NEW YORK -- An air traffic controller and a superviser have been suspended after a child was allowed to direct traffic at JFK International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration says a controller brought his child to work on February 17 during a week-long 'President's Day' holiday.
The FAA says the child communicated with five pilots and cleared some for take-off.
A partial transcript of the transmissions, caught on an audio recording, follows:
JFK Tower: "JetBlue 171 contact departure
"
Pilot: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job."
An adult male voice is then heard saying:
"This is what you get guys when the kids are out of school."
Pilot: "Wish I could bring my kid to work."
JFK Tower: "03 clear for take off."
The child later clears a Mexican flight for takeoff, and says, "Adios, amigo."
The Federal Aviation Administration says a controller brought his child to work on February 17 during a week-long 'President's Day' holiday.
The FAA says the child communicated with five pilots and cleared some for take-off.
A partial transcript of the transmissions, caught on an audio recording, follows:
JFK Tower: "JetBlue 171 contact departure
"
Pilot: "Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job."
An adult male voice is then heard saying:
"This is what you get guys when the kids are out of school."
Pilot: "Wish I could bring my kid to work."
JFK Tower: "03 clear for take off."
The child later clears a Mexican flight for takeoff, and says, "Adios, amigo."
In a statement, the FAA said "Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic. This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees."
