Went to see "Catch me if you Can" recently. There was a reference made to Runway 44 at La Guardia. If all runway numbering is per runway direction, then the highest number should be 36 - correct? I am not old enough to know if this was still the case in the 60's when the film was set. (No rude age comments please) Does anyone know if it's a blooper or factual?

A North american compass has 440 degrees.

Who gonna argue?

and even then the runway could be called 00.....

Whilst I have not seen the film, who made the reference? If it was DiCaprio's character, then he was a con artist and probably didn't know what he was talking about!

then he was a con artist and probably didn't know what he was talking about!
Surely if your going to be a succesfull con-artist then you get as much info as you can about the subject you are going to be...?