ATIS or not ? who cares !

[Brogs]

The Lighter Side of Flight back to top


SHORT FINAL


En route over central Florida, we heard the following exchange between Jacksonville Center or Approach (can't remember which) and a Cessna approaching its destination:

Jax Center:
"1234AB, do you have information 'Hotel'?"

1234AB:
"Uh, nah, sir, we don't need it. Thanks, but we're stayin' with some friends down in New Smyrna."

Jax Center:
"1234AB, negative. Advise if you have ATIS information 'Hotel,' please."

1234AB (after a pause) :
"Uh, Jax Center, like I say, we don't need any hotel information. We've already got a place to stay down in New Smyrna."

Jax Center:
"4AB, I'm not giving you hotel information. I need you to advise that you have ATIS information 'Hotel' at [landing airport]."

[Several moments of silence.]

Jax Center:
"Cessna 1234AB, Jacksonville Center."

1234AB:
"4AB. Go ahead."

Jax Center:
"Did you copy the request for ATIS information 'Hotel'?"

1234AB:
"No, sir, I did not -- 'cause I don't need it. Like I already told you, we got a place to stay already down in New Smyrna!"

Jax Center:
"1234AB, go to 123.45, listen to the recording you will hear, and return to this frequency to advise you've heard what is on that frequency."

1234AB:
"4AB: 123.45 -- roger. So long, sir."

A frequeny change of our own prevented us from learning if 4AB ever did receive Hotel, but we trust their stay in New Smyrna was a pleasant one.