Originally Posted by
BFSGrad
The preliminary NTSB report makes clear that the FDX pilot’s cleared-to-land query was “because he was concerned about the Southwest traffic.” That query was transmitted after WN708 received its takeoff clearance. One lesson to be learned from this incident for both pilots and controllers is to be as clear and concise as possible with communications. If the FDX pilot’s concern was separation from the departing 737, he should have stated that in his query. Yes, that’s implied in a cleared-to-land query, but there’s no guarantee how the LC will interpret that query. In this incident, the LC took no apparent immediate action to verify separation based on the FDX cleared-to-land query. It wasn’t until approximately 40 seconds later that the LC queried WN708’s status.
Sure, the indirect intent of that query was exactly what you says it is: the FX pilot was concerned about the separation. The tower controller should have picked up on that but didn't which should have prompted the FX crew to ask a more direct separation query. But the WN pilots also heard that request and from the timestamps, 40 seconds later, had just begun their takeoff roll. Where was their sense of urgency? That request came around 50 seconds after they were issued their takeoff clearance and advised there was a 767 on a three mile final.
Not defending the FX pilots, either. Apart from your commentary, the FX FO also issued non-standard radio calls telling the WN flight to abort and then stating they were on the go instead of announcing they were going around.