Re ''Standby'' ...
2 Flatearthers Northbound over the Midlands , to leave from Scotland on their 1st Oceanic trip . ''Shanwick ABC request Oceanic '' .. Lovely lady ''Standby'' ....
3 mins from getting feet wet , after much shrugging of shoulders , quizzing looks back and forth ... Oh well here goes nothing ... ''Shanwick , ABC we're 3 mins from 't Ocean , and not got clearance '' .... Lovely lady with a bit of a bark '' ABC Why Did You Not Call Me Earlier ? '' .......... '' ABC , we did , 40 mins ago and you said STANDBY ! '' .... Could hear Lovely lady thinking '' ++++ '' .
Bwatch G .... re emergencies .
Lift off in AMS , little yellow light comes on re back up brakes , minor chuckle as it's P2 s go . Level out at crz , he's enjoying sorting out the problem , into hold at LAM [ Fri night rush hour ] , still finishing QRH and arithmatic . Turns out the book says we need 3 and 1/2 K of concrete . Doh . Luckily it's 27R .
Best give ATC an heads up , '' ABC , are you declaring an emergency ? '' ........ '' No , just giving you an heads up '' ....... '' ABC , are you declaring an emergency ? '' ......... repeat of above .... repeat .... '' Oh , All right this will be a PAN '' , ........'' ABC , Pan acknowledged , turn left 160, desc 3000 ft ,ONH 1013 , cleared approach '' .....
'' NO , were happy in the hold , awaiting our turn , burning gas , and finishing chks ! '' .......... Didn't mention wanted time to finish meal and have a coffee [ joke ].
As it was , we turned off at Block 16 with 16 firetrucks backtracking to meet us .
That's why aviation is called a game .
But thanks to ATC for '' getting us down safely '' for 36 yrs .
And thanks to D and D for brill. talk last night . Good Halloween fare in the fog .
rgds condor .