Too many extra words
The use of 'The' before a callsign is simply poor R/T, nothing more, nothing less.
Another example (of poor R/T) in common use is the expression '... with you...' after a frequency change (as in 'Paris, Anyjet 123 with you flight level 260...'
None of us is perfect, but we are all supposed to be professional aviators. The least we can do is try to keep our R/T as concise as possible.
Last edited by Redstripe; 25th Dec 2004 at 20:46.