Washington (CNN) -- An air traffic controller and his supervisor are under investigation because the controller allegedly brought his two small children into the control tower and allowed them to speak with pilots on an air traffic control frequency.
The incidents occurred on succeeding days last month at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday. Both the controller and the supervisor have been placed on paid administrative leave.
"This lapse in judgment not only violated FAA's own policies but common sense standards for professional conduct. These kinds of distractions are totally unacceptable," administrator Randy Babbitt said in the statement.
"We have an incredible team of professionals who safely control our nation's skies every single day. This kind of behavior does not reflect the true caliber of our work force."
CNN NEWS Report
While I will agree with both the FAA and NATCA (controllers union) that the actions of the controller to allow their child to speak over the radio was unprofessional, that's about all. Yes it is a violation of protocol. But unlicensed controller-trainee's speak over the radio all the time, with their instructor plugged in with them. I feel this has been blown completely out of proportion by the media. Hell, over 30 years ago, on a midnight shift in Detroit, I got the opportunity to do this; it's what got me interested in the field that became a career for me from 1979-2002. I was either seventeen or eighteen at the time, and the controller was plugged in next to me.
Lapse in judgement? sure
Degradation of safety? never
Lack of professionalism? maybe
The incidents occurred on succeeding days last month at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday. Both the controller and the supervisor have been placed on paid administrative leave.
"This lapse in judgment not only violated FAA's own policies but common sense standards for professional conduct. These kinds of distractions are totally unacceptable," administrator Randy Babbitt said in the statement.
"We have an incredible team of professionals who safely control our nation's skies every single day. This kind of behavior does not reflect the true caliber of our work force."
CNN NEWS Report
While I will agree with both the FAA and NATCA (controllers union) that the actions of the controller to allow their child to speak over the radio was unprofessional, that's about all. Yes it is a violation of protocol. But unlicensed controller-trainee's speak over the radio all the time, with their instructor plugged in with them. I feel this has been blown completely out of proportion by the media. Hell, over 30 years ago, on a midnight shift in Detroit, I got the opportunity to do this; it's what got me interested in the field that became a career for me from 1979-2002. I was either seventeen or eighteen at the time, and the controller was plugged in next to me.
Lapse in judgement? sure
Degradation of safety? never
Lack of professionalism? maybe