EMB ERJ 190/195 ER/LR
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
An E190 departed 18R on a 140 heading for the southeast departure gate. Prior to the E190 crossing the extended center line of 17L; I noticed a departure tag of a B757 off 17L turning to 220 heading for the west departure gate. The reported weather observation for the hour had a broken ceiling of 1;500. The Tower was providing 3 miles visual separation for arrivals from the north. I observed the two targets get within 1/2 mile in the departure climb/turn. I trust the Tower was using visual separation between the 2 aircraft; but because of the weather conditions and their close proximity to each other; I felt it was a safety issue. Withholding a departure clearance for a couple seconds when using crossing departure courses would ensure separation. Coordination with the departure (East and/or West) Controller would alleviate an inquiry of the procedure being used.
F11 Controller described a potential conflict event between successive departure from Runway 18R and Runway 17L; the reporter noting Tower Controllers should insure more separation with successive departures.