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Some pilots are smooth operators. They have to be to function in a role like flying for a major airline. However, the occasional airline pilot may go a bit overboard with their confidence and think that the radio on their airplane is the perfect tool to ask an air traffic controller out. This one isn’t as smooth as he thought. 

An air traffic controller rejected an airline pilot’s advance on the radio before the pilot got defensive

After a brief exchange with an air traffic controller, an airline pilot decided to swing for the fences and ask her out on the radio. “Hey there,” the pilot said. “I pulled you up on my number two radio. And I was like ‘Hey, is it inappropriate to ask for a controller’s number?’” 

The air traffic controller was understandably surprised. “Wait, say it one more time?” she requested. He then responded, “Moxy 516. You want to send me a text sometime?” Certainly a brazen thing to do on a radio where it could come back to haunt him. Brazen or something else entirely.

“Sir, I’m married,” she quickly responded to Moxy 516 on the radio. It was right here that the pilot started backpedaling. “No, sincere. I’m not interested like that but I figured you had a personality,” he said. “It’s kind of rare.” Yikes. It just kept getting worse as the exchange continued. 

“Aww, thank you!” she responded. And just like that, the airline pilot zipped his lips and carried on. “I don’t know. I think I was a little too nice to that guy,” the air traffic controller said to another pilot. No arguments here. 

And some of the comments agreed with her last statement. “Is this what they call a missed approach?” one commenter joked. Another viewer jested, “’‘It’s smooth pretty much everywhere.’ Except in the cockpit of Moxy 516. That was not smooth.” A different viewer was decidedly less enthused. “Got his little ego hurt and pulled the ‘Oh not interested like that, you just seem nice,’” the viewer wrote. 

Needless to say, one of the other pilots on the frequency responded with surprise at the brazen display. “On behalf of all pilots, I’d like to apologize,” the second pilot said to the air traffic controller. Check out a video with the radio transcript below!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer, an admitted petrolhead, and an avid motorcyclist. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis. Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.