The media is at it again.....

[Captain4242]

CNN reporting that a controller in JFK let his child clear airplanes for takeoff a couple of weeks ago. It is clearly a youngster's voice on the tapes; even remarking about "bring your child to work day". As long as traffic was light, and good VFR weather, and the controller was watching and listening to EVERYTHING the kid did, what harm was really done? The kid is probably envied at his school. Even some of the departing planes worked nicely with the kid..."Good job", one said.

I have a family member who works in the media...she's been lying through her teeth since she was 9. That's why she's a good jounalist

 

[Flyin2low]

As long as traffic was light, and good VFR weather, and the controller was watching and listening to EVERYTHING the kid did, what harm was really done?

What if the kid cleared AeroMex for takeoff, before dad was ready to, and a near miss occurred with another aircraft?

 

[stupidpilot]

I'm sure the dad was controlling the transmit button. Come on, you gotta do better than that.

 

[clr4theapch]

More on this non-event on the majors board..

 

[OurMoney1]

This is ridiculous. Kids need role models in this country and not the Tiger Woods of the world.

There is no foul here, more tax dollars spent by the FAA to burn red tape and launch investigations while big problems are left to fester.

 

[WSurf]

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/tape-reveals-child-directing-air-traffic-at-jfk-airport/19381218?icid=main|main|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Ftape-reveals-child-directing-air-traffic-at-jfk-airport%2F19381218

You can hear the transmission! He even told AeroMexico Adios when switchin' him to departure!!!
Funny!! Good stuff!

 

[IslandDriver]

As A pilot....there was nothing done wrong. I think it is great that the dad was able to do this. I wish I could take my dad or my son when he gets older on the jumpseat with me.

Like the other post said...kids need roll models and I think it was great that he was able to see his dad at work.

My Dad was a firefighter...I talked on the radio there when I was a kid...even rode along to a call or two.

 

[jak378]

Another non-event overplayed by the media. Now watch all the hand wringing by the government trying to crucify the controller. You can "what if" this to death, like: what if the kid made a mistake, what if the dad wasn't paying attention, and son ad infinitum, but the fact is the kid did not make a mistake and apparently dad did pay close attention. What a lot of nonsense over nothing. No harm, no foul.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

As a controller, yeah, no biggie as long as pops is there to tell him what to do. On another note, as a pilot.....i would question the transmission. If I heard that at a busy airport I would think some kid had a transceiver near by and I would wonder what the hell was going on. Not completely related but dad thought it was okay to put his son in the captain seat on Aeroflot. We all remember what happened there?

 

[jak378]

It is valid point about a pilot hearing the kid's voice and believing it to be someone playing games. On the other hand, as long as the transmissions were approptiate to what was going at the moment, confusion should be minimal. That was obviously the case here.

 

[Ticker]

Didn't they bust someone issuing false clearances and such over at EWR a while back?

So, you're #1 for takeoff and hear this kid issue a clearance and what do you think? My first guess would be that it was a kid with a handheld.

 

[OneBadLT123]

I can appreciate the controller wanting to experience his job with his child, but in an industry where bureaucracy is king in the land of SOP's and regulations, I can see how this is an issue. It kind of reminds me of the Aeroflot pilot letting his son sit in the left seat which unfortunately led to a fatal accident.

 

[skybert]

This controller is guilty....of being a great dad. I think I'm smart enough to question the controller if I think it's a rouge transmission and well,call me crazy but I look out the window before I take the runway.

 

[sleddriver71]

I think it's totally inappropriate to let a kid give aircraft clearances. If I were one of the aircraft receiving a clearance from that child I would question whether it was for real or a prank. I don't need to be pondering that at such a critical part of my flight. I think the controller needs to have the book thrown at him. That's not the right time or place to be goofing around. I can't believe how many people are defending his actions.

 

[skipper1]

We are all involved in a very unforgiving profession which we all understand. But why must we suck all of the fun out of life? Come on people....seriously...everyone was having fun! When do we get to enjoy life again!?!?!?!

 

[sleddriver71]

We are all involved in a very unforgiving profession which we all understand. But why must we suck all of the fun out of life? Come on people....seriously...everyone was having fun! When do we get to enjoy life again!?!?!?!

I do this for a living and my main goal at the end of each day I fly is to come home alive and well. I can't think of many things that are more fun to me than flying, however, kids giving clearances is not my idea of fun.

 

[LongBoarder]

I do this for a living and my main goal at the end of each day I fly is to come home alive and well. I can't think of many things that are more fun to me than flying, however, kids giving clearances is not my idea of fun.

Lighten up Francis...

 

[Lynxman]

As A pilot....there was nothing done wrong. I think it is great that the dad was able to do this. I wish I could take my dad or my son when he gets older on the jumpseat with me.

Like the other post said...kids need roll models and I think it was great that he was able to see his dad at work.

My Dad was a firefighter...I talked on the radio there when I was a kid...even rode along to a call or two.

My dad is A CFD FF and gosh I've gone so many times with him to work and on calls, made me learn how hard he works to give me what I have. I wish I had a parent that was a pilot to guide me through this industry. Sucks this had to happen.

 

[sleddriver71]

Lighten up Francis...

Thanks for the helpful advice captain LongBoarder, on the other hand, some things in life are worth taking seriously, maybe you should try it.