I can just imagine the screaming if ATC decided to tell the Captain how to operate his aircraft, and to where. ATC controls the aircraft, the Captain and his company operate them. There is a profound difference.
@ Johnny ... there is an unfortunate reluctance for pilots to declare "Pan" and use euphemisms instead. Fuel emergency = PAN, simples. i spent years drumming that into new USAF crews operating in UK.
And reminding them that PAN calls are Free!
