"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
...

My point is that ATC did get him on the ground safely. If
ATC had granted the pilot's request for 17 and it had taken
longer to clear the airspace and get him on the ground, ATC
would still be blamed.


If ATC had granted the pilot's request for runway 17 it would have taken
less time to get him on the ground, not more. That's why he wanted runway
17.