No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Distraction
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors
I was working Local Control combined with Local Assist early in the shift. A Controller came in and was assigned to open up Local Control Assist. He came over to the position; plugged in; sat down and pulled out his cell phone hiding it between his legs to conceal it from the supervisor. He turned his cell phone on and looked at it as he told me he was ready. I asked him if he was really ready and he said he was; still looking at his cell phone. I asked again if he was really ready and he replied 'Yes; I am really ready;' as he looked toward me. I gave him the position relief briefing. After this he went back to looking at his cell phone. Workload was relatively light; but his web-surfing was still distracting to me and I was not happy that his attention was more focused on his cell phone than on the traffic. Do not allow cell phones in the control area.
Local Controller expressed concern and frustration with his fellow worker who continually used his/her cell phone even after multiple questions regarding readiness to work and attention to duties.