B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5.6
Human-Machine Interface; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Human Factors; Procedure
Working sec 15 BGD LO; Aircraft X was handing off to me with (-MERVY) in the fourth line of the data block. Unaware of what that meant; to my knowledge it was not approved fourth line data. I called ZFW 47 Falls High and inquired of what that meant. He then told me that it meant he was direct MERVY; I said roger and hung up. I then took the handoff and inquired the aircraft to where he was proceeding direct to; the flight plan was showing that he was direct AMA; Aircraft X told me he was going to MERVY and I asked him to spell it; he said 'roger MIRVE;' I then realized what the fix was and updated the flight plan. Controllers need to stop making up fourth line data and use approved fourth line data; this seems very common now days for controllers to do this; and it actually makes it more difficult and takes more time than if you would just call and verbally coordinate.
ZAB Controller saw something in the fourth line of the data block that he did not know the meaning of. Reporter called other Controller and was told. Controller then received aircraft on frequency and asked where it was going. Reporter then had pilot spell the name. Reporter then knew where the aircraft was going. Due to misspelled intersection; Controller had no idea where the aircraft was going. Controller wants people to stop putting information in the fourth block unless it is approved.