There’s a time and place for everything, especially on frequency.
VASAviation recently captured an exchange on New York Center frequency between the enroute air traffic controller and one of the pilots on board a Breeze Airways flight (callsign Moxy 516). Prior to this, the controller was doing her job asking pilots about turbulence at certain cruising altitudes (flight levels to be more specific), and handing aircraft off to surrounding sectors.
Controllers generally tend to be serious and monotone when transmitting, but this controller was pretty cherry and friendly. This was very apparent based on how happy the pilots responded to the controller’s request.
However, one Breeze pilot took this as an invitation to make the conversation a bit more personal.
After being handed off to Cleveland Center, the Breeze pilot re-contacted New York on their second radio, taking the opportunity to shoot his shot.
Moxy 516 pilot: “New York, Moxy 516.”
New York Center Controller: “Yeah?”
Moxy 516 pilot: “Hey there! I pulled you up on my number two radio and I was like… hey, is it inappropriate to ask for a New York Center Controller’s number?”
New York Center Controller: “Wait, say it one more time?”
Moxy 516 pilot: “Moxy 516, you wanna send me a text sometime?”
New York Center Controller: “Sir, I’m married.”
Moxy 516 pilot: “No, sincere, I’m not interested like that, but figured you had a personality, it’s kind of rare.”
New York Center Controller: “Oh! Well, thank you, ha ha.”
After being turned down, other pilots didn’t let the rejection slide, saying, “Cheerio”, “Woooow”, “Toodies” and “What just happened tonight??” One pilot even said, “on behalf of all pilots, I’d like to apologize.”
Asking someone for their number is one thing, and I’m not against someone taking a chance, but maybe the pilot could have been a bit more discreet, asking for the center’s main phone number and asking that question offline?
Even if he went ahead, he could have saved face by cutting the conversation short once she mentioned she was married. The lighthearted banter quickly went downhill when he tried to justify the question even when she mentioned she was taken.
It sounds like this pilot misinterpreted this controller’s pleasant voice as an opening for something more that general friendliness. I’m sure he’ll save himself the embarrassment in the future and not try it again.
Featured image: Tomás Del Coro/Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic
