Child in JFK Tower

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/03/faa_blasts_kid_in_the_jfk_airp.html

I guess someone decided it was "Bring your kids to work day" at New York's JFK control tower. I'm sure this guy will get hung out to dry for letting his kid talk on the radio. But, for those of you who are worrying about the safety risks associated here, breathe easy. I can pretty much tell you there was no issue with that. And, as you can guess, I shall explain why!

First off, it's not a breach of security or protocol to bring a member of the family to an ATC facility. Having visited a major ATC facility last year, it was confirmed that with approval from their managers, controllers bring in family on a halfway regular basis. They are escorted at all times. All persons entering major ATC facilities must pass through security checkpoints with metal detectors, much like those at commercial airports.

Second, I'm pretty sure this child (we don't know the age yet) wasn't just plugged into a panel and left alone. When reporters say "This child was directing air traffic" I cringe. No, I'm sure he wasn't making his own decisions. I'm thinking the parent was right there and feeding the kid some lines to say. No, this isn't "professional" and that's why it's making such big news. I'm sure this kind of thing happens all the time at small towers. This being JFK... yeah. Not so cool. And, the kid said "Adios," so an Aero Mexicana flight. Holy shit! Alert the FBI! Gimme a damn break... You're really digging here if that's what you're going after.

I would venture to say that when an actual controller is new and in training, this is a scenario that actually poses more of a safety risk. When controllers are new, they will be worked into the controller role with an instructor-controller of sorts right by their side. Both will have headsets on and both will be able to listen and talk to aircraft and other controllers. The new controller will be doing their job and if there is ever a need, the instructor will step in immediately and take action to avoid any problems. It's similar to an IOE (Initial Operating Experience) when a pilot is on a new aircraft or in a new seat and they are flying with an experienced instructor pilot. There are several times when I have been flying into places like Dallas/Fort Worth or Chicago O'Hare, and I received a transmission from ATC, only to hear another transmission IMMEDIATELY, in a much more hurried and serious voice. After reading back and complying with the second instruction, someone in the flightdeck often says, "Hmmm, sounds like someone is in training today!"

For this kid to be at the panel with his parent, only reciting lines given to them directly by the actual controller, no, it's not cool and he shouldn't have done it. However, the actual controller wasn't letting the kid direct traffic and make his own decisions about where to put what aircraft. There were no actions to be watching and correcting. The kid was simply saying what he was told to say it and when to say it. After all, that's the easy part of a job like ATC. The hard part is knowing what to say and when to say it.

So, yeah, I'm sure this controller-parent will be scapegoated for this. Not because there was actually a compromise in safety, but because this wasn't acceptable behavior and the FAA will want to make sure no one does this again. I wouldn't be shocked if they get fired. I hope not, since if the kid enjoyed it, it could have been one of those "formative" experiences for them. We seem to do less and less of that sort of thing these days. After all, most people tend to work in cubicles anyway these days. What kid wants to see that? Now, looking out from a huge tower over a busy airport? Looking out at airplanes? Talking to airline pilots? Seeing things happen? Hearing the roar of jet engines? That's the kind of thing that would get most kids to put down their GameBoys and iPods. Even if only for a few minutes.