Just remembered another from the dim and distant past:
Belgian ATC were taking some form of industrial action, such as a work to rule.
It was about 2.30 in the morning, I was going into Brussels and was very surprised to be given a substantial delay (maybe 20 mins). The next aircraft comes onto the frequency, is given a similar delay, when the following exchange takes place:
A/C: I require a priority landing, I have government ministers on board.
ATC: Do you have an emergency, or are you an ambulance flight?
A/C: Negative, but I have government ministers on board and they cannot accept a twenty minute hold.
ATC: If you do not have an emergency and you are not an ambulance flight you cannot be given priority. That is the law.
...quite a long pause, say 60 secs...
A/C: I have the Justice Minister on board and he says not to tell him what the law is!
W
Last edited by Timothy; 13th Jul 2003 at 01:38.