Air Traffic Controllers Prefer Springsteen And Sting Over George Michael

This is the kind of story that makes you wonder about how things operate behind the scenes. I also admit I was a bit amused by this story, and hope the same can be said for my readers. At least the ones who do not consider themselves George Michael fans.

As George Michael’s private jet waited for clearance to take off from New Jersey’s Teterboro airport this past Sunday, word came down from controllers that the singing star would not be able to depart on time. After an hour’s delay, Michael’s jet was finally cleared to take off. If he didn’t know what the cause of the delay was at the time, you can be certain he knows now.

It seems that both Sting, frontman for the recently-reunited group The Police, and Bruce Springsteen were also waiting for clearance to depart in their private jets from the very same airport at the very same time.

After dealing first with a weather delay, Michael’s flight to Boston was further delayed two more times when both Sting and Springsteen were cleared to depart ahead of him.

Do you suppose it was Springsteen’s hometown status that gave him priority over Michael? Perhaps it was the fact that he is often called "The Boss," and controllers did not want to mess with the guy who has earned such a moniker.

Considering the fact that Sting’s jet was permitted to depart first — even before hometown boy Bruce — makes me wonder if some key airport controller is a big fan.

It was reported that Michael made it to his show in Boston without a minute to spare, and now has to live down the embarrassment of losing an airport face-off with Sting and Springsteen.

I wonder what the odds are that controllers are rocking to the sounds of "Roxanne" and "Born In The USA" up in that control tower?

This story surfaced on the New York Post’s infamous Page Six.

Tags: Airport, Boston, Bruce Springsteen, Delay, George Michael, Sting, Teterboro