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[Danielle Harmon]

Respectfully, I have to agree with LizardCop. I respect everyone's opinion but, as someone who was raised in a household of firefighters and cops, I have been on the tanker and engine when responding to a call as well as in a cruiser responding to calls. I have also helped as a dispatcher at our Fire Dept back home when needed...all when I was under the age of 16. I have even helped my dad (a retired EMT) at crash scenes that we have just happened to come upon, as a kid and as an adult. I have helped direct traffic, tend to injuries and with crowd control before police and other first responders arrived on scene. Some people may feel it was irresponsible of my dad to allow that...but...I grew up in the kind of atmosphere where I learned how to do these things, and really, he would not have been able to stop me from assisting after he had taught me the tools to deal with situations like that (basic battle first aid was in my head long before the AF "taught" it to me). I was never in danger, and I helped people. All of these reasons are why I chose to join the military, and why I feel comfortable in dealing with these kinds of situations, and keep a good head on my shoulders during a crisis.
Maybe one day these kids will be some of the best ATCs out there, because of the experiences their dad gave them...that were in fact legal. I feel better knowing there are people out there who do what they do because they have a passion and dedication for it...and that is something that comes from inspiration at a young age. Granted, the kids probably weren't as steeped in it as I was as a kid...but at least the guy is involved with his kids enough to let them understand what he does, and to give them a respect for those who keep us safe every time we fly.

I have been in Air Traffic Control Towers as a guest in a few different airports as well as on quite a few AF bases. These people are professional and the atmosphere is not nearly as stress filled as you may think...at least not the ones I have seen.

This has been blown out of proportion and I feel for the guy. We have bigger things to worry about than this.

Just my opinion...sorry it was long winded.

[coffeechef]

Lizardcop... I am of the same opinion as you. While the Dad may have not thought through that this is how it would have gone. There really was no harm in what he did.
This Child got to feel the thrill of giving the go ahead to the pilot. A chance to walk in his fathers shoes and the sister the same experience. The kid was not landing the plane nor telling him critical information. It was routine. The Media once again has to make a story out of nothing. As for the Supervisor, because the Supervisor allowed it to happen and the poop has to roll somewhere.... that is why they are in trouble too. In all honesty I would worry more about the Controler being distracted by his child then by allowing them to make an announcement over the radio. and a letter of reprimand would have been enough.

[TheMadonna3]

..., or if you were an 'exotic' dancer.

Apples to Oranges there.

I too, respect different opinions and I stand by my original opinion that this is nothing to get worked up over. As a paramedic my son has been in the truck when it was called out. He also was in a dispatch center with me and dispatched and acknowledged calls. I made a decision, held the radio button, my son acknowledged calls such as "[unit number] copy status 10-8" and "[unit number] report to post ________" or other mundane routine things. I was right there. While this may seem high stress, this was pretty routine for these people as was what I was doing. Could a 911 call have come in and I actually had to work? Sure. If that happens, I kick the kid out of the chair and go to work. The father was right there to do the same. He was watching and prompting. Thousands of jets take off and land every day without incident. If someone didn't leak this to the media, you would have never known.

I respect the fact you disagree and I am not trying to change anyone's opinion, I just wanted people to have a different perspective on the matter and see the other side of it.

[Sue M.]

I am very sorry they lost their jobs. Sad incident.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by LizardCop

As a former Air Traffic Controller, I don't see anything dangerous about this. There are much worse things that go on in the tower cab that should probably be addressed...

Any family member can enter a facility with the employee, that is how the child got in there.

Letting another person talk on the radio is no different than having a trainee in position, they are monitored by a certified controller who is plugged into the communications system with them and can override/correct anything that is improper and/or unsafe immediately. They are told what to say to make sure the phraseology is correct. Certain VIP tours included allowing them to talk on the radios.

It's really sad that it has been blown this far out of proportion, the worst that should have happened is possibly placing a letter in their personnel file, instead someone decided to call the media. Sounds like a personal vendetta or sensational journalism to me...

Bill!