On the Air

was a passenger listening to ATC on the A-319s audio system. We had just landed at a very busy Newark Liberty International Airport. I heard this exchange between Tower and a regional jet:Tower: RJ One One Zero, line up and wait.RJ: (Groaning) Unable. We just had a passenger stand up and go to the lavatory. What do you want us to do?Tower: There are seven aircraft behind you. Try to hurry them up.(30 seconds later)RJ:…

Many years ago as a newly minted instrument pilot, I was flying an old Cessna 172. When I checked in with approach, after the usual exchange, the controller asked me if this was a training flight.

While transitioning Salt Lake airportss Bravo airspace, we overheard an exchange between the controller and a pilot unfamiliar with the area. The pilot was having trouble understanding a routing change. Finally the controller said, That is Baldy intersection, Bravo Alpha Lima Delta Yankee. It is named after my supervisor.