No offense, but this topic is being wayyyyyyyy blown out of proportion. And most of the one eyes around the shop could really give a shit. If a guy is having a problem its fairly easy to detect. Stevie Wonder on the approach / ball at night or a radio call saying I have X, Y or Z problem. Its not going to be a surprise if the guy is no hud, single engine, Gain Oride etc.. Also if its a shitty night with storms the baots moving, sandstorm etc then any paddles with half a brain is going to realize the suck factor is higher and a guys gonna be more amped. You really need to hear it in his voice. And if a guy is having one of those nights and cant get aboard then I really doubt it matters who is calling the ball because everyone on the boat knows about it (scary vision) and paddles is gonna be talkin to the pilot (other than the ball call) anyway. Also if there are snakes in the plane then paddles will get the I'm scared voice from the WSO. Have we had anything bad happen because a WSO called the ball instead of the pilot? And I dont mean stupid calls because pilots can say stupid shit just like a WSO. Like calling the ball when the fuckin lense isnt even on (by a pilot 0-5 type). Our community is doing its best to make WSO's useless these days. Taking the ball call away is just the the tip of the iceberg. How bout talking about who runs the radar, etc... Anyway ramble over. Oh yeah London rocks. This has been a hell of a week in England. Liver failing as we speak. And I'm out.
(But tell my wife that.)