SSR,
EVEN WHEN CONTROLERS ARE AWAKE
You keep saying this but it's not relevant to this situation is it. Yes it happens when they are awake. So what?
I appreciate that nobody was released for departure. Ok, so the TRACON guy who authorised, incorrectly and off the cuff, the uncontrolled option, was he the same guy who
would have given a release for a departure?
for the purpose of the discussion time of day would be unimportant.
That's just plain wrong. At night, even if I've been told he's on the runway it's difficult to spot another aircraft. Remind me what color tail lights are? Also, what color are runway lights? Would they both be white?!