SikPilot,

The quick answer to this question is INSUBORDINATION, and that is grounds for immediate removal from the FAA.

FAA Management will advise Controllers to carry out any order that is given by a Supervisor or Operations Manager. Every time that I've asked a NATCA Officer this question, I have been advised to carry out the order and then talk about it or file a grievance later. We also have an Article in our Collective Bargaining Agreement that can be invoked under situations where a professional disagreement exists between the worker and a member of management. I'm not sure how that Article would work under the current FAA leadership.

I was working at SDF years ago when a BE58 took off from RWY 19 and lost an engine immediately after departure. This took place during the middle of a UPS outbound. The BE58 pilot said that he wanted to make an immediate tear-drop turn back to RWY 01 and land. I immediately canceled the takeoff clearance of a DAL B727... instructed a UPS B757 to exit the runway that he'd just received TIPH instrictions for... and cleared the BE58 to land RWY 01.

The Tower Supervisor ordered me to circle the BE58 to RWY 29 so as to not disrupt the UPS outbound. Being young, dumb and foolish -- I told the Supervisor to go pound sand.

After the BE58 landed, I was immediately relieved of my duties in the Tower Cab and instructed to report to the Air Traffic Manager's office. The ATM asked me what happened. He asked the Supervisor what happened. I was then informed that I had been insubordinate to the Supervisor and that I could be terminated. The ATM told me that I had made the right decision in this instance, but to never disobey an order from a Supervisor again.

If we go against an order from FAA Management, we are walking along dangerous ground.

MEM_ATC