Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 18
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
This is an ongoing problem. Every day; the Traffic Management Unit (TMU) assigns flow control. The problem is; the TMU doesn't always tell the controllers [they are] assigning flow control. We need to constantly look up at the ACE/IDS (Automated Surface Observing System Controller Equipment-Information Display System) to see if flow control is now on the board. We will receive our relief briefing; and there is no flow control listed; then all of a sudden; flow control will pop up on the board; the TMU will not tell us that [they are] having us issue flow control.A specific instance is today; I was getting a briefing on R5. [The briefer] noticed that flow control was in effect [for 15 minutes] at 10 miles in trail and 250 knots at JULLE. [The briefer] was not aware the TMU put in the flow control; nor was [the briefer] told; nor D5; nor R4. If the TMU is going to put flow control into the ACE/IDS; [they] need to tell us there is now flow control into Honolulu.This is an ongoing problem. The Traffic Management Coordinator does this daily; and it really should be part of [their] job to tell the controllers if [they] put in flow control. If we do not know there is flow control; we cannot issue the flow control. Communication at HCF has been a problem for years; and this behavior by the TMU does not make it any better.
Honolulu Center Controller reported that HCF's (Honolulu Control Facility) Traffic Management Unit does not always alert or inform the controllers about flow changes at HCF.