LGA ATC

[AirtrafficController]

I have been listening to LGA ATC for a few weeks and the thing that has concered me is that when I'm listening to them, there is only one controller who is in control of take-offs and landings(and this is during the early evening) Are the air traffic controllers at LGA tower understaffed or shorthanded?

[njgtr82]

I can't say if they are understaffed but most airports(other then the very large) use only one controller for arrivals and departures.

[hiss srq]

No, it is not understaffed. In fact we have the pleasure of dealing with 4 newbies screw ups every day at LGA or at least several days out of the week.

[AirtrafficController]

No, it is not understaffed. In fact we have the pleasure of dealing with 4 newbies screw ups every day at LGA or at least several days out of the week.

well they are rookies but I know what you mean as they are the new guys

[cancidas]

due to the fact that we use intersecting runways for arrivals and departures you don't want two controllers running the show. two controllers would mean they would need to coordinate what is going on with airplanes, and in the long run would just make things unsafe for everyone. i think one person is just fine, as long as they know what they're doing!

[hiss srq]

It is frustrating when the rookies are on ground control though. Sounding professional but knowing jack crap about "flow" at LGA. Kind of frustrating but over the last week or so I have noticed a great improvement when the rookies are on ground control.

[PHL Approach]

You simply can't have two local controllers operating intersecting or runways used for close simultaneous operations. You want to talk about crazy operations that one local controller runs LGA. SFO only has one local and they trounce all over LGA.

Not to forget EWR, but SFO is by far still nuts.

As far as Developments being on Ground, that can be one of the hardest positions for Devs to learn while checking out.

[DHG750R]

While there is only 1 controller you hear on the radio , there are usually no fewer than 2 watching the happenings. One is coordinating with TRACON and backing up the local controller.

[Gerard]

Isnt there a seperate controller for the Class B movements (Helicopters
specifically)?

[njgtr82]

Isnt there a seperate controller for the Class B movements (Helicopters
specifically)?

Yes

[Gerard]

Thanks nj82

[hiss srq]

Peaking of ATC and communication I was working a few flights today and it went a little something like this

Chataqua xxxx inbound for 8 Alpha

Me: Chataqua XXXX give way to a US 737 on 24. He will be crossing Alpha to Mike to get on Bravo than in.

Chataqua XXXX: give way to cactus 737 than in to 8 Alpha

Me: That is actually a US east bird.

Chataqua: (laughing) I know i was praticeing

Needless to say that ERJ crew miffed me a little bit yet it was pretty funny.

Now the joke is trying to convince someone in the tower to call a flight cactus but I would not personally do it. I have my own feelings on it all.

[AirtrafficController]

looks like LGA had some delays today because of FAA computers

[lijk604]

wasn't just LGA...the whole Northeast was affected. HPN/FRG/ISP/JFK/EWR/TEB/PHL....and so on and so on..

[AirtrafficController]

yea well i meant by the local area, anyway here it is
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19116246/