The German controllers at Frankfurt Airport are a short-tempered lot.
They not only expect pilots to know their parking location but how to
get there without any assistance. So it was with some amusement that
we (a PanAm 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt
ground and a British Airways 747 (radio call Speedbird 206) after
landing.
Speedbird 206: "Good morning Frankfurt. Speedbird 206 clear to
active."
Ground: "Good Morning. Taxi to your gate."
The British Airways 747 pulls onto the main taxiway and stops.
Ground: "Speedbird, do you know where you are going?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by, ground. I'm looking up the gate location
now."
Ground (impatiently): "Speedbird 206, have you never flown to
Frankfurt before?"
Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, in 1944. But I didn't stop."
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