Narrative:

A certification was being conducted; expecting an increase in traffic. This situation involved three facilities; milwaukee approach (mke) and chicago approach (C90) and chicago center (ZAU) in the kenosha departure tracks. The procedure for props departing ord north bound is a three step process. First; C90 works the prop into the proper departure track and climbs to 110 on a vector north and hands off to mke approach; then transfers communication to mke when no faster traffic behind is a factor. Second; when the prop is clear of the departure box; mke approach climbs the prop to 130. Finally; mke will switch the aircraft to ZAU after they climb north of the departure box. The departure boxes exist in mke's airspace from 110 to 130. The hand off's on both a B777 and a PA46 were completed and a couple minutes later; the radar controller was talking to the B777 but to the PA46. The B777 checked on with a speed assignment and requested normal speed. Normal speed was issued and the radar controller moved on to do a couple of point outs. The B777 crossed the stateline at about 118 and normally this will easily clear the north part of the departure box. After one or two more transmissions the radar controller noticed the PA46 climbing; and I believe the PA46 checked on about this time as well; the radar controller asked the B777 to expedite and report 140; the B777 almost immediately reported passing 140 at about the northern part of the departure box. Recommendation; the departure boxes are below harly's airspace so have the originating facility do the point outs for slow climbers; eliminate the departure box in mke's airspace; aircraft assigned a speed to help clear the northern part of the departure box. About 5 minutes after this situation; another aircraft was approaching the top of the departure box at about 135-140 and the controller made several shouts to mke for a possible point out with no answer. The aircraft cleared the top of the box but this is a regular occurrence during busy pushes.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZAU Controller described an unsafe event when ORD departure traffic; utilizing the three facility departure box; required extensive coordination with adjacent facilities; the reporter suggested needed changes to the procedure.

Narrative: A certification was being conducted; expecting an increase in traffic. This situation involved three facilities; Milwaukee Approach (MKE) and Chicago Approach (C90) and Chicago Center (ZAU) in the Kenosha Departure tracks. The procedure for props departing ORD north bound is a three step process. First; C90 works the prop into the proper departure track and climbs to 110 on a vector north and hands off to MKE Approach; then transfers communication to MKE when no faster traffic behind is a factor. Second; when the prop is clear of the departure box; MKE Approach climbs the prop to 130. Finally; MKE will switch the aircraft to ZAU after they climb north of the departure box. The departure boxes exist in MKE's airspace from 110 to 130. The hand off's on both a B777 and a PA46 were completed and a couple minutes later; the RADAR Controller was talking to the B777 but to the PA46. The B777 checked on with a speed assignment and requested normal speed. Normal speed was issued and the RADAR Controller moved on to do a couple of point outs. The B777 crossed the Stateline at about 118 and normally this will easily clear the north part of the departure box. After one or two more transmissions the RADAR Controller noticed the PA46 climbing; and I believe the PA46 checked on about this time as well; the RADAR Controller asked the B777 to expedite and report 140; the B777 almost immediately reported passing 140 at about the northern part of the departure box. Recommendation; the departure boxes are below Harly's airspace so have the originating facility do the point outs for slow climbers; eliminate the departure box in MKE's airspace; aircraft assigned a speed to help clear the northern part of the departure box. About 5 minutes after this situation; another aircraft was approaching the top of the departure box at about 135-140 and the Controller made several shouts to MKE for a possible point out with no answer. The aircraft cleared the top of the box but this is a regular occurrence during busy pushes.

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.