This is sort of hilarious — the most infamous controller at New York Kennedy Airport (JFK) called out Delta pilots when they seemingly weren’t paying attention, and he asked a sarcastic question. Someone then told him not to be rude, which of course wasn’t well received. I have to say, this is a case where I actually sort of side with the controller, even though there was no need for his sassiness.
ATC gets sarcastic with Delta pilot, gets called out
YouTube channel “You can see ATC” has the audio and a visualization of a funny interaction that happened at JFK Airport around 10AM on August 22, 2026. The controller featured in this interaction should sound familiar, because he’s “that guy.”
Long story short, this incident involves Delta flight DL773, scheduled to operate from New York to Los Angeles (LAX), using one of those gorgeous Boeing 767-300ERs. The plane was taxiing out to runway 4L, when this interaction happened:
JFK ATC: “Delta 773 heavy, when able, cross 31L at KE, hold short of K, follow JetBlue.”
JFK ATC: “Delta 773 heavy, that was for you.”
Delta pilot: “Okay, go ahead.”
JFK ATC: “Ma’am, this is the second time I’ve had to repeat myself twice. Is everything okay?”
Delta pilot: “Uh, yes, everything is wonderful. We were just speaking here. Yes, please go ahead.”
JFK ATC: “You’re busy in there. Should I get you a ‘follow me’ vehicle?”
Unknown voice: “Stop being rude.”
JFK ATC: “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?”
Delta pilot “Uh, no.”
JFK ATC: “Delta 773 heavy, again, cross 31L at KE, join K4, and hold short of K.”
Delta pilot: “31L at KE, K4, hold short of K, Delta 773.”
The controller was obnoxious, but right to be annoyed
This particular JFK air traffic controller is notorious for his attitude, and won’t miss an opportunity to prove how “alpha” he is. In general that’s of course incredibly off-putting, since he really puts pilots on edge (especially foreign ones, where he doesn’t seem to consider that English may not be everyone’s first language).
Obviously this guy was being sarcastic by asking if the Delta plane needs a “follow me” vehicle to stay in the taxi queue.
However, I’ve gotta say, the Delta pilot was also being unprofessional, in my opinion. When you’re at the controls (especially in the queue for takeoff at JFK), you should always be monitoring the radios, and listening for your callsign.
It sounds like they missed multiple radio transmissions, and rather than her saying “sorry about that,” she acted as if the air traffic controller was inconveniencing her by giving instructions. “We were just speaking here” shouldn’t be the response when an air traffic controller points out you’re missing multiple calls, no matter how “premium” of a conversation you were having!
To give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they were dealing with something urgent, in which case they could’ve explained that to the controller, or simply asked him to stand by. But to basically be like “yeah, we missed your calls because we were talking” isn’t a great excuse.
This is one of those rare cases where I think this particular controller is more right than wrong! My guess is that the first “stop being rude” comment came from the captain of that Delta jet, who was likely taxiing the plane, while the first officer was working the radios.
Bottom line
JFK’s most infamous air traffic controller was short on patience with a Delta pilot. The pilot reportedly missed multiple transmissions, so he asked if everything was okay, and if they needed a “follow me” car to get to the runway.
Rather than apologizing, the Delta pilot justified the lack of response by explaining that the pilots were talking to one another. It’s one thing if there were an emergency, but that doesn’t really work as an excuse for two pilots communicating. They should always listen for their callsign, because ATC can’t be expected to repeat every instruction multiple times.
What do you make of this interaction between JFK ATC & Delta pilots?
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