Shota liek being an air traffic controller.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating employees at the Kennedy Airport air-traffic control tower for apparently allowing at least two school-age children to transmit directions to pilots.
CBS 2 has learned on two separate occasions in February, an air traffic controller from Long Island brought a child with him to work at JFK. The first incident occurred on Feb. 16, and the FAA told CBS 2 on Wednesday that a second child was brought into the tower by the controller a day later on Feb. 17.
At least one of the children was said to be 7 years old.
The 7-year-old spoke with several departing flights.
Child: Jet Blue 171 cleared for take-off.
JB 171: Cleared for takeoff, JetBlue 171.
Controller: Aero Mexico 403, Kennedy, 31L position and hold.
AMX 403: Position and hold Aero Mexico 403.
Controller: Here’s what you get, you guys, when the kids are out of school
Child: JetBlue 171 contact departure.
JB 171: Over to departure, JetBlue 171, awesome job
On the tape, the boy speaks only to planes on the ground awaiting takeoff and then clearly at the direction of the adult on duty, but experts say the boy’s mere presence in the control tower represents an inappropriate distraction and a security breach.
At the time though, the pilots and controller seem more amused than alarmed.
Controller: Cactus 14, Kennedy following an RJ, wind 310 at 15, 31 R cleared to land.
Son: Contact departure, adios amigos.
JB 195: Adios amigos, over to departure JetBlue 195.
Even people who are sympathetic with the childcare needs of a working parent are baffled by the judgment of this air controller.
“That’s scary for everybody. You can’t do that. That’s risking a lot of people’s lives,” said JFK air passenger Shamir Ali. .
The child is heard communicating with multiple pilots on an active runway at one of the nation’s busiest airports. Though some of the pilots seem to be impressed, FAA officials are not, saying in a written statement:
“Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic. This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees.”
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