B737-800
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Yesterday; I was working Sector 20 and Aircraft X checked in at FL360 with a clearance to cross OSOGY at FL240. About 5 minutes later; Aircraft X advises that he was beginning his descent to FL240 and I rogered him. Out of nowhere conflict alert activates and I tell Aircraft X to amend altitude and maintain FL330. Aircraft X initially did not respond and I told him again amend altitude maintain FL330 and he responded. There was crossing traffic at his 11 to 12 o'clock and less than a mile at FL320 (Aircraft Y). Aircraft X had been given a descent clearance from the previous sector; Sector 2; to FL240 with converging traffic at FL320.I really think something needs to be done about the safety culture and the quality of air traffic controllers. The particular controller working Sector 2; this is not his first close call and I feel nowadays there's just no accountability or consequences for subpar performances. I had no idea that Aircraft Y was on a converging course with Aircraft X because my sector owns SFC-230 and I don't see limited data blocks until FL242. Needless to say; yesterday's close call scared the living hell out of me because it happened all of a sudden and again I had no idea that Aircraft X was there. It's Sector 2's responsibility to ensure all conflicts are resolved in their air stratum before transferring communications to my frequency. Again; this is this controller's second close call in less than a month! Something really needs to be done before her actions result in a catastrophic event!
ZMA Controller reported of a conflict between two aircraft. Controller received an aircraft with a conditional clearance to descend. Minutes later the pilot reports leaving cruise altitude for new altitude. Conflict alert immediately goes off due to traffic 2;000 feet below. Controller stops aircraft altitude and issues traffic. Reporter stated this all happened in another sector and should have been resolved first; before the transfer of communications.