Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
I was working Aircraft X; level at FL380 at the Patterson sector (98). I had issued Aircraft X holding instructions at the TORRR intersection and the aircraft was still a few miles from entering the hold.  Conflict alert began between my northwest bound Aircraft X and a southwest bound Aircraft Y.  Aircraft Y was showing in the descent out of about FL410 with FL350 as an assigned altitude. I checked with the sector in my area (88/78) if they were working Aircraft Y.  They said they had approved descending with Chicago Center (ZAU).  I then called G33 and asked if they were separating Aircraft Y from Aircraft X and they said yes.  I waited about one more minute before I decided I was not comfortable with the rate of descent from Aircraft Y since the two aircraft were directly head-on.  I then said over the 'shout' line that I was turning my Aircraft X left and they should not go right with Aircraft Y.  I turned Aircraft X 30 degrees left to ensure they would not hit.  I believe they achieved vertical separation with about 6.5 miles.  Aircraft X then reported that they had received a TCAS alert.  G33 never did point out Aircraft Y to the Patterson sector.
ZID Controller reports of observing an airborne conflict due to not being comfortable with the situation he was observing. Controller called the other area and told them to not turn their aircraft to the right as he was turning his to the left. Other sector did not point out an aircraft.