"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...

It's bizarre that he should even ask this, but don't let it get to you.
The only thing I can think of is he suspects you're in some kind of
trouble and is trying to figure out if he should handle you as an
emergency. Tell him something that'll make him happy, and get on with
flying the airplane. Tell him you're diverting due to weather. Declare
minimum fuel if you think it'll make a difference. If he's not taking
the hint, just tell him straight out what you need, "Request clearance
to Podunk Municipal and vectors to the ILS". If he's still not taking
the hint, request immediate clearance.


I wouldn't tell him anything that isn't true. A few years ago a light twin
being vectored for sequencing at ORD declared minimum fuel and was given
priority handling, several aircraft were vectored out of his way. He was on
the ground briefly and departed again. Some supervisor type thought it a
little too briefly and phoned the FBO to see if he bought fuel. He hadn't.
As I recall, he said he declared minimum fuel because if he didn't land at
ORD soon he wouldn't be able to reach his next destination without buying
fuel. I don't know how it all shook out but he definitely abused the
system.