Earth to Matilda
Why is everyone so mad about the air traffic controller who let his kid talk to pilots? I understand the importance of the job and how absolutely critical it is to the safety of hundreds (thousands) of people on a daily basis, but how was anything that was done jeopardizing anyone?
The kid cleared a jet for takeoff. Undoubtedly, the child’s father had told him what to say and was sitting there ensuring nothing went wrong. As kids, i’m sure most of us fantasized about being able to do our dream job, and if we were ever given the opportunity, took it extremely seriously, had a great time with it, and felt very accomplished when it was over. I sure did. These kids weren’t running around giving bs transmissions to pilots. Who cares if it is the voice of an ATC veteran, tom brokaw, alvin and the chipmunks, or a kid? As long as the proper information is relayed, that is what matters.
Would this be appropriate if it happened on 9/11? Absolutely not. Was anyone endangered? No. What is the big deal?
I really don’t even understand how anyone could get so upset about this, especially knowing that it was in a very controlled and supervised environment. FCC, NATC, we understand that you’re important, but stop taking yourselves so seriously. It only makes you appear entirely incapable of adapting to anything ever. Maybe if your controllers worked in a less hostile environment, they’d hate their jobs less and stop falling asleep behind the desk….
They fall asleep because they are bored. Almost all in-flight tracking is done by computers, and there are a million safeguards to keep accidents from happening. Apparently the press just needs something to bitch about now that the Jay Leno story has gone cold.
Meh, had this have happened on 9/11 it would be just as much of a non-issue. You would have still had someone right there next to the kid, with a headset on and the mic turned off who could immediately turn his mic on and the kids off. A non-story is a non-story, but we have FOUR 24-hr news networks and if you’re going to fill all that airtime with “news” you’re going to have to grasp at every little straw and public outrage topic you can. Look how much coverage Tiger Woods, a golfer (aka no home team), got for sleeping around? And not just on the sports channels, but all of them. Tell me how this is news… famous celebrity fucks chick whose not wife. Next thing you know you’ll tell me Congressman illegally takes money! But you won’t talk about that for NEARLY as long as said celebrity even though it is far more relevant and said congressman will get re-elected anyways.