Lawyerboy,. .. .I used to do the whole "polite" thing at A/G airfields, but my current opinion is that it gives the bloke on the ground too much rope to hang himself. To explain; "ask" for a straight-in join/approach and, if A/G operator isn't switched on, the word "cleared..." is already marching its way towards his next radio tx. The next thing you know the bloke is giving you sequencing from the 152 on left base,clearance to land,taxi to the gates, follow the marshaller etc etc. . .. .I suggest just treating it as almost an uncontrolled/unmanned field. Having assessed the traffic yourself, tell the bloke what you're going to do. ."Stapleford Radio, G-XXXX, 8 miles NE at 2000' to land, intend joining long final Runway 22.". .If there's any traffic or airfield info he can give you at this point, he should. Failing that you can ask for it.. .Bottom line: you've stated your intentions and you're not giving the A/G operator a chance to use the ATCO licence he doesn't have! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .Might make me sound a bit arrogant, but I've found it cuts out a lot of the hesitation and indecision <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />