All right, who let their kids into the ATC cab?

[thewinchester]

Caught this first on No News, but as I'd rather read this from someone with better reporting standards I'll let NYC Aviation take up the story:

Little Kid Takes Over JFK Control Tower
March 3rd, 2010, NYC Aviation By Matt Molnar

The FAA says it has benched an undisclosed number of air traffic controllers from their regular duties as they investigate an incident in which a young boy is heard giving instructions to departing aircraft from the JFK Airport control tower. According to a recording found on the air traffic control database at LiveATC.net, the incident happened on February 17th.

At one point during the course of the child’s five transmissions, an adult male voice in the tower explains the situation to local air traffic: “This is what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school.”

Story continues, also includes audio recording of the incident.

Seriously, ATC people have to go through have a lifetime's worth of training - letting some little kid do this job with no training and experience is just a disaster waiting to happen. The controllers in question deserve everything that's coming to them.

 

[samh004]

I’m gonna go listen to the audio, but if the parent was telling the child what to say, not exactly the end of the world. If the child had no help, then it would be pretty serious.

And I’m sure, had there been an actual issue, the parent would have immediately stepped in to give instructions.

Edit: Watched the youtube video and audio, but that’s a different incident, where’s the audio from this? I couldn’t see it.

 

[harvyk]

Me thinks that a parent was standing there ready to step in if something went wrong. Furthermore I doubt the kids was doing anything more than relaying messages between their parent and the pilot.

Serious? Yes

Life endangering? probably not

BTW thanks for finding the story somewhere else other than nonews.

 

[markis10]

Seriously, ATC people have to go through have a lifetime's worth of training - letting some little kid do this job with no training and experience is just a disaster waiting to happen. The controllers in question deserve everything that's coming to them.

Talking on the radio is not an Air Traffic Controllers job, applying separation standards and good judgement is, and you can bet your bottom dollar that was being done by more than one adult in that tower rather than the person on the radio. Thats a little bit different to letting your offspring fly a commercial airliner killing all onboard, and deserves no more than a dressing down IMHO as an ex controller.

 

[medhead]

Talking on the radio is not an Air Traffic Controllers job, applying separation standards and good judgement is, and you can bet your bottom dollar that was being done by more than one adult in that tower rather than the person on the radio. Thats a little bit different to letting your offspring fly a commercial airliner killing all onboard, and deserves no more than a dressing down IMHO as an ex controller.

Exactly.

Had an example of this at work this week where a qualified specialist has done all the work to make sure a treatment is all good. But an unqualified specialist in another area actually administers the treatment. Just following instructions. Similarly the kid is able to follow instruction, use a radio and speak.

 

[samh004]

The audio is on the Fox Boston site, along with a poll where 41% of respondents thought the parent should be fired, 35% said it was harmless and 23% said he should be suspended.

The pilots all seemed to get a kick out of it though. I think a reprimand wouldn’t be out of the question, but there was no harm, so stupid that anyone could make a fuss over that. Then again, it is America.

Even though the ATC union seemingly condemned it, I’d love to see the ATC’s strike if the guy got fired, it hardly warrants it. Anyone with half a brain could figure that out.

 

[Travel Guru]

I actually did work experience as a 14yo whilst at school in Adelaide in the ADL control tower for a day, was allowed to give landing clearance to several flights, mainly TAA & Ansett flight (this is back in 1989), was super cool...no better feeling as a 14yo than seeing a plane land that you just gave clearance too....loved my teacher after that for scoring me that for work experience.

TG

 

[QF WP]

I heard it on Channel 7's Morning show yesterday morning. Agree with most of the comments already expressed.

 

[Mal]

It's now been revealed that the Air Controller also let his daughter have a go the next day. Both him and his supervisor are now suspended with pay pending an investigation.

Air controller let son, daughter direct plane traffic - NYPOST.com

 

[QF WP]

Amazing some of the comments to thr story...some people just don't get it

 

[samh004]

Amazing some of the comments to thr story...some people just don't get it

I think some people actually thought the children were “controlling” the traffic. Really just goes to show how informed the population is…