Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Manuals; Human Factors; Company Policy; Airspace Structure; Procedure
I was working Local Control when the Arrival Controller called over and said that we are hold for release; because they were bringing in Aircraft Y for Runway 11L circle to Runway 29R. I called the Arrival Controller and stated that I was already talking to Aircraft X and asked if they wanted Aircraft X to continue inbound. The arrival controller said yes. I questioned the Arrival Controller because I thought we needed 10 miles between opposite direction arrivals. The Arrival Controller stated that we didn't need 10 miles between arrivals because Aircraft Y wasn't opposite direction because they were circling to the same runway.Our relationship with the TRACON has been really bad lately and we have had many issues with opposite direction rules and sequencing/separation. Usually when Tucson Tower does something to prevent a loss of separation due to opposite direction rules etc. the TRACON reads into the opposite direction guidance and says that we are misapplying the rules. Because of this I personally believe that the required separation is 10 miles however I could be wrong. Even if the rules say that this is legal it is not a safe practice.Opposite direction training is needed at both facilities. Sequencing has been an issue for a long time with Tucson TRACON and the culture here at Tucson Tower/TRACON is reactive rather than proactive. Separation and sequencing issues with arrivals have been brought up many times against Tucson TRACON and it always seems that the Tower controllers are looked upon as being weak and lazy.
ATC Tower Controller reported TRACON confusion on Opposite Direction Operations.