Taking kids to work air traffics controllers

[Luv Bunnies]

It was very bad judgment to let a kid give directions to pilots whether they were on the ground or not. If the controller had permission from his superiors to have his kid talk on the radio or even be in his workplace, that would be a different story. But that didn't seem to be the case. He made up his own rules and now he's being called on it.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Hubby is 20 year air traffic controller. Kids have always been allowed in the tower and in route centers. He has seen this happen many times with kids. Never anything serious but during slow times they would tell the kids what to say. The pilots loved it. Per hubby."Give the professional some credit to know when it is dangerous and busy, this was not done at any of those times"

I agree with this, as does DH who has been a commercial pilot for 12 years. He said he thought it was cute and wished he could bring our kids to work with him

I think the FAA is making a big deal out of it because the media is.

 

[Tony-NJ]

he media is definitely blowing this out of proportion. The father was plugged in the whole time - not a big deal. Now there will be a written rule - no kids allowed. No harm done.

 

[wilderness01]

Hubby is 20 year air traffic controller. Kids have always been allowed in the tower and in route centers. He has seen this happen many times with kids. Never anything serious but during slow times they would tell the kids what to say. The pilots loved it. Per hubby."Give the professional some credit to know when it is dangerous and busy, this was not done at any of those times"

No kids at my husband's in route center since 9-11.

Perhaps the FAA is making a "big" deal out of this since the controllers are semi back to the old "green book."

 

[suejai]

I'm not saying what the controller did was the smartest thing to do, but he was telling his son exactly what to say. He, the father, was plugged into the console and was still in control of what was going on. The son only cleared aircraft to takeoff and then cleared those same aircraft to switch frequencies over to the departure frequency. He was not giving taxi instructions. As a pilot myself, I thought it was neat and would have laughed if I was piloting one of the planes he cleared for takeoff. Most of the pilots I know and the forums I've read about this event have no problem with what happened. It's the media that is blowing this out of perportion. People just need to relax and not be so uptight.

When was the last time you brought your kids to work and let them do some of the things you do?

Like I said, it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but nobody got hurt or was put in jeopardy. Listening to the tranmissions, the kids did a good job.

My thoughts exactly (except the part about being a pilot )

It seemed to me the pilots themselves got a kick out of it and were chuckling. I'm sure the dad was in complete control the whole time.

 

[mhsjax]

It was very bad judgment to let a kid give directions to pilots whether they were on the ground or not. If the controller had permission from his superiors to have his kid talk on the radio or even be in his workplace, that would be a different story. But that didn't seem to be the case. He made up his own rules and now he's being called on it.

All visitors have to be approved including church groups of 80 year olds that hubby has et talk on the radio. If someone is in the building, they have been approved. there is strict security to get in the bulding and if someone is in there then they HAVE been approved.

 

[mhsjax]

No kids at my husband's in route center since 9-11.

Perhaps the FAA is making a "big" deal out of this since the controllers are semi back to the old "green book."

A good point.
I guess it depends on the center, my hubbies has but no near as many, infact we took our kids to the Orlando tower about 1.5 year ago.

 

[wilderness01]

A good point.
I guess it depends on the center, my hubbies has but no near as many, infact we took our kids to the Orlando tower about 1.5 year ago.

He can't even get our own kids in there. Maybe it depends on the level of the building as far as "busyness" goes and also on the chief.

 

[mhsjax]

He can't even get our own kids in there. Maybe it depends on the level of the building as far as "busyness" goes and also on the chief.

So true, and I guess you and I know alot more than we are allowed to talk about .

 

[Heidict]

I think they are blowing this way out of proportion. The planes were on the ground and there was no danger. I really don't think this kids father was going to let him handle a plane that was coming in for a landing or was in trouble.

 

[mousey]

Definately blown out of proportion. I remember years ago they use to celebrate "take your child to work day" at the hospital that I was affiliated with allowed the children to come in for the day and had special activities and meals planned for the kids. There were restrictions, and they couldn't do surgery, but they let them dress up like surgeons. It was a fun day for all.

 

[Jennabeth]

It was very bad judgment to let a kid give directions to pilots whether they were on the ground or not. If the controller had permission from his superiors to have his kid talk on the radio or even be in his workplace, that would be a different story. But that didn't seem to be the case. He made up his own rules and now he's being called on it.

He did have permission, his supervisor is also on leave.

I think this whole thing is ridiculous. We need to lighten up. The pilots seemed to enjoy it, the kids will remember it for life (even more now), and no one was ever in any danger. Even a pilot was on the Today show saying he let his kid sit in the cockpit and talk to air traffic control.

 

[legalsea]

I couldn't help but think of one of my favorite "Arrested Development" episodes that concerned "Take your Daughter to Work Day". Scenes included a young girl helping her father out at the prison (she slammed a baton on the table between Michael and his father screaming "No Touching!").

At the end Michael sighed, "I hate take your daughter to work day".

Otherwise, I also think blown out of proportion. I certainly do not wish to see them lose their jobs.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

It doesn't even bother me a little bit. They were actually being pilots, they just spoke over the PA system. No biggie. Though it may have been smarter to mention: "Hey, my kid is here with me along with the co-pilot. He would like to say something..."

 

[npmommie]

Okay, finally tracked down an article about it. Suspending a man with 20 years of experience for this. Over-reaction? I think so...

I agree, big over reaction to this


the pilots sounded like they were having fun with it.
I think the media made it out to be something it wasn't they encouraged the outrage.

I say it's no big deal.


Does anyone know the part of the story as to why he brought the kids to work? I heard it was school vacation, was the mom at work? what was the situation?

 

[wvjules]

I saw an initial story on it but haven't heard much else so I can't say whether its been blown out of proporiton or not. HOWEVER, if I were on one of those flights and found out a kid gave the directions (supervised or not) I would be FURIOUS! It was a stupid thing to do and there should be a price to pay. Maybe not fired but atleast suspended. His judgement needs to be evaluated.

 

[blanq]

I guess I might be in the minority around here, as I do not think that this has been blown out of proportion. Air Traffic Controllers are very quick to remind the rest of the world just how stressful their jobs are. If that is the case, why in the world would a child be allowed into the tower? Children would be a distraction, plain and simple.

I work in county goverment. We are not allowed to bring our children to work, ever. Mainly because of data practices issues. I agree with the policy.

 

[focusondisney]

I guess I might be in the minority around here, as I do not think that this has been blown out of proportion. Air Traffic Controllers are very quick to remind the rest of the world just how stressful their jobs are. If that is the case, why in the world would a child be allowed into the tower? Children would be a distraction, plain and simple.

I work in county goverment. We are not allowed to bring our children to work, ever. Mainly because of data practices issues. I agree with the policy.

I'm totally with you on this! Emergencies can happen in airplanes at any moment. Last year a commercial plane crashed here in Western New York that killed 50 people! The controllers had their hands full trying to find out what suddenly happened to one of their planes & direct traffic at the same time.

I'm just as upset to think that that controller apparently had brought the child for the whole shift, not even just a limited visit. How is he supposed to concentrate if an emergency occured & watch his 7 year old at the same time? Because we all know 7 year olds can't just fend for themselves for 8 hours at a time.

And by the way, the plane crash last year is being blamed on pilot inexperience & cockpit DISTRACTION! And cockpit distraction is blamed for the 2 pilots who overshot their destination last summer, too.


I for one want EVERYONE involved in flying & controlling aircraft giving it their FULL attention. Think about the consequences.....



Edit: Our local news reporting an emergency landing in Buffalo today due to a fire on board a plane flying from Rochester to (?) Chicago, I think. Plane was not coming to Buffalo but needed to make an emergency landing here. Just proving my point, Air traffic control can never predict when an emergency can come up & must be prepared at all times.