As a former 911 dispatcher (I left to raise my two young children) I can't begin to tell you how often other parents have done what these air traffic controllers did and it was harmless. Simple things as stating the time and call signs. Even clearing planes for departure shouldn't have been an issue and if I were on the plane, I would have thought it delightful to hear the transmission, not shocking. The child was under obvious supervision and it obviously did not affect safety at all. Pilots even got a kick out of it. It's such a serious job, some levity should be permitted at times. It was not unprofessional and it's a non news story in all honesty.

I think the kid did a great job, and at no time put anyones safety at risk...this issue is being treated too serious and the airline pilots did not contact any union rep or superviser regarding this issue, clearly they as professionals did not feel their lives and their charges lives were put at risk...furthure more in the tower there was a superviser...itis the supervisers job to make sure everything is done right...regardless of the age of the person directing the the plane im sure the supervisor would have stepped in if something was done incorrectly.......great job kid and hopfully this issue doesnt hinder your dream of mabey become a real ATC...great job!!

Yes I do in some situations or the parents should be able to take time off to take care of their children.

These kids were saying exactly what they were told to say and were saying it clearly. I see nothing wrong with this. As usual there is a huge over-reaction to something harmless.

Its offensive that TODAY made this lead story 2 days in row. It represents a father showing interest in his kids. He is an example to all! He should be praised and not fired. If his supervisor allowed it then obviously it wasn't such an issue to his department and you don't hear any anger or alarm from the pilots who were communicating with the children. If the media weren't casting this in a bad light the FAA wouldn't be making such a big deal about this!

Give me a break!!! Is this the only concern of the FHA!!! A man brought his kid to work, he didn' tell him to land planes while he went for a coffe break... And it's not as if the child was launching a rocket... This is sad that this is the topic of the week, how about the war, earthquakes, and the economy.?.

This incident is inexcusable.  Children should in no way participate in live air traffic control.  I would be outraged if I had a loved one on a flight where the air traffic controller was entertaining his child in the process.  He needs to be fired. 

TODAY made a mountain out of molehill! You intimated that this kid was in charge of air traffic control. That's utter nonsense! He was merely restating information he was given by the adults in control. Listen to the reaction of the pilots--they are fine with it. If a problem had occurred druing take off or landing, I have no doubt that the adults would have jumped in immediately. Has TODAY not heard of Take Your Kids to Work Day? Give us some real news.

This is rediculous, kids NEED to be taken to work. We are in a society were people are getting lazier and lazier and kids think that they can sit around and do nothing. They are learning this because they arent allowed to do anything. Every kid job is being taken away, they cant even deliver a paper. I commend him for taking his child to work and as a country we have so many bigger things to worry about.

It is not about safety, the issue is kids in the work place in general. First off, it has to be some sort of liability for the company if the kid gets hurt. Second the rest of us are all trying to do our jobs, having your child in the work place decreases your productivity and affects everyone in the office. If your child is not at school and you have to work hire a sitter, ask a neighbor or stay home. Do not cause issues for your entire work place. 99% of people are not going to inform you that your child is annoying and needs to leave immediately, save them the trouble of thinking it, and your boss questioning your desire for the job. I do however, believe that take your child to work day 1 day where all people can bring their child to work is a great option. The kids can see how work goes, what mom and dad do to put a roof over their head and food on the table, as well as inspire kids to find what they think is a "cool" job. Most importantly everyone at work can be prepared for the situation and there are lowered expectations for that day.

Why has this all of a sudden become a matter of national security? Don't we have bigger issues to worry about as a country?

Demonstrate to me EXACTLY how any one was in danger. My dad was a fireman. My brother got to slide down the pole (I was scared)....was that wrong? We got to climb on trucks..was that wrong? My mom was a 2nd grade teacher. I used to go in as a teen and read her kids books, help make bulletin boards or dittos and help correct papers just for fun (obviously she always reviewed them). Made me understand and appreciate what my parents were doing.

And to Alice...I seriously doubt the 911 operator had his kids answering emergency calls. And as to keeping your "sticky kids home"? Please suspend your "Oscar the Grouch" attitude for a moment and try, just try, to empathize with your co-workers who give 100% all the time and would just like a little JOY in sharing their carreers with their young children who still look at them as HEROES. We get so few years of being cool before we know nothing.

Bravo to you, Mr. Airtraffic controller. Shame on TODAY for making this a Federal case!

NBC reporter Tom Costello's pants are much too tight in the crotch on this one.

As are those of the FAA and other officials. For chrissake, the kid's Dad was right

there on the microphone. Go hunt for more underwear bombers!

As a Flight Attendant and someone who has been in the airline industry for 10 years I can say this is being hyped up wayyyy too much. The kid was supervised and only relaying info to planes just leaving their taxi lanes. Settle down people... and the media... again, another slow day??? That controller likely only had that one responsibility. Now, guiding planes in to land and controlling them on the outer perimeter is a completely different storey. But this perticular storey has been blown way out of control. And the Today show linked this issue with the Russian plane that went down with the kid at the controls.... completely irresponsible 'news' reporting. Just what we need... more fear. Thanx Tom and Meredeth!!!!

ATTORNEY FRED TECCE MUST HAVE GOTTEN HIS LICENSE OUT OF A "CRACKER JACK BOX!"

The Controller should have taken his kids to a training facility....let them play Air Controller with the simulators or bring them in to OBSERVE on his day off!!!! This isn't a video game with a joystick...what happened to "Pretending??" I can't believe so many people think that it was acceptable! But mostly I can't believe the controller thought it would be OK without any type of heads up to the pilots flying! I bet Mr. Tecce would say it is OK to "Take Your Kid To The Iraq War Day" too!

Teri, Disgusted In CA

What harm could have come from these kids with their father in ATC speaking a few words to the pilots ? The comparison Tom Costello made to the plane that crashed killing 74 people due to a pilot turning the controls over to his children was way out of line. These kids were not giving directions to change altitude, or flight plan. They were simply releasing planes to another dispatcher to be cleared for take off. I applaud the father for having the interest in his children, and so much pride in his job that he wanted to share it with them. The gentleman that you interviewed, Mark something, and who ever released this info to the media are the ones that should lose their jobs.

Phoebe 28, you must not be a very good listener or reader. None of the pilots that these children talked to were in the air. All communications were with planes that were being released to another dispatcher to taxi to position for take off. They were all on the ground !

from listening to the vid's it is apparent the children where only 'repeating' what they were told to say...so in that aspect they were being supervised not left 'alone'. we've gotten away from 'taking the kids to work' all they know is mom/dad leaves in the morning/night and returns. they have a job[whatever that is] they really have no idea what their parent does.. I myself worked at a place that had 'parent/kid' day and took mine to work yes it was a bit more to do but I felt it good for them to see what 'mom' did every day...they had a better appreciation of why mom was so tired and it showed them what a 'job' actually was... I think FAA and many ppl have went over the top on this...

As a high school teacher, back in the 70's, I don't think my pre-school kids would have been welcomed in my English classes. But, it was o-kay for coaches kids to go to gym classes with them (male coaches) that is. By the by, my time in teaching involved mimeo machines that have gone to some BIG landfill in the sky. Leave kids out of the workplace. They belong home or at some daycare facility where their every move can be safely monitored.

What is the big deal?? There is so much more important things going on to worry about then someone taking their kid to work.... Where I live there is a day where u bring your kids to work and everyone thinks it's great... Maybe more kids would stay in school and get an education if they saw what is out there for jobs, they my respect their parent more for the hard work they do as well... Leave it alone.. Hats off to the person who did this, it is not like the kid was by himself...

Rick

I agree with your comment.