by Bart Epstein

Controllers are just like pilots: All are human and make mistakes. Most are good, know the rules, do everything they can to make your flight efficient and safe, and make sensible judgments. Only a tiny fraction are highly paid chair-warmers too lazy or bored to have opened the book (FAA Order 7110.65) for a refresher on the finer points of their craft.

For pilots, what this means is that amidst what is overwhelmingly professional and courteous ATC service, you’ll hear the occasional boneheaded clearance, instruction or suggestion with which no sensible pilot should comply. That’s why we have readback procedures and is one of the reasons the word "unable" exists and why you should use it without…