[REAL ATC] Delta and Southwest VERY CLOSE CALL on takeoff

VASAviation Analysis of this incident -- • [ANALYSIS] Delta and S...
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[@techfreak1182]

"Passengers if you look off to your left you will see Delta 1328 challenging us to a game of chicken"

[@TahreyUK]

Yeah, one thing in all this is that I hope it was daytime and good visibility, so the two pilots might have had eyes on each other's planes and realised something was up almost before the stop was called, so the reaction times were shortened.

[@bik3r230]

And we all know Ive never lost a game of Chicken

[@ChocManus]

@@bik3r230 until you face me. . . . Prepare for it

[@nenblom]

Make sure you have clean underwear.

[@My_AviationChannel]

Biker Chapman O-O

[@fubaralakbar6800]

It's easy to forget these people are human, until you hear one of them go "STOP STOP STOP!"

[@nahuelma97]

Lmao totally. That was like breaking character or something

[@Rybread52]

Nahuel Martínez I feel like that's even more effective than staying "in character" in an emergency situation. It's so jarring that it would immediately grab everyone's attention.

[@zoranhacker]

@@Rybread52 obviously, I don't think "Delta 3828 please firmly apply the breaks immediately" would have done nearly as good of a job lol

[@kanehodder3459]

Reminds me of flight sim ATC videos

[@craigbryant3191]

I think Delta 1328 got a good talking to after that one...still and all, fast thinking and good recovery from everyone quite possibly saved a lot of lives.

[@rbnzo25]

“Cleared for takeoff, winds 060 at Niner” “Ahh another job well done rick *lays back in chair and glances at radar*.......HOLY F*”

[@planegaper]

they should never have been running crossing runways for takeoff, i know Midway is small and busy, but I've never liked the idea of objects going fast with an intersection in the middle, maybe use the windward as the landing runway.. easier than having two aircraft taking off same time..Besides Gatewick manages with one .. so it can be done ..

[@GT-ATC]

@@planegaper it is an operation done daily at busy airports across the country.

[@JohnDoe-dj3lw]

LMAO

[@rbnzo25]

Damn almost 300 likes. I totally forgot about this comment lol

[@ramflow8466]

@Johnny G Brenner BROOO. Aint that the truth. lmao

[@wulfherecyning1282]

The Southwest asking "were we the ones cleared?" must have sighed a massive sigh of relief when he heard "yeah you were doing what you were supposed to be doin[g]"

[@victorpena3129]

Imagine the delta pilot listening to that.

[@frankgrimesification]

@@victorpena3129 True dat! I bet DL pilot got a call into the chief pilots office that night and got an earful.

[@gdshoe5822]

"Yeah, we've also got to call company..." -- I can just imagine the Delta pilots sitting there: "... No. You call them." "I've got seniority. You call them." "They're going to want to talk to you first..." (etc) I wonder if they flew without disembarking, or changing pilots? [cringe]

[@UnfiItered]

@@gdshoe5822 if this is their first review, they would just be advise.

[@timengineman2nd714]

@@gdshoe5822 Also, there may have been an Underwear Check in the Delta Cockpit when they heard that Sugar Whiskey was doing what they were supposed to be! And that in addition to getting confused on the Call Sign & Number, that he messed up by not realizing that he was on a Totally Different Runway!!!

[@Airakobra]

ATC: Pay attention, similar callsigns Both Pilots: Ok, WE'LL BE AWARE *1 min later* Both initiate takeoff no questions asked

[@bibinb.8688]

LMAO

[@briansmyla8696]

The controller spoke so fast that all they could understand was the '28'.

[@Milesco]

@@briansmyla8696 : And the audio quality of the radio transmissions was unusually poor....and most of all, it sounds like the ATC was keying the mike *_after_* he started talking, rendering the callsigns inaudible.

[@sonickunckle]

The Southwest was the one being cleared by the atc to take off, only the Delta was daydreaming, to miss even the heading and the rwy identification in the take off clearance that were not referring to them at all

[@Redbikemaster]

@@Milesco it's good to remember that these recordings aren't from ATC directly. They're from receivers set up by volunteers. However that wouldn't explain keying up late

[@TheQuakeIV]

I like how the controller was like HRWEGUHASD28 STOP STOP STOP and neither could tell which one he was referring to so they both stopped.

[@GT-ATC]

This audio recording is crap compared to the actual audio

[@GT-ATC]

@@bawzzzz Ive literally listened to the official FAA recording dozens of times... so try again. The controller was given awards and the DAL pilot lost their job. But, I'm sure you're right

[@TheFrogInYourClosetWatchingYou]

@@GT-ATC links?

[@CGJUGO80]

@@TheFrogInYourClosetWatchingYou He's still looking for them

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

Yeah but isn't this a recording made by a volunteer with a radio reciever? It seems like the video is going to be closer to what the pilots actually heard as apposed to a recording made at the tower. Unless the official recording came of the flight recorders that is.

[@realitydrip3293]

That’s a tough call to your boss. “Yeah we had to abort our takeoff because we started to takeoff and shouldn’t have”.

[@techdiverpratt5899]

What kind of punitive action is taken, if any?

[@PInk77W1]

KLM vs Pan Am

[@pedrowalter633]

@Life as we know it i doubt that Delta's pilots get a huge punishment, probally will get a advise

[@antoy384]

TadpoleDiving Heard in other comments that he was fired.

[@lauradehaan3690]

@@pedrowalter633 Yeah he was fired, but got his job back on base salary

[@tabel4844]

This was borderline funny. They both read back when 3828 got the take off clearance, and they both read back when he yelled at 1328 to stop.

[@suckerberga]

Like numba 60.

[@gilliganallmighty3]

The fact that the one was keying in over ATC's transmission says a lot.

[@ljmcobra0520]

That should have been a sign for the controller to slow down. If the controller cannot clearly make out the readback and ensure it’s accuracy he should have stopped and confirmed. 1 go around is better than what actually happened

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Only the delta pilot was confused.

[@jhsevs]

@@SYDAirlineEnthusiastNo, everyone was confused.

[@kojack635]

The animations help alot

[@VASAviation]

That's the purpose! :)

[@RegumRai]

thanks for the animate

[@lukecroissant46]

Cody Hill ii

[@jopasungkorat369]

John Doe _*

[@aashishthapa3881]

I thought its from their system

[@MerchantIvoryfilms]

I'll never complain about delays again on the runway O.o

[@bob39434]

Anton Zuykov o

[@synl8847]

Lol yeah

[@MissMichSan]

Merchant Ivory right! XD

[@themerovingian4252]

Yes you will.

[@parodynet3004]

Literally be like on the next flight: *Why the bloody hell are we still on ground?!*

[@MidnightSt]

ATC: "Pay attention, similar callsigns." Also ATC: "I will emphasize more the part of your callsigns that is similar, and mumble away at the Delta/Southwest part which is most dissimilar."

[@BKnight_]

Are you complimenting ATC or have you mixed up your points?

[@brendalg4]

@@BKnight_ it's sarcasm. ATC tells them to be careful and then he mumbles the most important part

[@BKnight_]

@@brendalg4 I know what he is _trying_ to say, but mumbling the parts which are most *dissimilar* implies the ATC does _as he should_ and emphasises the parts that might otherwise cause confusion. If he mumbled the parts which are most *similar*, then it'd imply poor communication and the mixing up of things. @MidnightSt says the former rather than the latter. "mumble away at the Delta/Southwest part which is most dissimilar" - okay? That doesn't matter though. You want to emphasise the numbers since, if you don't, you can cause the very confusion that we just saw in the video above. You could arguably say that there would be no confusion had the ATC just said "Delta" or "Southwest" but that'd bring along more confusion if other planes that are Delta or Southwest were in the area. It's also generally awful practice to refer to them by that rather than their numerical callsigns too. My point is that MidnightSt has worded it wrong. Mumbling the least important information wouldn't be a problem, it's the mumbling of the important information (the numbers) that is important.

[@Ajgau11]

Tower clearly said Runway 31C cleared for take off

[@brendalg4]

@@BKnight_ he shouldn't be mumbling any of it. If you can't speak without mumbling, then you shouldn't be a pilot or ATC

[@FrancoCastro]

My cousin was a cargo pilot in Alaska, he was among the youngest and pilots with fewer hours in her company she did a similar mistake and ended up crossing an active runway. She was sure she was about to get fired and her boss told her "Fire you? you just got one of the most valuable lessons in your life that you can't learn in any school"

[@TTFerdinand]

True, the lessons you learn in real life, where you don't kill yourself or anybody else, are the most valuable of all.

[@galady8632]

That boss was wise. She will always remember that mistake and she definitely learned from it. My dear Mother was known to say 'as long as you learn from your mistakes they were not in vain'.

[@xhuynh23]

How did a "He" turn into a "she"? Hm....making me ponder about the validity here! Lol

[@acesandspades4901]

@@xhuynh23 it’s easy to miss a letter with he and she,, I mean they are one letter off

[@mrsoikawa]

@@xhuynh23 anything goes nowadays...

[@ViSijGames]

This is a perfect example of why you should say DELTA 1-3-2-8, and not DELTA thirteen twentyeight..

[@johnemery587]

Viktor Sijpkens - Aviation. Ab·so·lute·ly

[@kahmysan]

Unfortunately, AIM 4-2-4(a)(5) advises pilots of air carriers to use group form for the flight numbers. So they SHOULD follow AIM guidance until the AIM or company policy changes.

[@kd5nrh]

Grouping does eliminate some confusions, as well; fifty-whatever sounds nothing like ninety-whatever, where as even properly using niner doesn't come through clearly under all conditions.

[@mef12727]

Viktor Sijpkens - Aviation it's against company policy. Numbers needs to be grouped together. If I was the ATC I would have stated Delta delta everytime.

[@Hamchuck112]

Nobody does that.

[@ispanico23]

That moment when you realise this is not Steam Edition.

[@typ0id]

Lmao

[@youssafsu2307]

This video is basically fsx steam edition in a nutshell

[@VelocityFilmsCO]

Yousuf Mohamed - Except here they actually stopped and didn’t keep going lols.

[@InitiateDee]

Welcome to -Steam Edition- Real Life.

[@LesterBrunt]

Yousuf Mohamed Only without the hot air balloons going mach 4 across the runway.

[@stevecarter8810]

I'd much prefer the atcs have a pool of temporary callsigns they can draw from: southwest 3828 be advised, similar callsign on frequency, you are now known as "snoopy".

[@steabert]

This would just lead to "Alright, we are now known as Snoopy, Delta 1328" in this case.

[@thetalesofdaneandco]

That's not the worst solution I've ever heard, though if FAA would just follow the damn international rule about reading out the Flight #s individually (ie one three two eight instead of thirteen twenty eight), this would have been avoided.

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

@@thetalesofdaneandco he probably read it that way to try to avoid confusion in this specific scenario.

[@BammerD]

Delta 1328, your callsign is now Oscar Oscar Foxtrot.

[@hagamapama]

​@@steabert​ actually if they both stuck with it it'd probably work. Even better if they used "Delta 1328 Snoopy," and "Southwest 3828 Linus"

[@ZekuChanU]

Both planes: “We are gonna call company” Their companies: “Good stuff”

[@zaabri283]

Mistaking the callsign is one thing, but how did he listen to 31C and hear it as 04R is beyond me.

[@LostFelidae]

That ☝🏻

[@alfin9189]

Either hearing problem or audio problem

[@authorvadeable]

Zed283 like the whole aviation for you it seems

[@article1372]

while it might be what we heard, radios, believe it or not, are still utter shit and sometimes have too much static

[@joker_g7337]

1:24 can you clearly hear "31"? No you cannot.

[@na-yp4xq]

I like how that lady controller talks very clearly as opposed to the guy who talks like he's in a auction house.

[@SVSky]

+Saye Gotham Cause she's a ground controller, she has more time to react to things. If she was doing tower it might be a different story.

[@infiltr80r]

+SiliconValleySky It's Midway not JFK right?

[@craigbrownell1667]

yes

[@Scoofio1987]

Lady was ground. Tower has a lot going on. Must have been nice weather and flights departing and landing from crossing runways. Midway gets busy. I live nearby.

[@Dowlphin]

Gal: Be advised, Southwest 3828 similar callsign to Delta 1328. Southwest and Delta: Acknowledged. Guy: hrschrsxhchsrshh28 do this. Southwest and Delta: Will do. Guy: hrschrsxhchsrshh28 do that. Southwest and Delta: Will do. Some things are so ridiculous, I can hardly believe there isn't a little devil sitting on someone's shoulder pulling strings in their brains.

[@haleiwasteve8434]

As a commercial pilot, I have the highest respect for ATC. Saying that, when hundreds of lives are at stake (or for that matter, even one life), it's important to clearly enunciate your words and if that means slowing down just a bit on the radio, then so be it.

[@JoBarsMoonbeam]

My thoughts exactly!

[@starga-fr7qx]

and not lining up 2 whatever 3828 ready to go, just hold 1 back from line up for 20 secs, its not worth it!

[@chrisgast]

Some, if not many, people don't like to enunciate. They are pathetic and lazy pieces of trash when it comes to speaking.

[@rexon112]

And maybe listening better as a pilot and recognizing the context to decide if the message really was intended for you

[@haleiwasteve8434]

@@rexon112 Unfortunately, this isn't a perfect world. While it's incumbent for pilots to carefully listen as the possibility for miscommunication could lead to disaster, the same goes for ATC controllers. It works both ways.

[@bart99gt]

Why I always repeat the company when I have similar sounding callsigns on my frequency. Ex., Southwest 1328, Southwest. It doesn’t stop something like this from happening, but it at least gives some additional emphasis. Nothing breaks your workflow on a sector worse than two aircraft trying to take the same climb/descent clearance on a busy sector and then trying to figure out who the other aircraft was. Particularly when there aren’t any similar sounding callsigns on your frequency.

[@Ken-xv4sb]

So.. not being s pilot or atc.. what could be done to prevent this? I like your idea... To my untrained self it would make sense for the controller to just advise one plane not to move due to similar call signs... And as soon as the similar one gets off the ground, move them to take off? Seems this would be a lot less likely to cause confusion than trying too e them both at the same time.

[@jesslynch94]

“STOP STOP STOP!” Thats loud and clear LOL

[@ryanrahebi9490]

j elle my favorite part of the video gets my adrenaline going every time

[@aneeshprasobhan]

thats about the only part where the ATC said clearly. During the takeoff clearance, the second time he said cleared, he didnt tell it properly.

[@leert2698]

Can you imagine being a passenger on one of those planes and your chance to disembark, without the help of a U S Marshal , was past ?

[@basrinak6372]

Very nicely done- I love the color coding to help track who is who.

[@VASAviation]

That's the purpose! Thanks for the comment! =)

[@VASAviation]

Cole Croley I do! Check the channel to watch those where 3D visualizations are added :)

[@ScottStruzik]

Yup, I subbed this channel, great quality production.

[@nenblom]

Basrinak I agree. That sure was a close one!!

[@wildgurgs3614]

Basrinak IKR! This channel's clarity in telling what happened really got me thinking about a career in aviation!

[@ericjamieson]

Videos been out for 4 years and youtube decides to recommend it to me 4 hours before I'm flying into MDW. Thanks, algorithm.

[@internetw4nk3r74]

That "...and no delay..." instruction really help.... to make... both to do not dare to delay...

[@Melodicfirefly]

"Heads up, you guys have similar call signs, so what I'm going to do is continue giving instructions at my usual breakneck speed and also make no special effort to speak very clearly. Good luck."

[@QemeH]

Yeah, but also... Delta didn't only mix up the callsign (twice), but also understood and read back a TO clearance for a runway they were NOT ON. And then Tower says "that was blocked" (indicating, another aircraft tried talking at the same time). There were ample indications for Delta that it wasn't their call. So while I agree with you that ATC was a minor contributing factor (especially to re-enforce the hurried "no delay please" after a blocked call that must have been odd to him as well), the major contributing factor here is the Delta aircraft, no question.

[@williamwallace9826]

Completely agree with Melodicfirefly. Even after listening to the radio exchanges multiple times, the controller was talking much too fast and made no effort to speak clearly.

[@MarksTournaments]

Melodicfirefly You don’t understand, it was ground that said “heads up, you guys have similar callsign” then they switched to tower and he’s obviously going to have a faster tone

[@michaelknight2342]

GOGOGO NODELAYS XD That style of language seems strangely familiar..

[@safe-keeper1042]

Did we watch the same video? I heard her state the IDs very clearly.

[@holgergrauslund]

Eminem: i’m the fastest rapper 2nd air controller: I’m going to end this mans whole career

[@splizzex]

Pretty sure he almost ended Delta Pilot's whole career

[@magix6099]

@@splizzex lmao haha

[@mattball7074]

Great so its not just me who thought that he was ripping

[@suryatejas3013]

1000th like!

[@DomoniqueMusiclover]

Haha

[@Lordcamilo2]

Aware of similar callsign: CHECK ✅ Also takeoff together when you're not supposed to do it: CHECK ✅

[@antoy384]

Not checking twice by asking ATC just to be sure: CHECK. Mumbling and clipping the callsign on the ATC side... CHECK.

[@ShiningDarknes]

@@antoy384 This was not ATC's fault at all. How do you mishear 31 as 04? Even if the callsigns are similar, if a runway YOU ARE NOT ON is getting cleared obviously that isn't your clearance.

[@shintaromidorima493]

“Cleared for takeoff, winds 060 at Niner” “Ahh another job well done rick *lays back in chair and glances at radar*.......HOLY F*”

[@heydonray]

40+ years as a professional aviator with 35 of those years in jets at busy airports, and IMO this could happen to anyone. Not an excuse, just a fact.

[@morganghetti]

Absolutely. Goes for controllers too.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Disagree, especially if both are different airlines. Southwest sounds nothing like delta.

[@erauprcwa]

That was an honest mistake. Glad everything worked out. I hate hearing over the radio, other aircrafts with the same numbers as me. It gets even more confusing when people step on each other.

[@erauprcwa]

***** Clearly... But it was still a mistake that ANYONE could've made, especially given the situations that they all were in. Fortunately everything worked out, but it was a mistake that many of us have or will make. Best we can do from this situation is to learn from it.

[@starwarsrebel2006]

Excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "step on" each other?

[@BBadalamente]

It is when two people try to transmit over the radio at the same time. When this happens, the first call may come through and the second one is blocked. Sometimes both calls may mesh or both are inaudible. The two people transmitting may also not realize that one stepped on another so that can further complicate things

[@starwarsrebel2006]

BBadalamente Thanks

[@Haildawn]

Why isnt there some kind of noise to indicate when that happens so everyone knows they might not have been heard properly, I feel like this would be extremely dangerous???

[@andrewnguyen2933]

This could've easily been the KLM and Pan Am crash again

[@ojtheaviator1795]

I would think that it's unlikely this incident would have been like Tenerife. At Tenerife, one 747 was taking off, while the other was crossing the active runway. Because the crossing 747 was going slow, there was a long window of speeds and times that would result in a collision. In this example, both of the aircraft were taking off, and would have been going very fast at their path intersection. With such great speed on the part of both aircraft, the collision window would be much smaller, which would let any small difference in acceleration or runway length change the situation from a collision to a near miss. However, I definitely think you are right that had they collided, it would have been a disaster approaching the scale of the KLM-Pan Am crash

[@unyxium]

but if they did both take off with one plane flying past just a little bit later, wouldn't there also be some danger due to the 1st plane's wake turbulance?

[@ojtheaviator1795]

@@unyxium Great point, I hadn't thought of that! If that were the case, I doubt it would be quite so catastrophic as Tenerife, but the second plane could well have crashed right after the wake turbulence. I don't remember what aircraft these were, but one other thing to consider is that the wake turbulence of modern aircraft with wing tip devices would be much less than aircraft of past years. With that in mind, maybe, depending on pilot skill, aircraft type, and luck, the second aircraft could have made it.

[@andrewnguyen2933]

I’m not sure if it would’ve crashed though because while I was look at it It looked like Southwest was going fast and Delta was going slow but I’m not sure so maybe stopping both planes was the best idea

[@jumboJetPilot]

My mother’s best friend died in that accident. And I myself am now a Boeing 747 captain.

[@jicklesjingles8134]

They're all professionals and still mumble almost every word as if it was unnecessary to talk clearly. It's quite obvious that a clear communication saves lives in aviation.

[@jaykay6387]

I've just recently started viewing some of these videos and noticed that the "mumbling" seems like a very common and customary "thing", and an "intentional" one at that. I totally understand that "brevity" is certainly required, as there is a ton of back and forth with dozens of aircraft at any one time, but it seems like they are all trying to be just a teeny tiny bit "too cool for school" while they should all try to perhaps take an extra split second to enunciate a bit better to eliminate any potential confusion. Good god.

[@alfredkc]

@@jaykay6387 It is most noticeable in American airports like JFK. Asian ones are often heavily accented as well. European ones are okay. The British ones are often the best.

[@meer-cha4985]

it's because of the americans not using the proper phraseology... it's not thirteen, it's one three.... it's not thirty eight, it's three eight

[@josephgriffin1065]

A link in the chain of events towards this possible accident was broken, no life or aircraft were lost and it is a valuable lesson to both pilots and atc

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

If someone keeps stepping on transmission, it’s fairly obvious that 2 people think you are talking to them. Cancel all clearances and tell them to listen! Speak very clearly and slowly.

[@sterlingreece9355]

No shit. Also, speak more slowly and clearly, and here's an idea: key up BEFORE you start talking

[@ac0rpbg]

@@sterlingreece9355 Funny how you think it is so easy to do so... I mean yea ATCs and Pilots can take their time and mumbo jumbo for hrs on frequency... That is not how it works guys. ATC and Pilots are speaking fast like this because there are a lot of planes on frequency and only limited time,it is very busy airport, and when you have to do it everyday it become the normal way you speak on frequency, it is really really hard to suddenly switch it, you may have planes coming in for landing that you need to give clearence to, you also communicate with ground control and Approach controllers. ATC was aware that this may happen, that is why they got advised for the similar callsigns. That is why the ATC gave the southwest the instruction 2 times. It was delta's pilots fault. Still ATC reacted very very fast with the stop stop stop. and serious on ground collision was avoided.

[@sterlingreece9355]

@@ac0rpbg I'm not saying it's easy, but I'm familiar with it, having spent 9 years in the air over Boise. I understand talking fast. But when you're unintelligible, or someone walks on someone else, everyone needs to back up and make sure they're communicating clearly.

[@GT-ATC]

@@sterlingreece9355 Chicago > Boise

[@sterlingreece9355]

@@GT-ATC all the more reason. I've flown through DIA and LAX, Chicago isn't scary son

[@Graxster]

When the pilots say they have to "contact company", are they referring to the fact that they need to "call their bosses" and let them know what happened?

[@viperz888]

Yes

[@AnorexicPandas]

also the dispatch to recalculate fuel and update time

[@angc214]

Yes call their bosses and also speak with a company maintenance tech to see if they are able to try to take off again or if the plane should be inspected further at the gate. I imagine this is SOP for any aborted take off.

[@pedrocoelho5965]

Why would the plane need to be inspected?

[@AnorexicPandas]

because SOPs, double checking redundancy to make certain everything is safe

[@terencehennegan1439]

It’s a wonder pilots can understand the tower at the speed they talk !

[@azureactivedirectory]

This is why under ICAO standards ATCs would say “Delta one-tree-two-eight”, but FAA doesn’t care about international standards so that’s ok

[@titolevis]

YEP!

[@VisibilityFoggy]

Bingo.

[@coolbrounderscore]

That likely wouldn't have fixed anything here. "Delta" and "Southwest" sound nothing alike, nor do "31 Center" and "04 Right". Just a mental lapse by the Delta crew.

[@mehitabel1290]

As long as the controllers sound slick and coool...

[@azureactivedirectory]

@@coolbrounderscore the point is to do everything possible to avoid confusion. In this case “Delta” and “southwest” could get cut off by shitty radio and then pilots could still get confused

[@Aeternum_]

I speak more clearly when I'm ordering food.

[@nottelling8129]

Sarutoshi underrated comment

[@mariusschmitt5855]

Thats because you want to be served with the food you ordered :-)

[@mitchellspanheimer1803]

Yeah but you take forever ;) LOL

[@arianebolt1575]

That ATC guy missed his calling. He should have been an auctioneer.

[@OneOkami]

+Ariane Bolt A lot of ATC communication sounds like that though, both from the pilots and the controllers. I had a United Airlines flight with an-flight radio that had a station letting you hear all the ATC comms the plane was tuned into. I listened to it every bit of it, gate-to-gate, and pretty much everyone I heard: my pilot, the various controllers we had had along the flight, and other pilots in the area, they all talked swiftly as if they were all auctioneers. I didn't find the male controller in this case out of the ordinary at all, but one could definitely argue dealing with similarly sounding call signs can warrant calling them out a bit more slowly/clearly.

[@michaelgriffiths1982]

That's what pisses me off about doctors, ATCs & pilots. Lives are at stake. Use legible writing and speech!.

[@ph11p3540]

Nah. Should be a math teacher. If you can make a very simple problem impossibly complicated then you too can be a math teacher.

[@Refrigerator44]

Also a lot of chicagoians sound and talk like that

[@conkerlive101]

@@michaelgriffiths1982 Thank you 4 years of Nursing school and 80% of the shit Dr's write is fucking illegible. its up to us to spend 10 minutes trying to figure out what could have been known immideatly if they took the extra 0.2 seconds not to write like a fucking toddler.

[@etekweb]

"Be advised similar callsign on frequency" *foreshadowing*

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

"Ok guys, we got similar call signs, line up on ur runways and we'll send the Delta plane first, ok?" "10-4, roger that"

[@elicantwell]

When he gives that first takeoff clearance am I the only one who literally can’t hear any callsign at all? Maybe like a “28” at the start but that’s it

[@stargazer7644]

Thats because of the AGC pumping at the start of every transmission. It’s a bad recording.

[@xyeahtony1]

maybe but there was only one plane lined up on 31C.

[@notsmoothie]

@@xyeahtony1 can't see the last part of your sentence, is it 4R?

[@duckygaming3536]

@@notsmoothie lmfao

[@B3Band]

The clearance was a different company, different flight number AND a different runway, and Delta still took it.

[@melissajohnson2935]

As a EMS dispatcher for nearly 20 years, I know how hectic radio traffic can be. Things can get missed, people walk on other people, transmissions get cutoff, ect.... I absolutely can not imagine how busy it is being a ATC, and how crazy radio traffic is at one of largest airports in the country. My hat off to these people! I'm glad they were paying attention and were able to avoid a tragedy.

[@ajwharton65]

Kudos for ATC in calling out the callsign similarity.

[@ochaoperative5146]

I love how at the start it mentions it was due to similar callsigns, and the first thing atc does is advice on similar callsigns.

[@davidmoore3983]

When they're getting stepped on when receiving takeoff clearance and the controller is talking 100 mph, it would seem like a recipe for a disaster.

[@jetlag410]

If I'm on the runway with a " line up and wait" and any transmission is blocked, I don't move, EVER!

[@douglasheld]

but TWR said, "no delay"

[@worldaviation4k]

delta wouldn't hear a block, south-west might not get the reception of the delta anyway and only tower

[@oogmastaa4]

There was no way that Southwest wouldve heard the block. As far as they knew, everything on the radio sounded normal until they heard "stop"

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

I think the "no delay" were the catalyst words that set this already-messed-up situation going down the one-way road to the point of no return.

[@delayed_control]

How the hell would SWA hear their transmission was blocked if they were the ones transmitting? Have you ever used a radio in your life?

[@mikewhitcomb6558]

I was doing touch and go's as a solo student @ VNY one day, when I heard a very similar call sign. I was flying N201TH, from what I recall the other aircraft was a also a 1TH. The second I heard that it just seemed like a good idea to enunciate my full call sign very deliberately, and the tower did the same in return until the other craft left the area.

[@davidwebb4904]

Same, at VNY also. These videos are useful tools for new pilots

[@radhikavij5921]

1:36 when the ATC yelled STOP STOP STOP. I swear my heart skipped several beats 😲😐

[@itsumonihon]

Great channel. This could have been a huge disaster.

[@Bobo56Bear]

according to diagram looked like SWA3828 would have squeaked just ahead on RW31C of Delta 1328 on RW4R ? both breaking may have been more of a issue given all the other birds in the air and tarmac in this situation ! ATC call was STOP STOP STOP Delta 1328 which he did not SWA3828 ! everybody SNAFU'd on this one ?!

[@stargazer7644]

Apparently you don't realize the diagram is just a best guess simulation based on the audio and there's no way to know exactly where the actual aircraft were at the time based solely on that.

[@anastasiareed360]

Lmao he might think it's data from the plane's GPS's, which is not haha

[@danielpatino4010]

That's how Gardel died

[@assassinwolvesfilms3851]

It happened somewhere (I can't remember where precisely) a plane was landing , another plane was cleared for take off, they didn't see each other until it was too late.

[@tankmaster1018]

I can't even begin to explain to you how much the moving map of the situation helped me understand what happened. Thanks so much!

[@VASAviation]

+tankmaster1018 Thanks to you! Share it all out! :D

[@brucebratschi4300]

I’ve enjoyed 18 years working with controllers in the Chicago area. Hats off to a fine group of people.

[@bjornroesbeke]

The "no delay" instruction probably caused all pilots not to confirm their takeoff clearance.

[@ShiningDarknes]

they did confirm...at the same time so neither was heard. I think that on "no delay" instruction pilots should have to wait for ATC to give "readback correct" before they start the takeoff and if they don't hear that, they don't take off. I realize that is not standard procedure, but incidents like this are what should cause standard procedure to change to something closer to idiot-proof.

[@aviationandotherstuff6571]

The “no delay” instruction is to just to tell the pilots to expedite their takeoff phase of the flight. Without that instruction, the Southwest pilots could’ve proceeded slowly with the takeoff and then caused a conflict with arriving traffic on the cross runway.

[@mwethereld]

"Delta 1328, when you have a moment sir I have a phone number for you..." lol.

[@CA2APat]

Absolutely excellent video! Thank you so much VASAviation for making this reminder available to all of us who need it. And to all those non-pilots, keep in mind, we have poor audio, loud noise, high stress, constant time constraints and much more to have to deal with everyday and do the best we can.

[@royeb63]

Because of all that it would have been better if ATC didn't line up both planes at the same time. Could have kept one at holding until AFTER he had issued the take-off clearance to the other. After all, a few seconds delay is better than a runway collision.

[@xXAzotakaXx]

This video has scarred me for life. I used to feel safe when we landed, now it's just constant alert.

[@frankgrimesification]

Lighten up, Francis. There's risk in everything you do in life from birth to Earth. If you let it consume you, you are doomed.

[@semurobo]

I Love how the subtitles say " Stop Stop Stop" while in reality ATC Just keeps yelling Stop around 10 times into the Microphone until both airplanes have come to a Stop.

[@roberthinchliffe578]

Proper Controller phraseology "southwest 1328 southwest" Always use company name twice when similar callsigns!

[@daveangelew]

+robert hinchliffe It's southwest 3828

[@mosienko1983]

lol

[@Brooklyn-Manhattan]

Robert: Say the Company twice Also Robert: * confuses the numbers. *

[@hotlunch4415]

Brooklyn-Manhattan 2010 Sort of makes the point though

Dont start talking till AFTER youve actually pushed the button wouldve avoided this.

[@the3rdid485]

I was thinking the exact same same thing. It's basic dispatch technique, don't cut off the first word of your broadcast. It's vital.

[@bcb102]

I was a police dispatcher for 7 years....you are absolutely right. There is proper radio etiquette and then there's people who don't give a damn and walk all over eachother.

[@NorthernLightsEric]

I'm willing to bet that it was the ATC scanner (for this recording) that delayed the start of messages. It was likely fine for the pilots and ATC.

[@worldaviation4k]

It's not that, i think it's because of radio reception one doesn't hear southwest talking tower hears one getting blocked

[@sbreheny]

They should all be able to hear each other since they are at the same airport.

[@Thermalburn]

Tower: Hey guys, please be extra careful since you two have similar call signs Delta/Southwest: *proceed to not be extra careful*

[@RedtailMediaPro]

A couple points. 1. The quality of these recordings made by people near the field picking up the transmissions with their own radios varies. It doesn't necessarily represent the quality they were hearing on their radios. Could be better, could be worse. That said, 2. clearly tower was aware of the potential for miscommunication. As such they were talking way to fast. "serperder thirder 28, line up and hold."

[@arfyness]

Lol "serperder thirder"

[@dew9103]

He also seem to talk before actually press his Push To Talk button, he said “..28

[@k1productions87]

Even if its garbled, "runway three one center" would still not only sound distinct from "runway four right", but even different number of syllables if all you heard was "grh-grh grh grh grh-grh" instead of "grh-grh grh grh" Unless you hear YOUR runway called, you got no business rolling.

[@lancelot1953]

VASAviation, thank you so much for this informative presentation with great explanatory graphics depicting this incident. It is filled with lessons learned and this is the way the review of this potential mishap/FAA safety board show review it. I find it hard to throw stones at anyone since the take-off clearances were "broken/garbled" and there was "urgency" in the air as another aircraft was on short final. I applaud the professionalism of everyone involved and I am grateful that the information could be disseminated for the benefit of the aviation/air controller community. Ciao, L (pilot)

[@VASAviation]

+lancelot1953 Thanks to you guys for your great comments! My work is worth if you guys enjoy the videos and learn something out of them.

[@islou]

+VASAviation - just chiming in to say thanks for the great work! Find your videos fascinating!

[@10kanojias]

Great work from all the parties involved, but i really dislike the radios on aircrafts. I myself had had a lot of issues during callbacks and callouts due to poor radio communications. Wаy to much of it getting cluttered

[@MrJONES925]

Controller error , awareness not maintained. The local controller should have been aware of the similar sounding call signs and used prescribed phraseology in accordance with FAA 7110.65 which is "Delta 1328 Delta" and "Southwest 3828 Southwest ". Controllers are responsible for miss readbacks. Also , when the two answered for the take off clearance he should have immediately said something like " the last transmission was for Southwest 3828 Southwest .....Delta 1328 Delta cancel takeoff clearance " . The inattentive Delta pilot didn't help the situation but ultimately it's an operational error on the controller , not a pilot deviation. He did prevent the two from getting together and I'd imagine he had a few cocktails after work.

[@MikeDCWeld]

Joe Bloe I'd say it was a pilot deviation partially resulting from the controller error. The Delta pilot clearly knew he was on 4R, not 31C and while the callsigns were unintelligible the runway that takeoff clearance was given for was very clear. The controller should have cancelled the clearance when the readback was blocked until he could verify both pilots knew exactly what was meant to happen next. The plane on short final was landing on the parallel runway to Delta so Delta could have held for clarification without danger. The time needed to ensure a proper, clean readback from the correct plane may have meant that Southwest would need to wait on the arrival before he could takeoff safely, but that is better than risking two planes potentially colliding on takeoff roll.

[@danielrichardbond]

I can totally understand the confusion between the two callsigns, but "three one centre" sounds nothing like "four right" which should have been a clue

[@JarrydS]

Exactly. Pilots must remain situationally aware and both fo and captain should have heard very clearly 31c instead of 4r. The callsign is similar but the runways are very different.

[@bethhentges]

@@JarrydS And yet, the previous command was to cross 31, so I find it understandable the pilot “forgot “ he was on 4R.

[@TheGreenCouncil]

1st controller was speaking slow and clear. 2nd controller was trying to get all of his words out in one breath

[@hillie47]

Exactly, the first one was like "Ah, this is a great opportunity for a potential fuckup, let me pronounce everything slow and clear, for optimal understanding", but then number 2 went like "OK, let's make this a speedmumble battle".

[@JuanVanSteyvoort]

Respect to Ground Control Officer, for awareness And Total respect to all the pilots, for their immediate reaction : if they had asked confirmation, they could have crashed... A big big big LIKE for all the actors of this fabulous exemple of professional aptitude... :-) From Brussels, with Love...

[@j81851]

These videos are excellent! As a frequent flyer (Diamond with Delta for 2017, platinum past 5 years) I appreciate the skill and expertise of the pilots and ATC. Even in an error or misunderstanding like this a quick response and sharp eye from ATC saved a bunch of lives. Thanks to VASAviation for the excellent videos and the crews of the aircraft and ATC doing a difficult job very well every day!

[@VASAviation]

Thanks for the comment, John! :)

[@Dowlphin]

You should check the recordings for all your flights and see how many times you barely escaped death, haha.

[@zainhussein1975]

I think this is one of the best suitable comments for the post. The fact that ATC guys are soooo alert that it is their fast vision they see soo much in little time.

[@xinrong5074]

If Delta crew had paid attention to the runway assignment 31C for the takeoff clearance, it would have avoided the problem. But we hear what we want to hear...

[@user-vo8ss2bm3p]

These simultaneous transmissions block each other... Decades after Tenerife. And similar callsigns. What can possibly go wrong?)

[@robcohen7678]

listening to this type of stuff makes me amazed accidents dont happen multiple times a day everywhere

[@frankgrimesification]

If this scares you, try listening to some of the JFK ATC recordings out there. That will keep you off a plane for a while. Lolz!

[@Porrly]

They identified an issue right at the beginning and decided to continue to line both aircraft up simultaneously?! The minute delay would have averted this completely.

[@TheDjcarter1966]

Yeah he could have just kept one and passed the other off then waited to pass the next one a minute later

[@TMouse-hd5jb]

I have to agree with comment.

[@callsignguardian6364]

It’s midway they do this all the time, it’s just the one time they had trouble while doing it. Edit: often the safety protocols in aviation are disregarded as the industry continue to grow, not that it’s correct, but there’s not really a way around it. You heard the tower make an expedited t/o call as another aircraft is entering final. Expedited call wasn’t a thing, nor Special VFR. But they make some manoeuvre room for themselves to make things more, “efficient”, so to speak. Imagine your boss giving your group 3 projects at a time allocation of 2.25 projects, you’re gonna cut some corners...

[@cityuser]

I just want to point out that this specific circumstance gave way to this. They had a crossing landing on 4L on a 3-mile final, and another traffic landing on 4R on a 10-mile final. They want to get the Southwest out ASAP before the crossing traffic, "no delay please", and then as soon as possible after that - they want to get the Delta away in time for the 10-mile traffic. If they held the Southwest, it's possible they'd have had to wait for both the 3-mile traffic, AND the Delta, AND the 10-mile traffic. If they held the Delta, they'd have to wait for the Southwest, and quite possibly the 10-mile traffic, maybe depending on how the 4L traffic vacates. Not to mention any other aircraft on approach. It would've been safer to just keep the aircraft for a few more minutes, but in this case if Delta had followed their instructions correctly there wouldn't have been an issue - and you'd have clockwork sequencing.

[@insomnia20422]

well still could have been easily avoided by taking 5 additional seconds to call the first aircraft slowly and precisely

[@bradleysmith681]

Insane.. Controller said cleared "31C" not "4R"... Delta should have realized such.. Thanks for video!

[@k1productions87]

Absolutely. This is all the fault of the Delta pilot, without question.

[@kaikoch1135]

I can just imagine how hard the ATC has crapped his pants in that second :D

[@777pusher]

I love this stuff!!! More professional than any athlete!!

[@Piazzafan1]

I see where the controller is at fault here but Delta is at fault too. They had to know damn well they were on 4R and not 31C as the clearance was given. If i heard similar callsigns I'd be monitoring EVERYTHING and asking for confirmation before takeoff

[@AEMoreira81]

Delta likely heard just 28.

[@edgarduchesneau2725]

They should have heard 31c and known they were on 4r and based on that should have known the clearance wasn't for them

[@fingerhorn4]

Nick K agreed. All the people concerned were at fault. Yes, always ask for emphatic instructions and double check the other aircraft has not moved AND confirms he is holding. Nothing short of that is acceptable.

[@NetAndyCz]

The thing is if you expect to here something (e.g. 4R) you are more likely to hear it even if was not said. The readback is to catch mistakes like this but when they were both reading back it was impossible to catch. I would say both delta and controller were responsible for this issue. Though I am more biased against controller as he should be aware of possible issues with similar sounding callsigns and lining planes at perpendicular runways at the same time.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

Controller wasn’t at fault. This was delta’s fault. The call signs were not similiar as one is southwest and the other is delta.

[@suziewelch9876]

I'm so much in awe of airline pilots and air traffic controllers! Just looking at their screens panicks me and I want to run away!!! They really are my heroes and they're always so calm! Kudos to you all!

[@miriamsamaniego3335]

Great ATC response and authority control. The only time pilots can not obey ATC is during a TCAS warning during flight.

[@leosypher9993]

Hey, ATC workers ... Thank you, I know your job is extremely stressful, but we really appreciate what you do!

[@masromas3463]

1:05 Green plane: *deja vu*

[@butthole9580]

Take as long as you want bruh, i ain’t complaining bout no delays no more. Better late than never.

[@hexagonist23]

Better late than dead

[@frankgrimesification]

@@hexagonist23 As my dear old dad used to say, Better late than pregnant.

[@LavenderSunrise]

No news is good news for this channel I think

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

"ATC speaks fast to keep things going" Also ATC mumbles callsings and grinds the whole operation to a halt.

[@xnopyt13]

This took looking left and right before you cross to another level

[@yarvetmontejo7844]

For the same reason that the accident of the 747 of KLM and the 747 of PanAm in Los Rodeos occurred in 1977 and the majority of the passengers died, "interference in the communication, the 2 pilots spoke at the same time with the tower, there were Several factors occurred

[@mohyla91]

There were few more reasons why that crash happened. There were two planes on one runway, thick fog, exit taxiways were not marked and few more.

[@ey7290]

Also the KLM captain was impatient

[@681726]

Great illustration! My heart just skipped a beat.

[@oofbruh2607]

ive listened to a lot of ATC but this made me hold my breath for a second

[@braeeee_]

Most dreaded phrase for a pilot to hear: "Contact company"

[@planez7504]

Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?

[@someguy4915]

@@planez7504 They're gonna call their company (airline) for further steps etc. They will need to advise that this just happened, brakes might need checking and fuel might be just a tad too low for comfort after the aborted landing and subsequently standing 'stationary' on the taxi way for some time so they'll likely need to return to the gate or at least have some personnel check out the brakes etc before another take off might be attempted.

[@planez7504]

@@someguy4915 thanks so much. I'm gonna be headed off to school to be a pilot soon and I was a little dissapointed in myself for not knowing this. Thanks again for the clarification

[@ryabow]

i imagine "we've got a number for you to call..." is worse.

[@braeeee_]

@@someguy4915 just saw these replies, but glad I just did because you explained it better than I ever could have

[@AeroicaGaming]

Really like the animation to go along with the radio traffic!! That was very helpful

[@nickakers7985]

I think being able to talk clearly as an air traffic controller is more important than being able to spout out everything quickly. Half the time they're acting like these planes are breathing down each other's necks with no time to spare. Saying something as simple as the take off clearance could have been done much more clearly and with only a fraction of a second of time wasted.

[@DevSolar]

+Nick Akers I said this in a comment on a YT clip about Boston John flirting with the ladies, and some people going on about how he shouldn't be using non-standard phrases... but if anything, his articulation is among the best I've heard in any ATC clips. I don't care if he tosses in a "hasta la vista" or something like that, he makes damn sure he is *understood*, and that is what counts.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

DevSolar • and Kennedy Steve!

[@peanut2030]

Reason why so many controllers speak fast is because the amount of planes taking off from smaller airports is limited by how quickly you can get calls out, unlike bigger airports which have longer takeoff times

[@TahreyUK]

Yeah, but how much time do you then lose by having to abort the takeoff, and have both planes loop back around and taxi back to the start of their runways, AND then do it the more careful way you should have done the first time... AND then have to deal with all the paperwork, the complaints from the pilots, their passengers, other ATCs, your boss, etc...? Five extra seconds to confirm that Delta understood they were to continue holding whilst Southwest crossed in front, and another five listening to the readback, would have avoided all that.

[@thec7889]

@@TahreyUK still 99.99% of takeoffs dont get problems like this, and very few of the millions of fligths that have happend ended in actuall crashes because of this.

[@undeadnightorc]

Honestly, I don't know if it's me but when I hear these radio communications I barely understand what they are saying half the time. They talk so fast! Without reading the subtitles even I mistook 1328 with 3828 at times.

[@GT-ATC]

Are you a professional pilot?

[@notsmoothie]

Did you also mistake 31C for 4R?

[@andrewr8602]

The speech rate is typical to a controller and pilot. There's a lot of information to get out at and other tasks to get accomplished on and off frequency. We know what to expect and messages are in a standard format. With time you get an ear for it. I often know exactly what was said first pass on an atc video where it says "inaudible" because I've tuned my ear to poor sounding frequencies. Clearly the one pilot who erred, heard the call sign and runway wrong and read it back to fit what he expected to hear, which is a classic scenario on readback errors. We are trained to be cognizant of typical readback error scenarios but we'll all miss something at some point. I find it best to use carrier name at the front and back if similars are different carriers, SWA 3828 SWA, emphasizing the second SWA. To be honest, I wouldn't even consider these similar. They share the last 2 digits only and southwest and delta don't sound alike either.

[@steveszanto1581]

You get used to it, even as a GA student pilot. You learn to listen for your info and semi-tune out the other stuff. Except in this case :)

[@ShiningDarknes]

@@andrewr8602 well the thing is we don't know what the readback was since they both stepped on eachother twice.

[@user-dq6ug5jw6q]

When teacher solves examples during class: 0:10 What's actually on the test: 1:21

[@xgtiguy]

they all sounded calm & professional. good job everyone 😊

[@jwillette1413]

Funny how he is unclear and fast with everything else besides stop and 28

[@Milesco]

Talking like a goddamn cattle auctioneer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6CyiXmPm7l_fKM

[@Ricardo_Veteran]

Yes, the AC tower was speaking really fast.

[@HomebaseLHR]

You can hear the terror in the controllers voice. Luckily it all went well

[@baliharsingh2315]

God bless you ❤

[@yannlandry9242]

Two similar sounding callsign numbers, a fast talking controller, no wonder why they got confused..

[@AudioSpaceGeek]

That’s normal speed for ATC. Even if the callsigns were similar, tower was specifically clearing 31C, not 4R. Delta absolutely ignored which runway they were on.

[@tigersfan14]

2nd ATC controller did not give a clear, precise take-off clearance and was speaking too fast. Not entirely on him, but he's part of the cause.

[@tigersfan14]

During his clearance, all you hear is him saying the final 8. Either he quickly started speaking before he cued the mic or someone cut him off. He also insisted several times to not delay which is why I think the pilots immediately began their roll.

[@Peter_Riis_DK]

Agree on the too fast and muddled speech, but you hear him say "runway three one 'cenner" which should have raised suspicion with the Delta captain.

[@1daddy57]

"Tower this is Delta 1328 quit the jargon and take the hand off your nose and say again?"

[@Milesco]

And at a normal rate of speed? We're not auctioning livestock. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6CyiXmPm7l_fKM

[@sludge4125]

@@Milesco 🤪🤪🤪

[@frankunderwood1632]

Excellent video. Thank you. My God!!! It was this close from a Tenerife like disaster.

[@ladyrazorsharp]

If was that controller I would have had to take a barf break. Yikes.

[@frankunderwood1632]

I know right!!!

[@masonkj8456]

I like the way they showed what happened using the map and airplanes nice to see things like that

[@MegaMech]

After reading a comment below... I think the way the ATC cuts off the callsign is crazy! You literally only hear "28". (I am not an aeroplane professional, or enthusiast for that matter.) Though I still don't understand why radio technology can only receive one transmitter at a time. (I worked at a company that sold professional radios. (I programmed them too). After the previous ATC warned both planes about the similar call sign I would expect these pilots to double check or maybe they just didn't expect something like this to occur. The ATC realized they both called at once "You called at once". Why would he not slow down his speech and emphasize "Southwest 3828" even when he didn't cut off southwest it was incomprehensible. It's difficult to know that what you just said is incomprehensible unless ATC's monitor their own mic feed but that would be without the garbledness that a radio introduces.

[@feversol]

+MegaMech The way I was taught was to say the company name, the grouped numbers, then REPEAT the company Name. As in: Delta 1328 Delta. And, when one has aircraft with similar call signs, it just isn't smart to speak real fast. I would say the common things very fast, but SLOW DOWN for frequencies or control instructions. The effort was to STOP a pilot from asking for a repeat. Such repetition ties up the frequencies. Say something ONCE, say it slow enough to be heard but WAIT for that subtle 'click' before starting to speak. That click is the frequency coming on. I also keep seeing comments about bad frequencies. Yes, frequencies sometimes are bad. That is precisely why standard phraseology is used. Things are spoken in the same way each time.

[@feversol]

+Steve Rippe Thank you. That also brings up an additional training topic as a result of this incident. Your insight is helpful. I was a Center controller from 1976 to 1981 and ended up with a STAR headset. I believe that we could hear the audible change indicating that our mike was hot. It took some self-control to make yourself wait for the tone, but it became natural. Again, thank you for helping to understand another dynamic to this incident that most of us didn't understand.

[@MegaMech]

***** I can't believe you can mute the monitors. As an airport ATC how would you be able to confirm what you said, and what you thought you said were not two different things if you can't hear yourself? I have a couple examples below from my experience in other things where being able to hear yourself is critical. Being able to hear your words back seem like a sure way of double checking. I operate an ATC... In the sense that I pull ropes through an air traffic controller and arrest falls (Rock climbing). Before I let anyone start climbing I tipple check everything in the system. 1st check is doing stuffs. 2nd check is seeing with my eyes. Third check is by talking out loud and hearing back what I'm saying. If anything is wrong I restart the checks from the beginning. This third check may seem silly but it can actual be a catch all mistakes because your eyes are too fast! In this line of work mistakes = injury Also, as a vocalist I prefer hearing myself through the monitors because what you hear out of your mouth is a completely different sound then the sound coming back through your ears (via monitors IEM or just wedge speakers). ex. Tone, sound quality, dynamic levels, pitch, etc.

[@kazzyanddecchan733]

And then after he sounds annoyed that the Delta rolled. Although he probably didn’t have much of a way of knowing he was cut off, so to himself he was being clear.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

You worked at a radio place yet don't know how tuned circuits work? Have a Google yourself but to answer your query about multi-transmit/recieve on a single frequency, you'd need one of the features in digital radio for that such as timeslicing. Aircraft don't use any trunking or digital technology.

[@RainbowManification]

I wonder if the controller moonlights as an auctioneer, he was talking a million miles an hour.

[@boeingpilot7002]

Assuming that we're hearing the tower's complete transmissions (reference the comment by Redtail Media Productions, below, which I happen to agree with), it does sound like the controller begins talking, before his radio is actually transmitting. However, clipped transmissions, or not, in the clearance for SW 3828 the words "RUNWAY 3-1 CENTER" are unmistakably heard twice: first at 1:15; then again at 1:23. Since Delta 1328 was on RUNWAY 4-RIGHT, I believe that he should have caught the words RUNWAY 3-1 CENTER, and realized that the clearance WAS NOT for intended for him. I believe that Delta erroneously took SW's takeoff clearance due to an "expectation bias" -- which is anticipating a clearance, and not really listening to the words of the actual clearance. In any case, with multiple blocked transmissions, all parties involved should have taken no action, until a clearance "in the clear" could be verified and acknowledged. I think that the tower controller believed that he had sufficiently cleared up the ambiguity, even though there were multiple blocked transmissions by both Delta and Southwest, or else he would've & probably should've repeated it, however many times it would have taken to get a clean readback. This looks like the same "anticipation of the clearance" event that caused the terrible Tenerife accident in dense fog, back in '77 between a KLM 747 and Pan Am 747. In this case, the alertness of this tower controller saved them both from disaster.