Narrative:

In the evening we had 7 controllers assigned to the facility. 3 were assigned to the tower; which meant only 2 position could be opened if they needed breaks. 4 were assigned to approach; which meant only 3 position could be opened if we needed breaks. Low ceilings were in the area; and lots of flow was implemented; which made it difficult for the tower and approach. This day's evening is one of our busiest evenings; and sometimes we need up to 6 position opened in approach. That evening we did; but instead worked them combined. The tower; with all of the flow; needed to have 3 position; if not 4; to keep things running smooth and safe. On 90% of our shifts; we need at a bare minimum 10 people here at mci. We are regularly running them with 8. I believe this is an unsafe situation; and unacceptable.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MCI CTLR VOICED CONCERN REGARDING LACK OF NEEDED STAFFING LEVELS.

Narrative: IN THE EVENING WE HAD 7 CTLRS ASSIGNED TO THE FACILITY. 3 WERE ASSIGNED TO THE TWR; WHICH MEANT ONLY 2 POS COULD BE OPENED IF THEY NEEDED BREAKS. 4 WERE ASSIGNED TO APCH; WHICH MEANT ONLY 3 POS COULD BE OPENED IF WE NEEDED BREAKS. LOW CEILINGS WERE IN THE AREA; AND LOTS OF FLOW WAS IMPLEMENTED; WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE TWR AND APCH. THIS DAY'S EVENING IS ONE OF OUR BUSIEST EVENINGS; AND SOMETIMES WE NEED UP TO 6 POS OPENED IN APCH. THAT EVENING WE DID; BUT INSTEAD WORKED THEM COMBINED. THE TWR; WITH ALL OF THE FLOW; NEEDED TO HAVE 3 POS; IF NOT 4; TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING SMOOTH AND SAFE. ON 90% OF OUR SHIFTS; WE NEED AT A BARE MINIMUM 10 PEOPLE HERE AT MCI. WE ARE REGULARLY RUNNING THEM WITH 8. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION; AND UNACCEPTABLE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.