For heavens' sake, ithaca, if you don't know anything about aircraft operations, please get off this site.
Don't create a drama out of a completely standard procedure and possibly attract an equally ill-informed press.
Wrt your comment, mhk77, might I suggest both engage brain before contributing to a professional site ?
Oh, and also before you feel you must react as well……..
With all due respect Sleeve Wing, this is a public website. The ATC Issues thread is open to ATCOs, pilots, cabin crew and general members of the public. It's not locked out to non-ATCOs. Or have I missed the introduction of that policy?
And why shouldn't a member of the public with a genuine interest in aviation ask questions of the professionals via this site?
The only person showing a lack of professionalism is you. I take pride in my job as an ATCO of over 12 years and when people have questions about our industry, whether here or in 'the real world', I'm happy to answer if I'm able to do so and it is appropriate to do so.