philip donlay

Years ago, in my life as professional pilot, we were always plugged in and listening to Air Traffic Control.  Most of it was the usual chatter between pilots and controllers, requests, clearances being issued, boring but essential stuff.  But every now and then there would be a real jewel.

The following was an actual exchange between a frustrated TWA Captain and a calm cool female controller.  She had her hands full with a sky saturated with planes and thunderstorms--and this guy.  The TWA crew wasn't happy with their sequence, or some such detail, and it was more than obvious when the annoyed Captain finally came on the frequency.

"Center, this is TWA," the Captain blustered.  "Are you a trainee?"

"No, why?" She responded sweetly.  "Are you?"

I  promise there was laughter in every cockpit except one.  The controller had dismantled the bully with four words.  It was a work of art.  Words can change everything.

On that topic, an old friend of mine, Mark Whyte, along with his wife Katie, have written a children's book--a really good children's book about young people with disabilities.  If you, or anyone you know has a family touched by disability, please check out this book.  Mark and Katie's words are powerful. 



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8UXB2S