ATC always train not to turn in to dead engine if possible although that’s not so important with modern jet aircraft direction of turn is still a reasonable question (although I’d welcome any other views on this, particularly about non jet types).
SOB - Aircraft was probably 8/10 mins from touchdown so why ask someone else to try and get through to an ops department to find someone that will give the upmost priority to a request for souls on board?
If the fire service need that info best to get it from the flight deck.
I’d also want to know which engine was out to pass that to fire service too.
Good to hear UAL say “Mayday” I realise US procedures are different but nothing catches the attention quite like the M word.
While overall I thought it was really well handled on both sides the ATC didn’t know if the fire was still burning (endangering wing/control surfaces/falling out of the sky) or fire was out and a ‘normal’ return.
On that basis, any criticism about circuit or questioning seems pretty harsh in my view.