FAA Controller caught watching DVD while working
Apr 19, 2011 | 10:00 am
#1
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FAA Controller caught watching DVD while working
Here is the text of a press release from the FAA:
Source: April 19, 2011 FAA Press Release
“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
Apr 19, 2011 | 11:20 am
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I'd rather the controller be awake with a movie running in the background than asleep in an otherwise silent tower...
Apr 19, 2011 | 1:39 pm
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Apr 19, 2011 | 2:33 pm
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Apr 19, 2011 | 2:59 pm
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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.
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.
Apr 19, 2011 | 3:07 pm
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Apr 19, 2011 | 3:10 pm
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Have these occurrences started to pick up, or have they been happening for a while, and have just started to be noticed?
Apr 19, 2011 | 4:28 pm
#11
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Apr 19, 2011 | 7:38 pm
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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.
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.
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
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.
Last edited by lostinthewash; Apr 19, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Apr 20, 2011 | 7:53 am
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Cleaner? You have to be kidding? Of all the movies to watch... they should be fired!
Apr 20, 2011 | 9:35 am
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...r-account.html
Apr 20, 2011 | 10:37 am
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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.
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.