Runway Incursion @ MDW, ATC error

[Phlux]

I’m just curious, if an investigation determines that a controller is at fault in a situation like this what severity of disciplinary action can he/she usually expect?  Reprimand, suspension, termination?

[mk]

It depends: Has the controller been involved in a chain of incidents of similarity? Was the local controller in training? 
Most likely a few computer based instruction courses and a detailed conversation with the QA department will be the outcome of the FAAs investigation.  NTSB decides what went wrong and how to fix it...FAA hands out punishmemt, re-training, etc.

[cessna157]

I'm not blaming the pilot, but if it was real time, then they definitely have a lack of situational awareness...like most crews. Especially if they were on the same frequency.

I'm not real sure what this is supposed to mean.  It seems to me that they had a great situational awareness, as they caught the mistake and avoided a potential disaster. 

Please explain why you think they had a lack of situational awareness.  And also please explain the "like most crews" addition.  I'm curious as to your arguement there.

[notaperfectpilot]

The NTSB has released their factual report.

http://www.avherald.com/h?article=4490d65e/0000&opt=0

The controller said, he was convinced he had cleared the 737 to hold short of runway 31R until he heard the tapes that confirmed he had cleared the 737 to cross runway 31R. The controller could not explain this action.

In reference to prior queries, this statement answers all...

[derekjackson]

This line is also telling:

"The NTSB released their factual report stating that a VIP arrival was planned later the day, which would effectively shut down the airport and thus put a lot of pressure onto the tower to get as many departures and arrivals through as possible."

When you are under pressure in this industry, mistakes are more likely to happen as history has shown us.