Originally Posted by
F-16GUY
Why didn't the controller try to call them up on guard frequency? Don't most commercial aircraft have one radio dedicated to listen in on 121.5? And the controller probably have a touch key on his screen to enable him to transmit on guard easily .
often in the approach phase the number two radio is tuned to company operations or the ramp to get gate assignments and pass maintenance and other requests. Often does not get switched back to 121.5. I doubt tower has a guard transmitter anyway. Normally enroute sectors have that.