McCain and Obama on air traffic control
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) recently asked the two presidential candidates about air traffic control plans and general aviation. As might be expected, John McCain, who actually knows how to fly a plane, and Barack Obama, who has only flown on planes piloted by others have different points of view.
Coming air traffic meltdown — don’t say we didn’t tell you so
In the midst of the financial meltdown that has frozen credit lines, slowed movement of capital through the system, brought massive financial and insurance firms to their knees and prompted the largest infusion of government action since the New Deal, journalists are asking themselves, “How could we have been so blindsided?” For the coming national air traffic meltdown, we’ll say in advance: “We told you so.”
FAA left without new funding by Congress, now lacks authority says GAO
If anyone wonders why our air traffic system is in a steady state of decay, take a look at recent action and inaction in Washington DC. The 110th Congress punted funding decisions to the incoming 111th Congress with a limited continuing resolution that expires in March 2009 and a GAO lawyer concluded recently that the FAA has no authority to auction slots at NYC airports.
Travel industry targets Democratic National Convention
While the world is focused on the drama of Barack Obama’s nomination as the Democratic candidate for president, there is furious lobbying and political business going on everyday away from the lenses of TV cameras and out of earshot of pundits discussing unity and polling data. Travel is a big part of this lobbying effort.
Internal memo details American flight cuts at LaGuardia
After the vociferous objections to caps and slot auctions at JFK and Newark from airline organizations, American Airlines has announced a dramatic cut in their LaGuardia flights and called on the Transportation Department to limit flights at LaGuardia.
Do something for New York airspace congestion now
To deal with New York’s chronic air traffic congestion problems, the Transportation Department has proposed flight caps and a novel auction for landing and take-off slots at JFK and Newark. But its approach has left the airlines howling.
Fear of flying vs. fear of firing
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Traffic Controllers are fighting again. This time the battle is over fear. The FAA wants to keep the flying public happy and confident in the air traffic system. The controllers want their fear of retribution limited when they report problems.
Avoiding Heathrow and JFK — it’s a lifestyle
Many of the article written these days about the soaring costs of oil are about how these increases will prompt American to change their behavior and drive less, buy smaller cars and think about mass transportation. In the travel world other factors can change behavior as well.
Finally, Senate schedules air traffic legislation
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he plans to bring the FAA reauthorization bill that has been stalled in committee up for a vote next week.
FedEx planes get too close
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what it is calling a serious air traffic control error at the Memphis airport last week. Two planes with similar flight numbers, 527 and 257, flew dangerously close to one another after take-off from separate runways.