bird cage n. controlled air traffic space...

bird cage n. controlled air traffic space near an airport.

Indian country n. lower altitudes where private pilots fly, often in Piper aircraft with Indian names like Cherokee and Comanche.

shoot v. to send aircraft along runways. “Today we’re shooting them from runway 22 right.”

slam dunk v. when air traffic controllers keep a plane at a high altitude, which forces a steep descent on final approach. “That Continental pilot says I slam dunked him again.”

snitch patch n. automatic alarm set off by the controller’s terminal when two aircraft get closer than the prescribed safe distance. “Whose snitch patch just went off?”

swinging tin v. doing a superb job guiding aircraft (tin) through heavy traffic. “What a day! I was really swinging tin.”