[CrackMonkey] [gkm@petting-zoo.net: Control tower left unstaffed as aircraft circled]

[Nick Moffitt]

Goddamn kiwis don't know how to use a fscking catheter.

----- Forwarded message from glen mccready <gkm at petting-zoo.net> -----
Forwarded-by: William Knowles <wk at c4i.org>

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/04/19/unstaffedairport.ap/index.html?s=8

April 19, 2001
Web posted at: 10:39 AM EDT (1439 GMT)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- Ten aircraft were forced to circle New
Zealand's busiest airport while the only air traffic controller on
duty took a rest break.

The planes were in no danger -- they just could not land at the
Auckland airport for about 25 minutes on Wednesday, Airways Corp.
chief operating officer Ashley Smout said Thursday.

Two controllers were out sick, a replacement controller was stuck in
traffic and the only controller on duty had to take a break, officials
said.

The staffer "absolutely had to have his break after working three
continuous hours," spokeswoman Heather Hayden said. "It really is
unusual."

Pilots of circling planes were informed and takeoffs halted as air
control was shut down. Air traffic control in Christchurch continued
its radar monitoring of the area. But had an aircraft needed to make
an emergency landing, the pilot would have been no help from the
tower.

"Everything possible is being done to ensure this very rare occurrence
does not happen again," Smout said.

----- End forwarded message -----

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