Peter R. wrote:

Also, it's safe to say that a percentage of time the controller is
asking these questions to prod the pilot to get back on the course
and/or altitude that the controller last assigned. :-)


Peter,

I think this was more of the case before GPS/INS/IRS. Since these forms
of navigation have become "mainstay" in the system, I hear of a lot
fewer pilots wondering off course...unless they have programed such aids
improperly. Unfortunately, it still happens. :-(

BJ