{"id":156261,"date":"2026-09-01T01:24:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=156261"},"modified":"2026-09-01T01:28:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:58:47","slug":"new-york-jfk-atc-scolds-distracted-delta-767-pilot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/new-york-jfk-atc-scolds-distracted-delta-767-pilot\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta 767 Pilot Calls New York JFK ATC Rude"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW YORK JFK-<\/strong> Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/a> faced a tense exchange with a New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)<\/strong> air traffic controller after the crew of Flight DL773 appeared to miss multiple radio transmissions while taxiing for departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Delta Boeing 767-300ER was preparing to depart New York for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)<\/strong> on August 22, 2026, when the JFK ground controller repeatedly called the aircraft before questioning whether the crew needed additional assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

JFK Controller Challenges Delta Crew Over Missed Calls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exchange occurred at around 10 a.m. as Delta Flight DL773<\/strong> taxied toward Runway 4L at JFK. The aircraft was instructed to cross Runway 31L at Kilo Echo, hold short of Kilo, and follow a JetBlue aircraft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the crew did not respond promptly, the controller repeated the transmission and specifically told Delta 773 that the instruction was intended for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilot then responded, prompting the controller to point out that he had already repeated the instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exchange continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JFK ATC:<\/strong> Delta 773 heavy, when able, cross 31L at KE, hold short of K, follow JetBlue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JFK ATC:<\/strong> Delta 773 heavy, that was for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delta pilot:<\/strong> Okay, go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JFK ATC:<\/strong> Ma’am, this is the second time I’ve had to repeat myself twice. Is everything okay?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delta pilot:<\/strong> Uh, yes, everything is wonderful. We were just speaking here. Yes, please go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JFK ATC:<\/strong> You’re busy in there. Should I get you a follow-me vehicle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delta Pilot:<\/strong> Stop being rude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JFK ATC:<\/strong> It’s not being rude. It’s a safety question. Me repeating myself multiple times to an aircraft that stopped is not being rude. Delta 773 heavy, do you need a follow-me vehicle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delta pilot:<\/strong> Uh, no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JFK ATC:<\/strong> Delta 773 heavy, again, cross 31L at KE, join K4, and hold short of K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delta pilot:<\/strong> 31L at KE, K4, hold short of K, Delta 773.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The audio was published by the YouTube channel You can see ATC<\/strong>, which also provided a visualization of the interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Oliver Holzbauer – N171DZ Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332(ER)(WL) coming in from New York (KJFK) @ Frankfurt (EDDF) \/ 08.04.2015, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=40669627<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why the Controller’s Sarcasm Became the Focus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The controller’s tone quickly became the most noticeable part of the exchange. His suggestion that Delta might need a follow-me vehicle was clearly sarcastic, particularly because the aircraft was already receiving taxi instructions from ground control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A follow-me vehicle is generally used at airports to guide aircraft or other vehicles when additional assistance is required. In this exchange, the controller used the reference to emphasize that the crew appeared not to be following the expected flow of taxi instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An unidentified voice then told the controller to stop being rude. The controller rejected that criticism and framed his repeated calls as a safety concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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