Aviators: Your opinion, please

[EastKyFF]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/03/03...ex.html?hpt=T2

The whole thing sounds harmless, but my concern is that he can't be allowed to set a precedent for everybody in the tower bringing their screaming kids to work on Career Day or something.

The other thing is the banter during runway movement. My doctor's brother-in-law was the pilot of the ComAir jet that crashed in Lexington, KY, and he has been crucified by the FAA, NTSB, media, and families of the other victims for not maintaining a "sterile ****pit" during takeoff. (The report states that it was about 30 seconds that he and the copilot discussed non-aviation topics before takeoff.) Very little was said about the controller who, working solo, didn't notice they were on an incorrect and unlighted runway. But I digress. Point is, a kid in the tower is more serious than thirty seconds of "How are the kids?" in the ****pit.

Anyhow, what do you all think? Much ado about nothing? Opening Pandora's box? A double standard?

[ScareCrow57]

No different than taking a kid in the fire truck to fires. Matter of fact, let him talk on the radio too.

Nope, there are some places kids shouldn't be going to work with parents. That would be one of them, the 911 center would be another. There are enough distractions without adding kids and cell phones.

[ffbam24]

I didn't hear any screaming kids

Kid was obviously supervised and being coached. It's not like he was handling departures by himself. He could very well have been unplugged immediately if something started to develop.

Granted, I'm sure some policies are in place that may have been infringed upon. The comms were standard. Slap on the wrist maybe.

IMO; no harm, no foul. Sounded like he did fine.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

As a student pilot....

Kids do not belong in the tower or the ATC.

As far as the ****pit.. on takeoff/climbout or final approach/landing, the only conversations going on should be pertinient to what is going on. There's plenty of time once the autopilot is on to converse.

[ffbam24]

Just testing the filters here:
****pit
****loft
pea****
****tails

How are we supposed to have discussions on some things here if our words are censored??? Poppy****!

[FWDbuff]

c o c k !!!! c o c k!!! c o c k!

[EastKyFF]

I think my thread has been hi****ed! I'm just beating my head against the wall here, like a wood******! (Come to think of it, that should be a **********.)

[Acklan]

c o c k !!!! c o c k!!! c o c k!

Where there is a will, there is a fire fighter.

[DennisTheMenace]

No harm, no foul. Kid did a pretty damn good job repeating what dad told him to say. FAA will suspend dad for a week without pay and he will never become the head of the FAA. Just as it should ****ing be.

[ChiefKN]

Stupid.

There should be no distractions at a job like that. None.

****PIT!!!!

Had to try it.

[tree68]

Matter of fact, let him talk on the radio too.

Can't be any worse than some chief's I've known. In fact, I've known kids who were better on the radio than some chiefs I've known...

That said - kids might be OK in the control tower as supervised visitors. If you want to arrange for some off-net radio time, pick another frequency (Unicom) and let 'em have at it.

More than a few fire departments have discovered the hazards of having kids in the apparatus during parades - when they get dispatched for a real incident and have to make sure the kids are all accounted for before they can roll.

[Dickey]

As a student pilot....

Kids do not belong in the tower or the ATC.

As far as the ****pit.. on takeoff/climbout or final approach/landing, the only conversations going on should be pertinient to what is going on. There's plenty of time once the autopilot is on to converse.

Agree 100%

[Dickey]

If the two pilots are female....is it still called a ****pit???

[Chenzo]

If the two pilots are female....is it still called a ****pit???

I was going to respond, butttttttt, I'll just leave this one alone lol.

[nameless]

no, then it becomes something that still starts with a c but isn't ****pit.

[PaladinKnight]

Well here is another one that has taken us to the edge of the abyss.

Do we dare jump in?




Maybe we have already taken the plunge and just haven't realized it yet.

[Dickey]

Well here is another one that has taken us to the edge of the abyss.

Do we dare jump in?




Maybe we have already taken the plunge and just haven't realized it yet.

Abyss??

Sounds like my last girlfriend. Like throwing a hot dog down a hallway.

[Chenzo]

no, then it becomes something that still starts with a c but isn't ****pit.

I would think that lackof**** pit would be a less offensive term?

[LFDAO10]

Being in the aviation field, I really don't see what the hoopla is all about. Any of the positions(Ground, tower, approach, departure, clearance etc.) in a large airport such as JFK are going to have multiple controllers watching over that position so it is not like the kid just had free reign over the place. I imagine the father was probably the one keying the mic as well so that he could cut them off if needed. Had the media not picked this up, it would not have even been a big deal. The media is so quick to judge on stuff that they know nothing about. We as firefighters should know this all to well.

[EastKyFF]

Abyss??

Sounds like my last girlfriend. Like throwing a hot dog down a hallway.

You stole that one from "Family Guy"! Stewie was talking to a prostitute and said, "So, is there any tread left on the tires or is it sorta like throwing a hot dog down the hall?"

But it's funny enough that I'll let ya slide