WIX Archives
Re: Crossed my mind too but, ......
Posted by Steve Young on Wed Nov 07, 2001 02:03:41 PM
In reply top Re: Crossed my mind too but, ...... posted by Tony on Wed Nov 07, 2001 11:38:18 AM
Well as we're onto the humour, and again with apologies to our German friends, there was a story doing the rounds some years ago about the British Airways senior captain who landed one of the first BA 747's at Frankfurt in the early seventies.
During his landing roll, he was told by ATC to clear the runway and proceed to his designated gate at his discretion.
He completed his roll, turned off the runway, and stopped on a taxiway while he consulted his newly-acquired Frankfurt airport chart.
According to legend, the conversation went something like this:
Frankfurt ATC: Speedbird 123, why have you stopped?
BA 747: (Sound of rustling charts in the background) Ah... stand by, Frankfurt.
Frankfurt ATC: Speedbird 123, proceed to gate 20 as advised.
BA 747: (Frantically trying to work out where they are, and where gate 20 is) Ah, hold on Frankfurt, can you just give us a minute?
Frankfurt ATC: Speedbird 123, no. You are to proceed to gate 20 immediately, as you were advised.
BA 747: (Sheepishly) Unable to do that at this time Frankfurt. Stand by.
Frankfurt ATC: Speedbird 123. What is your problem?
BA 747: (Getting agitated) Frankfurt, we are getting ourselves orientated, and finding our route to gate 20.
Frankfurt ATC: Have you never been to Frankfurt before, Speedbird 123?
BA 747: (Senior captain finally losing patience) Yes Frankfurt, only once, in 1944. But I didn't land...