FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues-686/)
-   -   FAA Controller caught watching DVD while working (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1207170-faa-controller-caught-watching-dvd-while-working.html)

RatherBeOnATrain Apr 19, 2011 10:00 am

FAA Controller caught watching DVD while working
 
Here is the text of a press release from the FAA:
“During the early morning hours of April 17, 2011, an air traffic controller at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center was watching a movie on a portable electronic device while working a radar position. For a little more than three minutes, the controller’s microphone was inadvertently activated, transmitting the soundtrack of the movie over the radio frequency for that airspace. The problem was brought to air traffic control’s attention by the pilot of a military aircraft using an alternate frequency. The controller and the front line manager have been suspended from operational duties pending an investigation. FAA policy prohibits the use of portable DVD players and other devices from being used on the floor of the radar room.”

Source: April 19, 2011 FAA Press Release

Ari Apr 19, 2011 11:10 am

I'm disappointed they don't specify which movie. :(

Critic Apr 19, 2011 11:20 am

I'd rather the controller be awake with a movie running in the background than asleep in an otherwise silent tower...

goalie Apr 19, 2011 1:39 pm


Originally Posted by Ari (Post 16245037)
I'm disappointed they don't specify which movie. :(

Maybe it was porn? ;)

cordelli Apr 19, 2011 2:33 pm


Originally Posted by Ari (Post 16245037)
I'm disappointed they don't specify which movie. :(

Some stories did

The New York Post reports that a Cleveland-area air traffic controller was watching the 2007 Samuel L. Jackson movie "Cleaner" while working at a regional radar center early Sunday morning.

Combat Medic Apr 19, 2011 2:55 pm


Originally Posted by Critic (Post 16245114)
I'd rather the controller be awake with a movie running in the background than asleep in an otherwise silent tower...

Agree

Boggie Dog Apr 19, 2011 2:58 pm

This seems like a bunch of do over nothing.

I would not have fired this guy.

cordelli Apr 19, 2011 2:59 pm

What difference does it make if they were watching a movie or sleeping? In both cases, they could not answer the calls, so the end result was the same, it was as if the tower was empty.

I don't think anybody cares they were watching a movie, they probably do it all the time, like countless other people who have to work alone will do.

I think the issue was he had an open microphone, could not hear calls, and was broadcasting the movie so that everybody knew what was going on.

Had he been watching a movie as he probably did hundreds of other times, heard the call come in, stop the movie and take the call he would still be working.

Ari Apr 19, 2011 3:07 pm


Originally Posted by cordelli (Post 16246359)
Some stories did

The New York Post reports that a Cleveland-area air traffic controller was watching the 2007 Samuel L. Jackson movie "Cleaner" while working at a regional radar center early Sunday morning.

Thanks. ^

FriendlySkies Apr 19, 2011 3:10 pm

Have these occurrences started to pick up, or have they been happening for a while, and have just started to be noticed?

goalie Apr 19, 2011 4:28 pm


Originally Posted by FriendlySkies (Post 16246596)
Have these occurrences started to pick up, or have they been happening for a while, and have just started to be noticed?

My 2 hockey pucks say it's the latter

lostinthewash Apr 19, 2011 7:38 pm

The TSA PR wheels must be spinning - "See, we keep you safe - not like those darned FAA guys who almost let planes crash. Imagine !!"

So what if it's not close to the truth, but this can't help but be good for deflecting away from all the issues going on with the TSA.

Edited to add:

And here goes ... twitter post found on google real time 3 minutes ago.


edack‎ RT @TSAgov: I never thought I'd say this, but air traffic controllers actually make us look competent at our jobs. #tsa
Edited again to add:
Looked at some of @TSAgov twitter posts - holy crap, if this guy is indicative of what they hire at the TSA, everything everyone has been posting on FT about 99% of TSA employees is more than true. And this guy has 15,000 followers.

jbdk Apr 20, 2011 7:53 am


Originally Posted by cordelli (Post 16246359)
Some stories did

The New York Post reports that a Cleveland-area air traffic controller was watching the 2007 Samuel L. Jackson movie "Cleaner" while working at a regional radar center early Sunday morning.

Cleaner? You have to be kidding? Of all the movies to watch... they should be fired!

cordelli Apr 20, 2011 9:35 am


Originally Posted by lostinthewash (Post 16247887)
Edited again to add:
Looked at some of @TSAgov twitter posts - holy crap, if this guy is indicative of what they hire at the TSA, everything everyone has been posting on FT about 99% of TSA employees is more than true. And this guy has 15,000 followers.

You do know that's a fake parody account right?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...r-account.html

Loren Pechtel Apr 20, 2011 10:37 am


Originally Posted by cordelli (Post 16246524)
What difference does it make if they were watching a movie or sleeping? In both cases, they could not answer the calls, so the end result was the same, it was as if the tower was empty.

I don't think anybody cares they were watching a movie, they probably do it all the time, like countless other people who have to work alone will do.

I think the issue was he had an open microphone, could not hear calls, and was broadcasting the movie so that everybody knew what was going on.

Had he been watching a movie as he probably did hundreds of other times, heard the call come in, stop the movie and take the call he would still be working.

Yeah. Watching a movie when there's nothing on the screens would be harmless. Allowing it to go out over an open mike, though, is a big screwup.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 3:08 pm.


This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.