Narrative:

I climbed aircraft X to T290 (aircraft requested FL360) and flashed it through to ind (89). That controller took the handoff. I did not switch aircraft X to ind frequency yet and after a few moments realized that the ind controller changed the data block to show that the aircraft was climbing to T350 and began to hand-off the aircraft to ZAU/G34. That controller never called to coordinate anything and the d-side wheeled over to me (neglected to use the land-line) and asked if I was climbing aircraft X to FL350 because ZAU wanted it stopped at FL340. I told him that I only climbed aircraft X to FL290 like I am supposed to do. I just switched aircraft X to ind frequency so they could climb to whatever was needed. There are many who go against procedure and change the data blocks of aircraft before they even are talking to them. This is a major safety concern because it causes confusion as to who is actually working the aircraft. Many are creating 'flash-through' procedures that are not in writing. This keeps reoccurring especially with certain crews and even new trainees are being told to do this. Supervisors claim that they tell people not to 'pre-load' the data blocks and still the controllers continue to do it. I really don't know how to stop this.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZID Center Controller reported he handed off an aircraft to the next sector; but kept the aircraft on his frequency. During this time the next Controller was editing the data blocks causing confusion to who was actually working the aircraft. Controller also stated many are creating 'flash through' procedures that are not in the SOP/LOA.

Narrative: I climbed Aircraft X to T290 (aircraft requested FL360) and flashed it through to IND (89). That controller took the handoff. I did not switch Aircraft X to IND frequency yet and after a few moments realized that the IND controller changed the data block to show that the aircraft was climbing to T350 and began to hand-off the aircraft to ZAU/G34. That controller never called to coordinate anything and the D-side wheeled over to me (neglected to use the land-line) and asked if I was climbing Aircraft X to FL350 because ZAU wanted it stopped at FL340. I told him that I only climbed Aircraft X to FL290 like I am supposed to do. I just switched Aircraft X to IND frequency so they could climb to whatever was needed. There are many who go against procedure and change the data blocks of aircraft before they even are talking to them. This is a major safety concern because it causes confusion as to who is actually working the aircraft. Many are creating 'flash-through' procedures that are not in writing. This keeps reoccurring especially with certain crews and even new trainees are being told to do this. Supervisors claim that they tell people not to 'pre-load' the data blocks and still the controllers continue to do it. I really don't know how to stop this.

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.