Well, with all the downsizing and money-saving tricks being pulled, it’s only natural that some industry would turn (back) to child labor. Once upon a time, kids were the backbone of the American economy, just not as spenders and trendmakers. No, they were more like bricklayers and cobblers. Since then, child labor laws have been passed to keep kids out of the work place, but that didn’t stop one youngster from being an air traffic controller at one of the world’s biggest airports, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Now, coordinating air travel is difficult, even with adult supervision. There’s all kinds of charts and radar screens and displays and things I can’t even imagine up in that tower, so I imagine the kid was thrilled to get up there and have a little fun. The pilots don’t seem too worried either, as the radio recording demonstrates. Still, the FAA is none too pleased with this breach of protocol.
Tags: child directs air traffic, air traffic controller, New York City, New York, JFK Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, child labor laws, FAA, Federal Aviation Administration