Sometime last year I came across Captain Steeeve on Facebook. He is a former naval aviator and airline pilot, and I enjoy watching and listening to his analysis of aircraft incidents and accidents. Why? Because I teach leadership and decision-making under stressful conditions and he has quite a bit that apply to both.
Captain Steeeve’s description for his July 22, 2026, post read, “Pilot Refuses ATC Number After Dust Up With Tower!” In this story, a pilot flying a private jet was approaching Zamperini Field in Torrance, California, which is only eight air miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The audio begins with the pilot requesting from air traffic control (ATC) a “wide approach” to the airport. I do not know what that means and neither did Captain Steeeve. As the particulars unfold, the pilot begins to make demands from the air traffic controller. Throughout this entire incident the controller maintained incredible poise and discipline despite the pilot’s demeaning, high and mighty attitude towards her. Even when the pilot told the controller that if she did not comply with his demands, he was going to declare an emergency. That is when he said, “You have sixty-seconds to make a decision!”
At one point, the pilot’s unreasonable demands created a situation where Torrance ATC was coordinating the aircraft movement with the controllers at LAX. This incident escalated to the point that all departures from LAX stopped until the private jet left LAX airspace and landed. All departures stopped because of one, arrogant, demanding, selfish individual who thought he was the king of the air.
Once on the ground, Torrance ATC attempted to give the pilot a phone number so they could speak with him, but he would not acknowledge their radio traffic. ATC then requested someone from airfield operations to make personal contact with the pilot to give him the phone number. This was done and the pilot refused.
I do not know what happened after that, but what I do know is this: that pilot is the epitome of selfishness, pride, arrogance, and egotism. I can think of a few other words to describe him as well and I hope the FAA hands out some discipline to that guy.
Simply put, do not be like that pilot. We should strive to be the opposite of his behavior, and we should endeavor to treat people who serve us, like the air traffic controller who was serving him, with respect.
