In my last company (I was there for 19 years) the "Rad Alt live - 2500 feet" with a cross check from the other pilot was an SOP call. Making sure that both Rad Alts agreed was particularly important on an LVP approach.
It made perfect sense to me and cost absolutely nothing.
By the way, I used to go into St Maarten with the DC-10. We always landed to the east and took-off to the west. It was not difficult as long as you had done your homework. The length of the runway and the hill at the eastern end were the main problems. Most of the time we could make JFK with a full load but sometimes the tailwind on take-off would mean a quick refuel at San Juan.
Last edited by JW411; 18th Mar 2017 at 17:32.