Kids in the Control Tower
Take your kids to work day can be fun for the kids and for the parents. However, when bringing kids to work gets you in hot water with the boss, then it's not so much fun.
That was the case for an air traffic controller and his supervisor who are under investigation because the controller allegedly allowed his kids to speak with pilots on an air traffic control frequency.
Authorities are looking into two incidents, which happened last month at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Both the controller and the supervisor have been placed on paid administrative leave.
"This lapse in judgment not only violated FAA's own policies but common sense standards for professional conduct. These kinds of distractions are totally unacceptable," Administrator Randy Babbitt said in the statement. "We have an incredible team of professionals who safely control our nation's skies every single day. This kind of behavior does not reflect the true caliber of our workforce."
The incidents allegedly took place on February 16 and involved the controller's young son. According to liveactc.net, the son could be heard on a recording, giving a Jet Blue flight clearance for takeoff. The son also spoke to a pilot on an Air Mexico flight.
The second incident allegedly happened when the controller brought his daughter into the same tower the following day. This child allegedly was allowed to talk with pilots of two planes, according to an FAA official who spoke to CNN and asked not to be identified because of the ongoing investigation.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association told CBS news, "We do not condone this type of behavior in any way. It is not indicative of the highest professional standards that controllers set for themselves and exceed each and every day in the advancement of aviation safety."
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