the tower, and one of the new-hires came over to observe him. The new guy said "when Aer Lingus (the Irish airline) calls for a clearance, tell him "pogue mahone," which means "have a nice flight" in Gaelic." So sure enough Aer Lingus calls for a clearance, and the clearance guy says "Shamrock*** cleared to Shannon via***, squawk ****, and "pogue mahone"." Then the Aer Lingus pilot reads back his clearance and says "say again the last part." The clearance guy said "pogue mahone." The pilot: "what did you say?!" The clearance guy: "pogue mahone." Several minutes go by and Aer Lingus starts to taxi out of the ramp. Then the phone rings in the tower and the supervisor answers it. It was Aer Lingus operations, and they wanted to know "why was clearance delivery telling our pilot to "kiss my a$$?!!!""

A few years back I had a traffic watch gig out of SLC. One morning right after the daylight savings switch I was having a hard time staying alert. I arrived at the airport and went through my normal pre-flight check list thinking to myself that this was going to be a long morning. I received my clearance and taxi instructions and taxied to the run-up area. After the run-up I called the tower and half awake I told them I was cleared for take-off. Just as I finished speaking I realized my error I called them back and told them I was ready for take-off. The tower cleared me and off I went. Just as I was making my turn towards the south the tower calls me with a telephone number to right down. I wrote it down and asked them what this was for as my heart was starting to beat really fast. The tower responded that it was the number to the nearest Starbucks and they should be able to help me stay awake for the next few days! I didn’t have any more problems staying alert after that! :)

hahah thats funny man!

I heard this over ground one day.

Aircraft: Ground, NXXXXX taxi takeoff.

Tower: NXXXXX where are you?

Aircraft: parking!