Narrative:

I was working as cab coordinator (cc) during IFR conditions due to snow; low visibility; and low ceilings. At the time I took the position; visibility was being reported at 1/2 mile by the tower and ceiling about 600 ft. As I got settled in; I glanced around and I observed that the weather trend was improving and my first notification to the tower controller; who makes the decision as to what the tower visibility is; and informed him that visibility was approaching a mile. If I had been on local; that would have been my call; 1 mile. My observation was quickly laughed at by the tower controller who basically said that 'it's good as long as it's at least 1/2 mile'; whereas I stated that I disagree because other aircraft may be holding or not departing for our airport because they require higher minimums. The supervisor was sitting next to me during this conversation. They were reluctant to change the visibility because it would generate a 'special observation'; and that would then also require a new ATIS. Then it was time for the new weather. We were still showing 1/2 mile tower visibility so that is what went out for dissemination but the problem was that the visibility was up to 1 1/2 miles. The ground controller who was working flight data/clearance deliver combined made no effort to ask the local controller as the new weather time approached to see what the visibility should be. He cut the ATIS with 1/2 mile and then got relieved. The new relieving controller was told by the controller being relieved that 'it looks to be better than 1/2' then proceeds to sit down and do nothing about it. I again asked for local to look out the window and revise the visibility because it was now at least 2 miles but it was still met with resistance and the supervisor was fully aware of the conversation I was having and he took no initiative to make the change. I was then told to take a break which I did. I do not know when or how long after I left that they finally changed the weather sequence. Recommendation; I get real frustrated at work because I have to deal with a lot of lazy controllers and supervisors. There is a huge lack of professionalism at this airport. Many services are not provided to the pilots only due to the fact that it would actually mean that the controller would have to do their job. Example: the majority of controllers will never approve an aircraft to fly the ILS 35R approach IFR while we are departing runway 17L regardless of the traffic level or weather even when the weather is crystal clear and visibility is well over 100 miles. The controller's response [is]; I don't want to deal with it or have to watch it. The same type of work ethic is at work in this situation as well; if I change the weather; it will require me to cut a new ATIS and I don't want to or I don't want to have to bother the flight data/clearance delivery person to do it. Pilots make decisions about flying based on forecast and actual conditions. Forecasts are made and then changed based on actual conditions. If we are not bothering to report the true actual conditions; then the rest of the system will be affected. Pilots will remain grounded or divert to other airports and forecasts will be amended because they must have been wrong when they first thought the weather was going to improve and then it didn't; even though it actually did. I am an advocate for the pilots but most controllers I work with will say they hate pilots. I see controllers everyday who take very little pride in their job.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Controller provided detailed concerns regarding the failed actions of fellow controllers/supervisors to properly update changing weather conditions; the reporter questioning the facility controller pride.

Narrative: I was working as Cab Coordinator (CC) during IFR conditions due to snow; low visibility; and low ceilings. At the time I took the position; visibility was being reported at 1/2 mile by the Tower and ceiling about 600 FT. As I got settled in; I glanced around and I observed that the weather trend was improving and my first notification to the Tower Controller; who makes the decision as to what the Tower visibility is; and informed him that visibility was approaching a mile. If I had been on Local; that would have been my call; 1 mile. My observation was quickly laughed at by the Tower Controller who basically said that 'It's good as long as it's at least 1/2 mile'; whereas I stated that I disagree because other aircraft may be holding or not departing for our airport because they require higher minimums. The Supervisor was sitting next to me during this conversation. They were reluctant to change the visibility because it would generate a 'Special Observation'; and that would then also require a new ATIS. Then it was time for the new weather. We were still showing 1/2 mile Tower visibility so that is what went out for dissemination but the problem was that the visibility was up to 1 1/2 miles. The Ground Controller who was working Flight Data/Clearance Deliver combined made no effort to ask the Local Controller as the new weather time approached to see what the visibility should be. He cut the ATIS with 1/2 mile and then got relieved. The new relieving Controller was told by the Controller being relieved that 'It looks to be better than 1/2' then proceeds to sit down and do nothing about it. I again asked for Local to look out the window and revise the visibility because it was now at least 2 miles but it was still met with resistance and the Supervisor was fully aware of the conversation I was having and he took no initiative to make the change. I was then told to take a break which I did. I do not know when or how long after I left that they finally changed the weather sequence. Recommendation; I get real frustrated at work because I have to deal with a lot of lazy controllers and supervisors. There is a huge lack of professionalism at this airport. Many services are not provided to the pilots only due to the fact that it would actually mean that the controller would have to do their job. Example: the majority of controllers will never approve an aircraft to fly the ILS 35R approach IFR while we are departing Runway 17L regardless of the traffic level or weather even when the weather is crystal clear and visibility is well over 100 miles. The controller's response [is]; I don't want to deal with it or have to watch it. The same type of work ethic is at work in this situation as well; if I change the weather; it will require me to cut a new ATIS and I don't want to or I don't want to have to bother the Flight Data/Clearance Delivery person to do it. Pilots make decisions about flying based on forecast and actual conditions. Forecasts are made and then changed based on actual conditions. If we are not bothering to report the true actual conditions; then the rest of the system will be affected. Pilots will remain grounded or divert to other airports and forecasts will be amended because they must have been wrong when they first thought the weather was going to improve and then it didn't; even though it actually did. I am an advocate for the pilots but most controllers I work with will say they hate pilots. I see controllers everyday who take very little pride in their job.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.