you're number 2...

[ATC_av8er]

It's important to listen to all ATC calls especially near an airport. Controllers can and do make mistakes, they still drive home at the end of their shift. I am not bashing controllers, they do a great job 99.995% of the time, but as PIC you need to be aware of the other traffic and it's relative position to you and the airport.

As ATC and now a student pilot, I have quickly learned pilots and controllers should never simply blindly trust each other.

 

[jordane93]

As ATC and now a student pilot, I have quickly learned pilots and controllers should never simply blindly trust each other.

Yep. I always make it a point to teach my students that it isn't enough to just hear what ATC said. You have to hear and UNDERSTAND what ATC says and not blindly read back.