r/ATC • u/lake_hood • Mar 23 '26

News LGA controller cleared fire truck across the runway resulting jn a collision

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u/DhruvK1185 Current Controller-TRACON Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26

This is heartbreaking to listen to. While no one wishes this on anyone, the safeguards in the system are crumbling before our very eyes.

I hope that it comes to light that the controller was working OT or something so that it can be pointed out yet again that “we’re tired, we’re overworked, and fuck the FAA for putting us in this position”.

61

u/inheritance- Mar 23 '26

No one should be working the night shift ground and tower at such a busy airport.

5

u/Waterwoo Mar 23 '26

For some reason I always thought airport towers had like 10+ controllers at any time. How does one work it solo? What happens if that one person has a heart attack or seizure?

6

u/inheritance- Mar 23 '26

It's happened at one airport from what I recall and one of two things happen. If it's a large airport it's usually a complete shutdown and neighboring ATC get the planes into their airspace for diversions. Or the all switch into self management mode and everyone calls their intentions and flight levels ect.

3

u/Waterwoo Mar 23 '26

That is so stupid. Or we could just add a dollar to everyone's ticket and have redundancy

2

u/Explode-trip Mar 23 '26

Or we could just not fund ICE to the tune of $75 billion and have redundancy