No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
A tractor wanted to cross Runway 6 at 'A' while I was working ground. The tractor lost radio contact. Car X; airport security; called and said; 'I am talking to the tractor; can he cross 6 at A.' I said 'no; go out there and escort him.' The car complained that they have been doing it this way for 20 years. The CIC told me just cross the tractor. We notified the Manager that it was not safe for us to relay a crossing to a tractor through airport security [that] may or may not be present at the airport. For all I know Car X was at the convenience store. Please change PNE policy to; 'If a vehicle is not in direct contact with the Tower and wants to cross a runway the vehicle should be escorted by a vehicle that is in 2 way contact with the Tower.' Please discontinue relaying info through airport security it is a recipe for disaster.
Tower Controller voiced concern regarding the issuance of a runway crossing clearance through a third party.