FAA Angry after Child Directs Planes from ATC Tower at JFK

Did any of our JFK-area readers catcher Junior on Channel 9 recently?

Washington (CNN) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after an air traffic controller at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport brought his young child to work and allowed the child to communicate with planes, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.

"Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic," the FAA said in a statement. "This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees."

However, Dave Pascoe, owner of liveatc.net, a Web site where the recording of the air traffic communications is posted, told CNN he believes the incident is "ridiculous" and has been "blown out of proportion."

In the recording, a child can be heard saying "Jet Blue 171, cleared for takeoff."

A man is then heard telling the plane, "Here’s what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school."

The pilot chuckles and says, "Wish I could bring my kid to work." The same pilot later tells the child he did an "awesome job." 

Overall, I agree with the FAA that it is inappropriate to let your child clear flights for takeoff. I would hope that Junior was made aware he was to remain silent until told otherwise and because he only made two statements, I would not fire his father. But what was he thinking when he brought his kid to work?

Full story here.

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