Originally Posted by
ewrbasedpilot
When USA Today publishes the "most delayed flights" (along with ontime rankings) they always seem to forget that ATC is responsible for the majority of them. The airlines can't make money if the flights are sitting on the ground and can't be released...
Delays occur for lots of reasons and it is inaccurate to lay blanket blame on ATC for most of them. At most major airports during peak periods more arrivals or departures are scheduled than the runways can physically accommodate. Visit a TRACON during an arrival push and you will see no wasted room on final, with additional aircraft holding, receiving enroute delays, or ground stopped at another airport. During periods of thunderstorm activity, ATC cannot compel pilots to fly into or near cells. Each aircraft will deviate on a path and distance the pilot feels comfortable, and each will be different. ATC cannot predict how each pilot will choose to fly in these situations so increased spacing will is used.
The US ATC system is the most efficient in the world. Constraints are not caused by controller performance. They are caused by too few runways, too few controllers, and adverse weather.
The Dash Rocks
DHC8 CA
Retired Controller