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The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport
are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's
gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from
them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the
following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways
747, call sign "Speedbird 206":
Speedbird 206:
"Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway."
Ground: "Speedbird 206.
Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."
The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and
slowed to a stop.
Ground: "Speedbird, do
you not know where you are going?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand
by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."
Ground (with arrogant impatience):
"Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"
Speedbird 206 (coolly):
"Yes, twice in 1944 but it was dark and I didn't stop."
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