Audio indicates kid directed planes at NY airport

NEW YORK (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration says it's "not acceptable." And the union representing air traffic controllers agrees.

By: Associated Press | WNCT
Published: March 03, 2010

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NEW YORK (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration says it's "not acceptable." And the union representing air traffic controllers agrees.
Both are criticizing the conduct at a control tower at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport last month, when a child was apparently allowed to direct pilots.
On the recordings from Feb. 17, a child can be heard making five transmissions to pilots preparing for takeoff. In one exchange, the child can be heard saying, "JetBlue 171 contact departure," and the pilot responds, "Awesome job."
The child appears to be under an adult's supervision, because a male voice then comes on and says with a laugh, "That's what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school."
The FAA says the employees who were involved have been taken off the job during the investigation. The agency says the behavior "does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees."
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association issued a similar statement.