MKC Controller voiced concern regarding the Conflict Alert (CA/CA) and it's viability; noting distractions caused by constant unnecessary alerts.

Narrative

The PA44 was on a straight-in to Runway 01; on about a 1 1/2 mile final. The helicopter was doing left traffic pattern work to the intersecting runway; Runway 03; but he was only using half the runway and was holding short of Runway 01. At the moment of the erroneous Conflict Alert; the helicopter was on a down wind for Runway 03 and abeam the numbers. This means that he was at least 2 miles laterally from the PA44; and this distance was increasing. The computer did not know the helicopter would soon turn base; so there's no reason for the computer to even think that the aircraft were a factor for each other at all. Good grief; 2 miles and increasing; 300 FT and increasing; and then the CA/CA goes off? And on another day targets will merge with a scant 100 FT and an 'I got him in sight' and the alarm will never go off. The CA/CA in the terminal environment is completely useless. I cannot remember if MCI called on this one or not. Sometimes they call; sometimes they don't. At this point it doesn't matter whether they do or not because we know they're required to; so we're anticipating the call every time the MSAW or CA/CA sounds; and anticipating having to answer it so they'll shut up. Therefore; the mental distraction occurs by default either way. It's just worse when they call; because then they also step over live traffic. Recommendation; 1) The Centers have an awesome CA/CA system. Why can't we have a program like that one? It works great; with only a couple very rare situations that generate anomalies. 2) The MCI SOP paragraph 2-1-6; sentence 2; which requires MCI controllers to call MKC on the shout line every single time one of these erroneous alarms occurs; is an unsafe and uselessly distracting requirement; and needs to be stricken immediately. Think of it; it's the best of both worlds: controllers aren't distracted by shout line clutter on MKC's end; and controllers aren't required to make what they know are stupid shout line calls on MCI's end; and the management folks get to 'err on the side of safety' over and over again. What could be better? Seriously; you guys should have them try this out for 30 days. We'll see just how committed they are to 'safety.'