Friday, March 5, 2010

Air Traffic Control Day Care Center

I've always heard that being an air traffic controller is one of the most stressful jobs out there, but I guess anyone can do it:


NEW YORK (Reuters) - An investigation is underway into why a young child, apparently under an adult's supervision, was allowed to direct air traffic at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, U.S. authorities said Wednesday.

In transmissions broadcast by local media, the young child -- whose age is unknown -- can be heard directing pilots for departure, apparently under the supervision of an adult. The incident reportedly happened two weeks ago.

At one point an adult voice can be heard telling a pilot: "This is what you get guys when the kids are out of school."

The pilots receiving instructions from the child did not appear too concerned with one pilot saying "awesome job."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that pending the outcome of its investigation the employees involved in the incident were not controlling air traffic.


Now, I've been on flights, and you can plug your earphones into the chair and hear some of the com traffic. As a passenger, I think I'd be a bit freaked out by hearing little Johnny giving my pilot the go-ahead.

At least the kid is sober, though... Kind of blows the socks off of 'take your kid to work' day.

9 comments:

Z said...

We've all seen how intense and BUSY those controllers are...when you think of it from that angle, this is NUTS and should never happen again.

EDGE said...

I heard this story on the Weather Channel and one of the commentators said "it really was no big deal" b/c the adults were present. As far as I'm concerned...there were no adults present when this fiasco took place.

Got a date tonight with a good ol' conservative girl...wish me luck!

cube said...

Suppose your surgeon brought in their kid and allowed him or her to perform a little surgery on you - all supervised by adults of course. I don't think anyone would go for it.

Common sense really isn't so common, is it?

Krystal said...

Guess the next step would be to put an 8-yr-old in a cop uniform and let him direct vehicle traffic. I mean, why not ... if there's an adult present.

I don't think this one was completely thought out.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Kids should only be allowed to control battlefield drone weaponry with telepresence video game interfaces.

We'd have hella world peace.

DOOD U PWNED IRAN LOL!!!!!1111

Snarky Basterd said...

Meh. That kid sounded a lot more competent than Zero.

Chuck said...

We could let children drive mass transit trains. Although to be fair, they could probably text and drive at the same time better than an adult can.

Krispy said...

See, this is yet another classic example of why we need Ronald Reagan. He fired all those jackass air traffic controllers back in the '80's.

Brooke said...

Z: Some things you just can't fool around with!

Edge: Good luck, brother! :)

Cube: Really. This was "no big deal" b/c nothing horrible happened... Fortunately. This time.

Krystal: There wasn't much thought going on, you're right.

Beamish: Bwaahaaahaaaaaa!!! I love it!

What do they do when their interface says "8001050F"? ;)

SB: I'd rather have an eight-year old in office. I volunteer mine. :)

Chuck: Dude, that's scary.

Krispy: That was what my hubby said when he heard about this! LOL!