ZDC controller described an uncertain coordination event when sequencing instructions were apparentl...

Narrative:

I was providing OJT on hopewell sector (R-16) to a certified professional controller from another area in order to move the sector to another area. Sector R-36 called us to inform us that; at the direction of someone; he was not sure who a supervisor or tmu; was told to put aircraft X on a 320 degree heading. He did not know why. We were also not informed of the reason. The heading caused aircraft X to be excessively delayed enroute to teb. Further; the heading caused this aircraft to be forced with several citation jets that were much slower all the way to teb. The smart thing; and the preferred action; would have been to leave aircraft X on the route; in front; and allow his greater airspeed to pull out in front. The actions by this unknown person caused us at hopewell to work much harder than we had to; and caused an unnecessary delay to an aircraft. Further; it is extremely dangerous for someone to initiate an action affecting air traffic without coordinating with all involved sectors. Recommendation; if a supervisor wants to initiate actions affecting an aircraft; they first need to coordinate and get the concurrence of the fpl's involved. Second if they do take action they should be aware that they assume responsibility for that action and everyone should know who did it.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZDC Controller described an uncertain coordination event when sequencing instructions were apparently given by an unidentified Supervisor or Traffic Manager that were less than effective.

Narrative: I was providing OJT on Hopewell Sector (R-16) to a Certified Professional Controller from another area in order to move the sector to another area. Sector R-36 called us to inform us that; at the direction of someone; he was not sure who a Supervisor or TMU; was told to put Aircraft X on a 320 degree heading. He did not know why. We were also not informed of the reason. The heading caused Aircraft X to be excessively delayed enroute to TEB. Further; the heading caused this aircraft to be forced with several Citation jets that were much slower all the way to TEB. The smart thing; and the preferred action; would have been to leave Aircraft X on the route; in front; and allow his greater airspeed to pull out in front. The actions by this unknown person caused us at Hopewell to work much harder than we had to; and caused an unnecessary delay to an aircraft. Further; it is extremely dangerous for someone to initiate an action affecting air traffic without coordinating with all involved sectors. Recommendation; if a Supervisor wants to initiate actions affecting an aircraft; they first need to coordinate and get the concurrence of the FPL's involved. Second if they do take action they should be aware that they assume responsibility for that action and everyone should know who did it.

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.

Attributes
ACN	923280
Time
Date	201012
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZDC.ARTCC
State Reference	VA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Challenger Jet Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Enroute Instructor
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

ZDC controller described an uncertain coordination event when sequencing instructions were apparently given by an unidentified supervisor or traffic manager that were less than effective.