Posted on Businessballs.com from R Brown:
I worked at an international airport in the Middle East a few years ago. A local hero there and an all round good egg, Tom, in the tower one day received a call from the electrical guys on their way to do their daily checks:
"Tower, Electric One. Request clearance to cross the runway at Yankee."
"Electric One, Tower. Hold."
A few seconds later, Tom receives another call: "Tower, Electric One. Request clearance to cross the runway at Yankee."
Tom replies: "Electric One, Tower. Hold."
A few seconds later, the same call again: "Tower, Electric One. Request clearance to cross the runway at Yankee."
Tom replies: "Electric One – If you look to your right you will see a Garuda 747 about to land. If you’ve got the balls you’ve got the permission."
After a couple of seconds: "Electric One – Holding."