Can you decline a Land and Hold Short Clearance from ATC?

The correct understanding here is that once you receive a Land and Hold Short (LAHSO) clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC), you are expected to comply with it unless you have a valid reason not to. This is because LAHSO is a procedure designed to enhance airport efficiency by allowing aircraft to land while holding short of an intersecting runway or taxiway. Although you can communicate concerns or limitations to ATC, the clearance itself is an order that assumes you are capable of complying with the requirement to hold short of a specified point, unless otherwise stated.

In practice, if a pilot declines a LAHSO clearance, it could disrupt the flow of traffic as this procedure is coordinated with other arriving or departing aircraft. Therefore, it is crucial for pilots to ensure they are prepared to accept LAHSO conditions before accepting the clearance. Declining the clearance does not typically align with standard operating procedures unless there are legitimate safety concerns, such as aircraft performance issues or other operational limitations that would make holding short unsafe.

In summary, the rationale behind the idea that you do not have the option to decline a LAHSO clearance reinforces the importance of understanding the implications of such clearances and being prepared to accept them when conditions allow.