Narrative:

I was working sectors X and Y combined (on Y) when I was approached by a developmental controller that informed me that they would be starting to train on these positions. When the OJT-I arrived at the position; I proceeded to give a briefing. As I was conducting my 2 minute post brief observation of the positions; it was decided to split the positions for training because the IFR traffic was starting to build. I then proceeded to open up X while the OJT-I and developmental worked X and Y. After working out a situation; the trainee then took over X while I took over Y. Within 1 minute of assuming responsibility for Y; an aircraft called on my frequency wanting to know if they should switch to tower frequency. It was then; that I observed a primary/intermittent beacon target approximately 4 miles east of the airport. The developmental had issued a squawk code to this aircraft; but the aircraft was squawking intermittently. This information was not relayed to me before I took over the position (Y). This aircraft had entered inner charlie airspace without a hand off being completed from approach to tower. Recommendation; our approach procedures are designed based on a 2 sector operation. Thus; sectors X and Y need to be opened everyday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm when all of the VFR traffic is prevalent. If these 2 positions had already been de-combined; this situation would not have occurred. This facility has the mindset that it is better to wait until the traffic builds; then wait for someone to request the sectors be split; then try to find someone to open up the position. By this time it is usually too late.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller described an airspace incursion event listing the facility policy of waiting until traffic builds and controllers request for help before securing additional staffing.

Narrative: I was working Sectors X and Y combined (on Y) when I was approached by a developmental controller that informed me that they would be starting to train on these positions. When the OJT-I arrived at the position; I proceeded to give a briefing. As I was conducting my 2 minute post brief observation of the positions; it was decided to split the positions for training because the IFR traffic was starting to build. I then proceeded to open up X while the OJT-I and developmental worked X and Y. After working out a situation; the trainee then took over X while I took over Y. Within 1 minute of assuming responsibility for Y; an aircraft called on my frequency wanting to know if they should switch to Tower frequency. It was then; that I observed a primary/intermittent beacon target approximately 4 miles east of the airport. The developmental had issued a squawk code to this aircraft; but the aircraft was squawking intermittently. This information was not relayed to me before I took over the position (Y). This aircraft had entered inner Charlie airspace without a hand off being completed from Approach to Tower. Recommendation; our approach procedures are designed based on a 2 sector operation. Thus; Sectors X and Y need to be opened everyday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm when all of the VFR traffic is prevalent. If these 2 positions had already been de-combined; this situation would not have occurred. This facility has the mindset that it is better to wait until the traffic builds; then wait for someone to request the sectors be split; then try to find someone to open up the position. By this time it is usually too late.

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.