Narrative:

While working the data position; controller 1 was being vocal that there was no one on a break. Over and over repeating himself to anyone who would listen/hear him; no one was on a break. I asked if it were required that someone be on a break and he replied no. I thought this was the end of it. A few moments later; I answered an incoming call. During this call; controller 1 told controller 2 on tappa to combine it with fltrk. The specialist controller 2 did this as he thought controller 1 was relaying this from me. When my phone call concluded; I noticed and heard via headset; that tappa was being combined. I immediately said that I did not want these sectors combined and had it reopened. Controller 1 stood laughing next to his deviation with a book next to him appearing as though he was giving some instruction while pretending he did not know anything about it while controller 2 asked him why he said to combine it up. Controller 2 was quite mad about this and called controller 1 out. It is important to note that while combining and de-combining these sectors; aircraft X did not receive the service he should have and was vectored through the final at ric. Controller 1 may have been kidding around with what he said to controller 2 about combining the sectors up; but I do not find this to be funny at all. Controller 2 seemed quite upset over this. Cpc's that were in the room were telling controller 2 to 'never believe anything controller 1 says;' and 'lesson learned.' the action controller 1 took in making this kind of decision compromises the integrity and safety of the NAS and is undermining to the authority of the flm. Controller in charge refresher training.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PCT FLM describes a situation where a CPC tells another Controller to combine a sector to get someone out on a break. This was against the FLM's wishes.

Narrative: While working The Data position; Controller 1 was being vocal that there was no one on a break. Over and over repeating himself to anyone who would listen/hear him; no one was on a break. I asked if it were required that someone be on a break and he replied no. I thought this was the end of it. A few moments later; I answered an incoming call. During this call; Controller 1 told Controller 2 on TAPPA to combine it with FLTRK. The Specialist Controller 2 did this as he thought Controller 1 was relaying this from me. When my phone call concluded; I noticed and heard via headset; that TAPPA was being combined. I immediately said that I did not want these sectors combined and had it reopened. Controller 1 stood laughing next to his DEV with a book next to him appearing as though he was giving some instruction while pretending he did not know anything about it while Controller 2 asked him why he said to combine it up. Controller 2 was quite mad about this and called Controller 1 out. It is important to note that while combining and de-combining these sectors; Aircraft X did not receive the service he should have and was vectored through the final at RIC. Controller 1 may have been kidding around with what he said to Controller 2 about combining the sectors up; but I do not find this to be funny at all. Controller 2 seemed quite upset over this. CPC's that were in the room were telling Controller 2 to 'Never believe anything Controller 1 says;' and 'Lesson learned.' The action Controller 1 took in making this kind of decision compromises the integrity and safety of the NAS and is undermining to the authority of the FLM. CIC refresher training.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.