There has been a lot of debate about using visual separation between VFR aircraft, and if it really is necessary.  I believe it is, and here’s why: If separation minima exist for the separation of VFR aircraft, such as between a VFR and IFR aircraft (both under radar identification) in class B, C, D or E airspace, then those VFR aircraft aren’t going to be able to meet those minima themselves.  Simply issuing the traffic doesn’t absolve the controller of the separation minima . . . so to place the …

Actually, there will be three short-stories here about pilots not understanding the instruction they had been given.  These are not meant to be a bash on pilots (God knows I’ve mis-heard pilots before), but for the sake of this posting, and a little thing called “CYA” (cover your a–!), I’m going to talk about how three pilots did something they shouldn’t have.
The first scenario took place during a small departure rush, and I was alone in the tower working both local and ground control.  A regional jet was taxiing to …