Two pilots were preparing to depart from Washington Dulles International Airport when one of them recognized the other’s voice.
“Pops?” a pilot is heard saying in an air traffic control exchange on Sept. 1 that was shared on United Airlines’ Instagram account.
The father and daughter, both United pilots, were on the runway and departing on separate flights.
Her father was piloting United Flight 108 as she was preparing to depart as the pilot of CommuteAir Flight 4977, a regional operator for United Express.
The father recognized her voice immediately.
“Hello! Where are you at?” he says.
“About to depart one-right. Safe travels,” she says, to which he responds “bye, bye.”
Air traffic control then chimes in, asking if the father is a “proud papa” of his pilot daughter. “Sort of,” he quips.
Asked if she still lives at home, the father said “no,” but noted she’s still on the family cell phone plan.
“She’s not allowed off the cell phone plan until she gets married,” air traffic control said.
And according to the daughter, she may have that perk for a while more as she declared she’s “still single” before the exchange ended.
