B777-200
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
The last two days we have had winds that were too strong for normal operations. We have had to depart 22L with 95% of our aircraft due to a strong crosswind of 200 degrees at 30 KTS with gusts near 40. Also we have been landing 22L; 22R and 14L. Many 14L arrivals have bolted as well. The 22L arrivals have to cross Runway 28 at some point to get to the terminal. The management here has mandated that in order to cross Runway 28 there must be a monitor watching the Local Controller working that runway; witch has virtually no departures; except for a very few that will take the crosswind. This; for starters is ridiculous. The Local Controller working the 22L departures is buried with a lineup that frequently reaches 30 planes; feeding from two different taxiways; and also landing the same runway. The arrivals have to be given detailed instructions onto a new set of taxiways that most are unfamiliar with. I had departed a heavy B777 on 22L; an arrival had landed; and usually that is plenty of time to ensure a good five mile gap for wake turbulence with the next departure. My next departure lifted; and frankly; I am not sure I had the required separation. I was too busy to tell. The B777 climbed out so slowly that I had to do a double take. During times like this; when landing and departing 22L; and Runway 28 is not an option for most aircraft; the other Local Controller (the one working 14R arrivals and a very few 28 departures) is NOT the one who needs an extra set of eyes. The 22L Controller REALLY needs someone to help sequence; ensure a clear runway; and help ensure departure separation especially at night; which this was. It is difficult to see down there when it's dark; we need the ASDE-X to help ensure the aircraft exit where we need; and we also have to keep our heads up and out the window to watch the departures vs. the arrivals. Earlier in the day there was an abort in front of an arrival; and the Controller was so busy that the other Tower personnel had to alert the Controller of the situation who then sent the arrival around on very short final. He was buried; as I was tonight. The 22L Controller needs the extra eyes when traffic is heavy landing and departing that runway.
ORD Controller described a possible loss of wake turbulence separation with two departing aircraft during an unusual departure runway procedure caused by very strong surface winds.