Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Workload; Fatigue; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Staffing; Airspace Structure; Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
I was vectoring the 10C Final from the Z position when I heard we were going to transition to east flow. This is normally a routine thing here at C90 that involves the Arrival FLM (Front Line Manager) and the MAC (Main Arrival Coordinator) doing lots of coordinating and relaying of information in order to provide a smooth exit from one flow and smooth entry into the new flow. That didn't happen this day. We usually try to get off all of the runways around the same time in order to have a clean transition; but for some reason the other two runways in use were done with aircraft and I was still getting handed airplanes for 10C. One aircraft in particular which would normally come over my fix (SHAIN); ended up coming in the feeder's airspace. I had already taken the hand-off from the Center and then the airplane started taking a different track. No one told me I wasn't going to get this airplane initially. I assumed since I was very busy vectoring while everyone else pretty much relaxed; that he must be going to the new flow runway and I would be allowed to finish up. However; he came into our airspace at an unexpected altitude and I began to think maybe I should have him; but no one was saying anything. At this same time; my ATPA (Automated Terminal Proximity Alert) was shut off when I still had an estimated 10 plus aircraft to vector into runway 10C; at least 3 of those were heavies. I also had to ask if many of the aircraft flashing at me were supposed to land 10C versus the new flow runways; and to my surprise; I was told they were all coming to 10C; even though the ATPA had been shut off. I had to holler out for people to slow airplanes accordingly because no one seemed to understand what was going on. I then reentered the ATPA setting so I could run a safe and efficient final. Once I put the last aircraft on the 10C final; I changed my STARS (Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System) setting to get set up for the new flow. Much to my surprise; I found multiple aircraft already in my west flow airspace all flashing at me and slowed way back. I still had 4 aircraft on final for 10C; the last 2 doing 160 knots. It was going to be a few minutes before that runway was clear. My new west flow runway was 27L; and I had aircraft in the downwind that were ready to go in; and I asked for clarification on whether or not it would be considered opposite direction to bring in the 27L traffic with 10C traffic still on final. There was discussion going both ways on this; but no one really spoke up. I would expect the arrival FLM to provide solid guidance in this situation; and ideally we would have never been put in this situation had things been coordinated smoother to begin with. Finally; the TMU (Traffic Management Unit) guy yelled out that it was OK when I yelled out for an official ruling. I then realized that the arrival FLM; who is normally our STMC (Supervisory Traffic Management Coordinator); but due to lack of staffing here at C90; they have assigned him FLM duties without proper training. Later I found out he only got 2 days of training on the arrival FLM position; and this is a guy that is not checked out to work any arrival traffic in our airspace. [Because of] the extremely early ATPA change made since now; since he was just told the basics of runway changes; he doesn't understand how it affects the controllers directly. We need to staff this facility accordingly. Our shifts are routinely short and in turn; management has been running us over 2 hours on position and not giving us appropriate breaks. The fatigue factor is extremely high here and I believe that may have contributed to lack of coordination during this event. The fact that we had an individual supervising the arrival line without proper training is a direct result of management not staffing the facility. If you want to go deeper you can take a look at recent supervisor check outs here and you'll see people using up all their allotted hours; and then some; and then certifying only to have issues almost immediately after. Our ATM and OM's do not respect the work we do here at C90 and believe they can keep pushing us to extremes. The safety culture here is nonexistent. They look to close positions that should be open; just to get through the shift without using overtime. They have covered up significant events in order to prevent a spotlight being brought onto their terrible decision making. I am greatly concerned as we approach what is traditionally an extremely busy time here. We asked for more staffing for this time period and the agency denied us. Controllers have reached their breaking point and the fatigue is going to crack us. Please help before something serious happens.
C90 controller reported lack of staffing; organization; and inexperienced management created an unsafe situation when changing traffic flow.