The pilots are being told one thing 30 minutes before departure and then they get on the runway and we're required to tell them another thing.
Funny, it happens all the time at Palo Alto(*). If low-time GA pilots can handle it I can't really understand why airline pilots would get their underwear in a twist. Must have been a quiet day at the paper, coupled with NATCA's perpetual agenda (justified imo, but still an agenda).
*: all IFR departures get the same clearance, which involves a right turn to a E or SE heading after departure. Departures for the north invariably get a last-minute change for a straight-out departure, immediately prior to take-off clearance. This involves a change of departure freq as well as the procedure itself. Not exactly a big deal, especially after the first time when you realise that this is going to be coming.
n5296s