I love the AP reporting

"flying under manual control"

"manual take-off's"

First off, the terminology here is hidious. The flying is in a "non-radar" environment, just like the old days(which I was never part of). It's not necessarily unsafe, it just means more gaps between aircraft, and more communications because there will be mandatory reporting points each aircraft has to report crossing. Same goes with the "manual" take-offs. Since there's lack of coverage, they have to space things out further. It doesn't mean it's not safe, just means the pilots actually have to work harder.

Finally the one mention that two planes crossed at 300 yds. 300yds is 900ft, which with a fudge factor and inconsitency would mean that the planes were properly spaced for traffic seperation at 1000ft.

That's just my interpretation of the article. Although I'm sure the negativity will hopefully get some fires going under some officials bums, I think that it needs to be reported factually with proper terminology. Feel free to disagree, it's just what I'm thinking as I read it.