Child's Play at JFK Airport

Letting kids come like this, no.
Doing a controlled, scheluded "event", yes, it should be "allowed".
But stil.. kids in the controller tower... hmm

reply to post by GradyPhilpott


Yes, I understand your take...in that aspect of the "distraction". But, I've visited Towers. There is a LOT of activity, behind the scenes, all day long. People are Human, after all.

You can hear it the background, very frequently...not only on Local Control, but Ground Control, TRACON, Center....all of them.

A controller can focus, and blot out distractions, just as pilots can.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard laughter, or talking, in the background when a controller has his/her mic keyed, and is issuing clearances. Sometimes, it's the mic...not close enough to the mouth, or discriminatory enough. Depends on the technolgy of the device, too...to block out extraneous noise.

We know how to 'filter' out those sorts of things, and concentrate on what matters.

Almost ALL of ATC communications are routine, and in a way 'scripted'. When you're number one at a runway, and you see there are no airplanes too close on final, you can bet you're about to be cleared 'into position and hold', or just 'clear for take-off', depending on what's in front of you, or intersecting runway traffic, etc, etc. We KNOW that shortly after we take-off, we'll be 'handed off' to departure.....it's when the 'script' changes, and non-routine transmisions are made, such as in an emergency, that even MORE attention kicks in, along with the adrenaline.

It's really a lot more causual than you realize.

reply to post by Everton


I was thinking the same thing! Like a little kid had run amok or something. Little did I know some horrible parent let his kid talk into a microphone. I think the parent would have gotten in less trouble if the kid had stabbed someone like Chucky.

reply to post by weedwhacker


Thanks for your input. Its nice to hear from someone with some background rather than just some random "passenger" that the newspaper decided to interview.

I stand by my statement that this is an overreaction. Would be nice if there was an actual ATC on here to state his case too.

It was an obvious stupid decision by the father. I don't think it was a significant safety risk, let's not forget the kid was supervised, but nevertheless it should not of happened. I don't know if the father should be fired. If he is a proficient controller, simply banning children from the control tower could correct any deficiency.

Do I need to write in caryon for you guys.

What's a "caryon"? I'm sorry, but most people on this website only speak English, which is usually taught to us during preschool.