Misc Child's Play at JFK Has Adults Fuming Mad

**Donger** · 03-03-2010, 04:46 PM

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...-86174177.html

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a child was allowed to direct air traffic at John F. Kennedy airport, one of the busiest airports in the country.

The FAA says a controller brought the child to work on February 17th and allowed him to talk to pilots.

"Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic," the FAA said in a statement. "This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees." The agency declined to comment beyond the statement.

Recordings from mid-February — during a weeklong winter break for many New York schoolchildren — were posted last month on a Web site for air traffic control-listening aficionados.

Updated 12:26 PM EST, Wed, Mar 3, 2010

Print Email Share Buzz up! TWITTER FACEBOOK

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a child was allowed to direct air traffic at John F. Kennedy airport, one of the busiest airports in the country.

The FAA says a controller brought the child to work on February 17th and allowed him to talk to pilots.

"Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic," the FAA said in a statement. "This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees." The agency declined to comment beyond the statement.

Recordings from mid-February — during a weeklong winter break for many New York schoolchildren — were posted last month on a Web site for air traffic control-listening aficionados.

In audio recordings captured by www.liveatc.net, the young kid could be heard clearing planes for take off and landing. At one point the child even has fun with an Air Mexico flight, saying, "Adios." (listen to the entire exchange above or here)

The adult controller accompanying the child, and the controller's supervisor have both been suspended while authorities investigate. Neither employee has been identified and the child's age has not been revealed.

Below is a transcript of an excerpt of the audio recordings as the child talks to different pilots:

Child: "171 cleared for take off."

Pilot: "Clear for take off JetBlue 171"

Child: "Let's see your Air Mexico 403 Kennedy, runway through left position and hold."

Pilot: "Going to hold Air Mexico 403."

Unknown: "This is what you get guys when the kids are out of school."

Unknown: "Wish I could bring my kid to work."

Child: "JetBlue 171 contact departure."

Unknown: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job."

Child: "03 clear for take off."

Early this morning, Dough Church with the Air Traffic Controllers' National Union released a statement saying, "We do not condone this type of behavior in any way. It is not indicative of the highest professional standards that controllers set for themselves and exceed each and every day in the advancement of aviation safety."

irishjayhawk · 03-03-2010, 04:49 PM

I don't see a problem. It was clear the kid was repeating what someone told him to say. And, if not, give the kid a job.

But seriously, if it was an every day thing, okay, it's a problem.

**ChiTown** · 03-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishjayhawk

I don't see a problem. It was clear the kid was repeating what someone told him to say. And, if not, give the kid a job.

But seriously, if it was an every day thing, okay, it's a problem.

You must not fly very much. This is just mind-numbingly stupid.

CoMoChief · 03-03-2010, 04:50 PM

Thats funny. Hell I shouldnt be saying this but my dad was a conductor for Amtrak for many years. I used to drive the trains when I was like 6 years old. Fun times. Though keeping a train a a track is MUCH easier than a flight control center.

Goldmember · 03-03-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Thats funny. Hell I shouldnt be saying this but my dad was a conductor for Amtrak for many years. I used to drive the trains when I was like 6 years old. Fun times. Though keeping a train a a track is MUCH easier than a flight control center.

Good thing he didn't let you text message while you were driving the train.

kstater · 03-03-2010, 04:50 PM

Don't see any way that person doesn't get fired for that.

keg in kc · 03-03-2010, 04:53 PM

**Donger** · 03-03-2010, 04:55 PM

FWIW, it sounds like the kid was directing traffic on the ground, not in the air.

Swanman · 03-03-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

FWIW, it sounds like the kid was directing traffic on the ground, not in the air.

I heard the sound clip, and the kid actually sounded like he knew what he was doing. Obviously Daddy was feeding him lines but for a 6 year old, he was good.

The only problem I would have is that I think there is a regulation about having children in the tower as they could be distracting to other air traffic personnel. But other than that, much ado about nothing. People in this country get outraged over anything these days. As a populace, we have become a big group of snivveling worms.

Thig Lyfe · 03-03-2010, 05:01 PM

Probably not a bright idea, but the pilots seemed okay with it, so who gives a ****? I don't really see what the worst-case scenario for this is.

**Rain Man** · 03-03-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportsRacer

Probably not a bright idea, but the pilots seemed okay with it, so who gives a ****? I don't really see what the worst-case scenario for this is.

Yeah, I don't see what could possibly go wrong.

Pablo · 03-03-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, I don't see what could possibly go wrong.

Those folks would probably be comforted knowing their last dying breaths were drawn so a future air-traffic controller could learn his craft at the tender age of 6.

Thig Lyfe · 03-03-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, I don't see what could possibly go wrong.

You really think letting the kid say "prepare for takeoff" a coupe of times is going to end up with that? Give me a ****ing break.

He wasn't actually controlling anything. He was being fed extremely basic lines and simply said them. Anything more complicated than that was still handled by the dad.

He shouldn't have done it for the sake of keeping his job, but I struggle to see anything legitimately wrong or dangerous about this.

**Rain Man** · 03-03-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportsRacer

You really think letting the kid say "prepare for takeoff" a coupe of times is going to end up with that? Give me a ****ing break.

He wasn't actually controlling anything. He was being fed extremely basic lines and simply said them. Anything more complicated than that was still handled by the dad.

He shouldn't have done it for the sake of keeping his job, but I struggle to see anything legitimately wrong or dangerous about this.

Yeah, the odds are low, but I had no idea what the kid was talking about in the second line, and I doubt he did, either: "Let's see your Air Mexico 403 Kennedy, runway through left position and hold." I'd rather them gamble with their own lives than mine, even if the odds are low. No reason to let a kid get on the microphone at one of the most congested air spaces in the world. What if the kid decided to yell, "Terrorists! Land all your planes right now!" Kids do that kind of stuff sometimes.

**Easy 6** · 03-03-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportsRacer

He wasn't actually controlling anything. He was being fed extremely basic lines and simply said them. Anything more complicated than that was still handled by the dad.

He shouldn't have done it for the sake of keeping his job, but I struggle to see anything legitimately wrong or dangerous about this.

This.

I think the initial furor will die out & these guys keep their jobs.

03-03-2010, 04:46 PM	Topic Starter
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6849900 VARSITY	Child's Play at JFK Has Adults Fuming Mad http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...-86174177.html The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a child was allowed to direct air traffic at John F. Kennedy airport, one of the busiest airports in the country. The FAA says a controller brought the child to work on February 17th and allowed him to talk to pilots. "Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic," the FAA said in a statement. "This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees." The agency declined to comment beyond the statement. Recordings from mid-February — during a weeklong winter break for many New York schoolchildren — were posted last month on a Web site for air traffic control-listening aficionados. Updated 12:26 PM EST, Wed, Mar 3, 2010 Print Email Share Buzz up! TWITTER FACEBOOK The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a child was allowed to direct air traffic at John F. Kennedy airport, one of the busiest airports in the country. The FAA says a controller brought the child to work on February 17th and allowed him to talk to pilots. "Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic," the FAA said in a statement. "This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees." The agency declined to comment beyond the statement. Recordings from mid-February — during a weeklong winter break for many New York schoolchildren — were posted last month on a Web site for air traffic control-listening aficionados. In audio recordings captured by www.liveatc.net, the young kid could be heard clearing planes for take off and landing. At one point the child even has fun with an Air Mexico flight, saying, "Adios." (listen to the entire exchange above or here) The adult controller accompanying the child, and the controller's supervisor have both been suspended while authorities investigate. Neither employee has been identified and the child's age has not been revealed. Below is a transcript of an excerpt of the audio recordings as the child talks to different pilots: Child: "171 cleared for take off." Pilot: "Clear for take off JetBlue 171" Child: "Let's see your Air Mexico 403 Kennedy, runway through left position and hold." Pilot: "Going to hold Air Mexico 403." Unknown: "This is what you get guys when the kids are out of school." Unknown: "Wish I could bring my kid to work." Child: "JetBlue 171 contact departure." Unknown: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job." Child: "03 clear for take off." Early this morning, Dough Church with the Air Traffic Controllers' National Union released a statement saying, "We do not condone this type of behavior in any way. It is not indicative of the highest professional standards that controllers set for themselves and exceed each and every day in the advancement of aviation safety."
Posts: 191,037

03-03-2010, 04:49 PM	#2
irishjayhawk Feelin' Alright Join Date: Aug 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	I don't see a problem. It was clear the kid was repeating what someone told him to say. And, if not, give the kid a job. But seriously, if it was an every day thing, okay, it's a problem. __________________ "Think about how stupid the average person is. Then remember that half the people in the world are stupider than that." --George Carlin
Posts: 16,887

03-03-2010, 04:50 PM	#4
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7672254	Thats funny. Hell I shouldnt be saying this but my dad was a conductor for Amtrak for many years. I used to drive the trains when I was like 6 years old. Fun times. Though keeping a train a a track is MUCH easier than a flight control center.
Posts: 39,245

03-03-2010, 04:50 PM	#6
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $-1603437	Don't see any way that person doesn't get fired for that.
Posts: 40,006

03-03-2010, 04:53 PM	#7
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	WTF
Posts: 58,682

03-03-2010, 04:55 PM	#8
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6849900 VARSITY	FWIW, it sounds like the kid was directing traffic on the ground, not in the air. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 191,037

03-03-2010, 05:01 PM	#10
Thig Lyfe Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Thigpen's America Casino cash: $10004900	Probably not a bright idea, but the pilots seemed okay with it, so who gives a ****? I don't really see what the worst-case scenario for this is.
Posts: 25,680