FAA Software Aims to Make Flights Easier

coondoggie writes "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this week expanded a program that it says will reduce flight delays during the peak summer season. The Airspace Flow Program gives airlines the option of either accepting delays for flights scheduled to fly through storms or flying longer routes to maneuver around them. The agency said that it rolled out a new software program that ensures airports impacted by bad weather receive the maximum number of flights that can safely fly to them."

Comments

If you asked me

[zappepcs]

I think they could make the whole flying experience better if they banned the TSA people from the security checkpoint... but that's just me. meh

Re:If you asked me

[Timesprout]

I was just thinking the same thing going thru the airport yesterday. It used to be a few security personnel at the metal detectors and at least they were courteous. Now there is a legion of staff, most of whom seem to have been recruited with a 'Would you like to be a petty tyrant?' ad and who speak to you with a 'do as I say or I will fuck your day up so badly' manner because an environment has been created where what they say goes. Travelling is enough of a nuisance without these prats trying to piss you off as well.

Re:If you asked me

[dnahelix1]

Off-topic to the original subject, but the TSA security just gets me agitated. I fly about once a month. First you show your id (which could be fake) and your boarding pass you printed at home (which could be fake). Then, ten feet later, you do it again. Why? who knows. Then I have to unpack. I take my router with me, chargers, ipod, camera, phone, laptop and the usual crap that goes with it. I usually pack them in a separate bag that goes in my carry-on, but have that bag out separately because then I don't have to go into the bag to get it out. Half the time, this causes an argument with the TSA person b/c I have now have too many bags. So I have to put the bag in the bag to get into screening only to have to pull it out again. The laptop has to be in a separate bin. The shoes have to come off, the sweater, laptop bag go in one bin. Then the carry-on bag. Now, let's not forget about the gels and liquids. They've literally spent four minutes telling me how I'm allowed a bigger bag. I tell them I don't need a bigger one, everything fits nicely in this small bag, thanks. They tell me again, I'm allowed a bigger bag. I roll my eyes. Let's remember the time where I had my inhalers without the prescription for them (it's usually on a box that the inhaler comes in) and they wanded it, swabed it, etc. I've had them look at my mascara and lip gloss with the utmost scrutiny, yet first-class people go by with their water bottles. So now, my stuff is in four bins, all over, they want my id and boarding pass, again (third time in probably 30 feet). I fly out of Chicago a lot and now it's winter and I had to take my shoes off so my socks are wet. I can't monitor my stuff because it's in four bins, they want to wand me for whatever reason (I didn't set the alarm off). They're going through my stuff, my feet are wet and now I get to pay $5 for a bottle of water that I could have filled for free. When I fly out of the small airport, they swab the bag there because it's only one flight going out at a time. If it sets off the detector, they call you up, you watch while they unpack your bag, stuff all over the place in plain view and then they shove it all back in the bag that took 2 hours to pack because it's Christmas. If you try and repack it to protect the breakables, they pitch a fit. And then, they want your ID and you to sign a form that says it's your bag. You ask for a copy of the form and what it's going to be used for and they won't tell you, just that it's for their 'records'. So let's review: They still don't know if I am me. My feet are wet, there's some slight public humiliation for underwear being thrown about, probably sick because I can't keep properly hydrated on the plane and I'm pretty sure I'm in some database that I will never be able to find out for why. We're really really safe now, aren't we?

Re:If you asked me

[maxume]

None of your 'pack smarter' tips would be necessary if the actual goal of the checkpoint was to make you safe. The problem is that the security is there to cover someones ass, and to make people feel safe. They don't need to check that you don't have big bottles of fluids, they need to be able to say they checked that you don't have big bottles of fluids.

The fact that it is just plain stupid makes it all the more objectionable.

Just moving the delay into the air

[PDMongo]

It seems like this is a partial response to the backlash of people getting stranded on planes on the ground during bad weather. Now the airlines have the option of putting the planes in the air, and flying the long way around to avoid the weather.

The end result is that people will still be spending more time in airliners.

Re:Just moving the delay into the air

[Timesprout]

It will mean longer flights but I guess the airlines feel it's less expensive to burn the extra fuel rather than deal with or compensate stranded and irate passengers.

Re:Just moving the delay into the air

[DigiShaman]

It will mean longer flights but I guess the airlines feel it's less expensive to burn the extra fuel rather than deal with or compensate stranded and irate passengers.

Last week, I took a flight from Shanghai to Xiamen (SSS airline). Due to air traffic issues, we were stranded on the ground for an hour or so. In fact, the same amount of time it would have taken to fly to Xiamen had we left as scheduled. Needless to say, one guy was shouting and yelling about this. You could also hear everyone's irate attitude toward this airline even through it wasn't there fault. Shit happens, and air traffic control is there to make our flights safer. Unfortunately, customers only view what's directly in front of them as the fault.

While I'm not in favor of burning more fuel, it just makes economic sense. It's worth the extra fuel expense to keep loyal customers. Besides, they'll just roll up the extra costs in the ticket price next time around.

Re:.ppt?

[idego]

Microsoft

Don't underestimate Mother Nature

[dpbsmith]

I do not like the idea of anything that give airlines an incentive to fly through storms.

There is a certain amount of hubris in the idea that we have tamed nature to that extent. It is not always obvious where the downdrafts are. Tornadoes, after all, begin inside clouds and are invisible until they start to pick up moisture, dirt, houses, etc.

On several occasions I've been on commercial flights that were hit by lightning while in flight. The times it happened, it was no big deal... but it shouldn't be taken for granted that it is never a big deal. Particularly with the increasing dependence of basic aircraft flight systems on electronics.

In other words

[Opportunist]

The terrorist of the future will fly first class. Since you simply CAN'T piss off an exec by not letting him get into the plane with his gadgets.

Re:(sorry)

[GigG]

"When I lie awake at 3:00 am, listening to large, low-flying jet aircraft as they roar directly over my house at full throttle, I will take comfort in that fact. After all, it's significant!"

When you bought your house did you not notice that huge place with the long strips of concrete? That was an airport.