Nathan Young writes:

Was it just me, or was the controller excessively blase about the
Mayday call?

Being calm and collected is a lot safer than yelling and screaming.
The controller was doing his job. Additionally, the pilot said very
little that would allow ATC to do anything. ATC cannot prevent the
aircraft from icing up, and cannot control the aircraft remotely. She
called a mayday but there really wasn't anything to request from ATC.
Apparently she just wanted to talk to someone.

What would you have the controller do?

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