JFK ATC - Oh my!!

[Darren Wheeler]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8547875.stm

Someone will be for severe kicking and no mistake...

That's seriously out of order.

ATC is a ridiculously responsible job. If what happened is as true as the story says, then that's 'endangering people's lives' and the appropriate sequelae..

[Scrooge]

Well while I agree with the above and yes the you know what should hit the fan (but won't) the kid did do a pretty good job.

I think the next time his Dad takes him to work he might get to ask,

'Do you want fries with that?'

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by DocRo
I think the next time his Dad takes him to work he might get to ask,

'Do you want fries with that?'




Yep, even his union has said it was wrong.

However, being a federal employee means probably a suspension and a change of venues.

Whilst I in no way condone this behaviour - it was ill advised at best. I don't believe anyone was putting lives at risk.
The kid was a mouthpiece for an ATC standing right there and was not giving critical information such as change in height or heading. Any mistake would have been corrected immedietaly. Yes someone should get a kick up the backside but let's not go too overboard.

FM

I bet the kid thought it was a great week with Dad. However, it's doesn't excuse the stupidity of the parent.

quote:Originally posted by FamilyMan
Whilst I in no way condone this behaviour - it was ill advised at best. I don't believe anyone was putting lives at risk.
The kid was a mouthpiece for an ATC standing right there and was not giving critical information such as change in height or heading. Any mistake would have been corrected immedietaly. Yes someone should get a kick up the backside but let's not go too overboard.

FM


I think that maybe true, but equally there are lots of 'what if' situations and then maybe your statement might not be so true.

I think it's utterly stupid and ill conceived of the ATC staff to let this happen. Heads should roll. But instead people seem to think it's some kind of funny story!

While I do not condone the events in the JFK tower, it is important to understand their full context.

The recording that has been released by the media has vital sections missing.
The sections where the ATCO arranges the calls with the pilots!
They knew what was happening and cooperated in a workday with a parent experience.

There were no critical calls involved - nothing in-flight or navigational.
The highly experienced ATCO was on a shared headset - his son was simply repeating his instructions - and very clearly!
This happens with unlicensed ATC controllers regularly in the US - it's their normal training.
If there were any risk arising, two things would happened - the pilot would have requested a readback - the licensed ATCO would have corrected the call - as happens in normal monitored training [;)]

Unfortunately an edited version of the ATC tape was released to the media. The unedited version was available to members of LiveATC.

That said, it was against the rules!

[Scrooge]

Bill, while I agree with you, the simple fact is, an unauthorized person was giving clearance to aircraft, throw in the fact that it was a minor and while the kid did do a good job, there can only really be one result from this.

The fact that the pilots even accepted the instructions is kind of surprising as well.

Edit : I found the entire conversation HERE where you can hear the controller making the majority of the calls.

If you wear the anorak with pride, you will recognize the voice as there have been many funny JFK ATC recording of him posted.

Dave, you may be thinking of 'John T'. I think this was another ATCO.
Unfortunately I'm not sure that non-members of LiveATC can listen to the forum links - but membership is free [;)]

Now that would be something for New Site - when you select a current VS flight, a link to the relevant ATC....[:w]

edit: not able to link to an actual call - illegal ';' in the link!