Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Workload; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure
I was working a fairly busy and complex session at Malibu Radar. Some of the factors that assisted in the complexity were point outs to adjacent sectors; VFR aircraft having trouble staying clear of clouds; and LAX tower's coordination. The main issue with this session that has been a recurring situation is LAX towers coordination. While I was on the line with Point Mugu trying to accomplish a point out on an Aircraft Z that wasn't climbing well; LAX tower keys up in my ear and starts talking over myself and the controller at Point Mugu. I immediately told the tower 'unable' before hearing their request because it was obvious to me that they were calling to APPREQ the request they had flashing in the run down. The LAX tower controller insisted on getting answers on the line while I'm still trying to obtain a point out from Point Mugu before the aircraft gets too close to their airspace. I was left with no choice but to take control of my sector and talk over the LAX tower controller and confirm that Point Mugu had approved my point out. The point out was approved and both Point Mugu and LAX tower got off the line at the same time. This same situation happened again moments later. I had several aircraft I needed to talk to (i.e. radar identify; climb; turn on course; etc.) when LAX tower called to coordinated something else after already not complying with the LOA with Aircraft X. LAX tower keyed up in my ear once again and started talking immediately. I was already way too busy at this time to hear anything else from the tower; I just need the standard operating procedure from the tower. Before the situation in my airspace could become any more out of hand I told the tower to 'get out of my ear'. When the tower controller didn't listen and continued to talk in my ear; I ended up having to block them out as much as possible; talk over them; and continue trying to get my sector back in control. The tower ended up scrambling and stopping Aircraft Y at 2;000 feet below Aircraft X; since I didn't acknowledge Aircraft Y heading 235. Both of these aircraft were going over Gorman and Aircraft Y needed to climb above Aircraft X. So all this ended up doing was creating another problem.Tower's non-compliance with the LOA:Aircraft X was supposed to depart LAX on a 270 heading climbing to 3;000 feet unless it is previously coordinated. This aircraft departed on a 250 heading due to traffic departing SMO. Per the LOA any nonstandard coordination; should be accomplished before the aircraft becomes airborne; either verbal or via rundown patch. LAX tower operates on a daily basis by releasing aircraft for departure without getting acknowledgement from Approach beforehand in hopes they can call last minute and get an acknowledgment. In both situations during this session; neither request by the tower was acknowledged. LAX tower should have to obtain acknowledgement for any non-standard operation before the aircraft is cleared for takeoff. They also shouldn't be allowed to just key up in our ear and start talking over us. Their ability to just start talking in our ear is a risk to operational safety and a major distraction. Their need for coordination about aircraft on the ground shouldn't take priority over the aircraft we have airborne in our airspace.
SCT Departure Controller describes coordination problems with LAX Tower and the tower not following SOP.