US air traffic control head quits over tower sleep row

[Gerald]

http://i.imgur.com/NMTOv.jpg

The head of the US air traffic control agency has resigned after a number of incidents where air traffic controllers fell asleep while on duty.

Randy Babbitt, chief of the Federal Aviation Administration, said he had accepted Hank Krakowski's resignation.

On Thursday, Mr Babbitt pledged a "top to bottom review" of the air traffic control system.

In the past month, several planes have landed safely at US airports without controller guidance.

"Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused the travelling public to question our ability to ensure their safety," Mr Babbitt said in a statement.

"This conduct must stop immediately."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13085245

Note: 14 April 2011 Last updated at 16:04 GMT

[Rilder]

This is why you blast Metal in the control tower. :O:

[Fish In The Water]

In the past month, several planes have landed safely at US airports without controller guidance.

They gotta do something about this quick before people realize they never needed 'em in the first place... :O:

[Tchocky]

Ack

"Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused the travelling public to question our ability to ensure their safety," Mr Babbitt said in a statement (http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=12666).

That's a bit rich, if you ask me. These incidents coming so close together tells me that it's an institutional issue regarding shift patterns, regulations, and understaffing, not a bunch of ATCO's suddenly deciding to sleep on the job.
I understand the FAA has staffing issues at the moment, but trying to fix it by hiding the problem won't get them anywhere.

[GoldenRivet]

i remember once i was receiving a landing clearance.

during the controllers radio broadcast, clearing me to land, i heard this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFcO6fbQ6CA)sound in the background during his radio transmission.

:haha:

[Torplexed]

Oh good. The FAA says they plan to add a second overnight staffer at 27 airports.

Yeah...like they weren't double staffed already.

http://pyxis.homestead.com/ATC.jpg

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

i remember once i was receiving a landing clearance.

during the controllers radio broadcast, clearing me to land, i heard this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFcO6fbQ6CA)sound in the background during his radio transmission.

:haha:
Good news: they may stay awake.
Bad news: they may not pay attention to air traffic. :doh:

[papa_smurf]

i remember once i was receiving a landing clearance.

during the controllers radio broadcast, clearing me to land, i heard this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFcO6fbQ6CA)sound in the background during his radio transmission.

:haha:

At least the controller has taste:D

[GoldenRivet]

At least the controller has taste:D

yes and in his defense, i think there were a few people in the tower, and it was a super slow day that day anyhow.

;)

[Platapus]

http://pyxis.homestead.com/ATC.jpg

how long does it take you to make a drawing like this?

[Gerald]

The US aviation agency says it will change air traffic controllers' work scheduling, after several incidents in which controllers fell asleep on duty.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it would do "everything we can to put an end to this".

In Miami, another controller fell asleep on duty at a radar facility that handles high altitude air traffic.

In the past month, a number of planes have landed safely at US airports without controller guidance.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13106469

Update Record,16 April 2011 Last updated at 20:43 GMT