“Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic. This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees.”
Federal Aviation Administration Statement
You’ve probably heard the story. On two separate days in February, children issued departure instructions to several flights at JFK International Airport. A portion of the transcripts:
Boy: AMX 403, Contact departures. Adios.
Pilot: Contact departures. Aeromexico 403. Adios.
Another transmission from the tape:
Boy: Jet Blue 171 cleared for takeoff.
Pilot: Cleared for takeoff. Jet blue 171.
Boy: Jet Blue 171 — contact departures.
Pilot: Over to departures. Jet blue 171. Awesome job. (chuckle)
"Big Bird 277, climb and maintain 3000. Contact departure"
The FAA, an agency that already has done much about which it should be greatly embarrassed is once again in the public light when an air traffic controller brings a couple of his kids to work and lets them issue instructions to departing aircraft.
As a safety issue this was such a low-risk proposition that it would defy analysis. The pilots were advised they would receive instructions from a child, the instructions issued by the child were correct, and since the instructions were completely routine, they were exactly what the pilots expected to hear.
No lives were placed in jeopardy but the careers of an air traffic controller and his supervisor definitely were. They have been suspended “pending an investigation” and even their union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is reluctant to provide them with any backup.
Jolly good. Air traffic controllers would lead you to believe they have some of the most difficult, stressful jobs in the world and that human lives hang on their every decision.
The truth is that, while air traffic control is a job that most people couldn’t do, for those who have the right qualifications, it’s pretty easy work. It requires knowledge, diligence, and concentration but it is not, as they say, rocket science.
Air traffic controllers are grossly overpaid, most earning in the high 5 or low 6 figures. During an 8 1/2 hour shift, they typically are “on position” (actually directing the flow of aircraft) for 3-4 hours. They take breaks, occasionally doing training or certification, but spend most of their time in the lounge watching satellite TV.
Their jobs are sort of like playing a video game that is not as complex as the ones played by a lot of teenage boys.
Write this one off to some otherwise bright individuals acting stupidly. The controller and his supervisor could have retired at 55 with a generous pension and medical benefits. Now, they’re going to have to compete in a job market where their skills and experience won’t transfer to much else.
This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:00 PM and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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“Adios”
You’ve probably heard the story. On two separate days in February, children issued departure instructions to several flights at JFK International Airport. A portion of the transcripts:
Boy: AMX 403, Contact departures. Adios.
Pilot: Contact departures. Aeromexico 403. Adios.
Another transmission from the tape:
Boy: Jet Blue 171 cleared for takeoff.
Pilot: Cleared for takeoff. Jet blue 171.
Boy: Jet Blue 171 — contact departures.
Pilot: Over to departures. Jet blue 171. Awesome job. (chuckle)
"Big Bird 277, climb and maintain 3000. Contact departure"
The FAA, an agency that already has done much about which it should be greatly embarrassed is once again in the public light when an air traffic controller brings a couple of his kids to work and lets them issue instructions to departing aircraft.
As a safety issue this was such a low-risk proposition that it would defy analysis. The pilots were advised they would receive instructions from a child, the instructions issued by the child were correct, and since the instructions were completely routine, they were exactly what the pilots expected to hear.
No lives were placed in jeopardy but the careers of an air traffic controller and his supervisor definitely were. They have been suspended “pending an investigation” and even their union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is reluctant to provide them with any backup.
Jolly good. Air traffic controllers would lead you to believe they have some of the most difficult, stressful jobs in the world and that human lives hang on their every decision.
The truth is that, while air traffic control is a job that most people couldn’t do, for those who have the right qualifications, it’s pretty easy work. It requires knowledge, diligence, and concentration but it is not, as they say, rocket science.
Air traffic controllers are grossly overpaid, most earning in the high 5 or low 6 figures. During an 8 1/2 hour shift, they typically are “on position” (actually directing the flow of aircraft) for 3-4 hours. They take breaks, occasionally doing training or certification, but spend most of their time in the lounge watching satellite TV.
Their jobs are sort of like playing a video game that is not as complex as the ones played by a lot of teenage boys.
Write this one off to some otherwise bright individuals acting stupidly. The controller and his supervisor could have retired at 55 with a generous pension and medical benefits. Now, they’re going to have to compete in a job market where their skills and experience won’t transfer to much else.
As the kid says, “Adios ,guys.”
Like this:
This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:00 PM and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.