It Was True, Honest!
Told to me in the Middle East by an ex-PATCO Chicago Centre controller (fired by Reagan if you remember that far back). He swore it was true:
Chicago: Speedbird 123, turn left 30 degrees for noise
abatement.
BAW123: Ah, Chicago, confirm this is for "noise abatement"? We
are at Flight Level 390, you know!
Chicago: BAW123, have you heard the sound two B747s make
when they hit each other?