The German controllers at Frankfurt Airport were often
short-tempered. They not only expected you to know your parking
location but how to get there without any assistance from them. So
it was with some amusement that we (PanAm 747) listened to the
following exchange between Frankfurt ground and a British Airways
747 (radio call Speedbird 206) after landing.
Speedbird 206: "Good morning Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of the
active."
Ground: "Guten morgan, taxi to your gate."
The British Airways 747 pulls onto the main taxiway and
stops.
Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by, ground, I'm looking up the gate location
now."
Ground (with typical German impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you
never flown to Frankfurt before?"
Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, in 1944. But I didn't stop."
