Planes wait while controller takes potty break

[Fly4Pay]

Totally unacceptable, it is as absurd as the headline makes it sound, to (in effect) close an airport for 18 minutes for a bathroom break should not be tolerated by pilots, controllers or the flying public. If procedures were followed, we need new procedures...Contrary to what a lot of people believe, planes actually can and do land at airports without control towers or with control towers that are closed.

However, the procedures in place at those uncontrolled airports are different than those at CONTROLLED airports. Just because I can fly into East Podunk Regional uncontrolled does not mean that if ATL's tower controllers go on break, everyone can still land.

There's a reason why controlled fields are controlled. And a controlled field with a closed tower either reverts to an uncontrolled field (with appropriate procedures) or is CLOSED. You can't just treat a closed controlled field like an uncontrolled field.

 

[skydog]

Totally unacceptable, it is as absurd as the headline makes it sound, to (in effect) close an airport for 18 minutes for a bathroom break should not be tolerated by pilots, controllers or the flying public. If procedures were followed, we need new procedures.

Hate to break it to you, but airports close all the time for stupid (and some not so stupid) reasons. Consider the guy whose landing gear collapses on the rollout while while you're on final. Are you going to land anyway because that is "unacceptable?"

ATC's sole job is to keep airplanes from running into each other, in the air, on the ground, or during that transition. If they can't assure proper separation, they aren't going to give you clearance to do anything, regardless of what you want or need or expect.

 

[Wild_Weasel]

Hate to break it to you, but airports close all the time for stupid (and some not so stupid) reasons. Consider the guy whose landing gear collapses on the rollout while while you're on final. Are you going to land anyway because that is "unacceptable?"

ATC's sole job is to keep airplanes from running into each other, in the air, on the ground, or during that transition. If they can't assure proper separation, they aren't going to give you clearance to do anything, regardless of what you want or need or expect.

Even though what the controller did was probably perfectly safe and in accordance with regulations, it still just reeks of incompetence and lackluster standards within the FAA. Stuff like that shouldn't happen; either there should always be a minimum of two fully certified controllers in the tower or additional scheduled breaks. Imagine how many people would complain and criticize the TSA if a screener took a break for 15 minutes to go drop the kids off at the pool.

 

[tonyw]

Imagine how many people would complain and criticize the TSA if a screener took a break for 15 minutes to go drop the kids off at the pool.

If I was going through screening in those 15 minutes, I'd sure be happy about it.

 

[Old Pete]

Hate to break it to you, but airports close all the time for stupid (and some not so stupid) reasons. Consider the guy whose landing gear collapses on the rollout while while you're on final. Are you going to land anyway because that is "unacceptable?"

Poor Comparison. In this case, there was no safety issue with the runway.

ATC's sole job is to keep airplanes from running into each other, in the air, on the ground, or during that transition. If they can't assure proper separation, they aren't going to give you clearance to do anything, regardless of what you want or need or expect.

ATC can and does provide separation to ifr aircraft at non-towered airports and airports with closed towers where controlled airspace goes to the surface. On the other hand ATC does not provide separation to vfr aircraft in Class C airspace. When the tower is closed in Manchester the Class C airspace reverts to Class E airspace by rule.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the Federal Aviation Regulation (14
CFR part 71) establishes a Class E airspace area at Manchester, NH. The
Class E airspace area extends upward from the surface at Manchester
Airport, Manchester, NH. The purpose of this controlled airspace will
be to provide for controlled airspace from the surface to accommodate
aircraft executing instrument approaches and departures from the
airport during times when the air traffic control at Manchester is
closed.

To delay a Lifeguard flight that is transporting organs to be transplanted because one controller is in the bathroom and the other is unable to clear anyone because of his training status is unconscionable.

 

[derg]

OMG! Controllers have to poop? OMG! OMG!

Now if the tower were properly staffed, it probably wouldn't have been an issue I presume.