Mike,
The following rant is not directed toward you. You have a project to do for academic achievement. I do kindly request that you pass this posting on to your adviser and FAA representation with whom you may communicate.
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Ideas are great and technology is a tool, but why do the same number of passengers today, versus 7 years ago requires additional 15 percent or more aircraft? The odds of hitting a target are increased tremendously by the increased number of targets!
Sounds like "Technology" is the Viagra for limited runway capacity! Pun intended. Most of the airlines want the FAA and the taxpayers to keep them up! Capacity has to be determined and the limits on the number of operations determined accordingly. Technology should be used to increase the margin of safety, BEFORE increasing capacity or justifying current over capacity operations.
Airlines have created this mess, by shifting operations to the RJs and using them on hi density routes and not in thin feeder operations. Three or more RJs take the place of one B757. Two RJs for each B737 or A320 series makes for a lot of increase in ground based traffic. This move has also increased the fuel used and thus "Green House Gas" emissions, more ground equipment, and more ground movements in the ramp and taxiway areas. What happened to the grasp of the "Economies of Scale"?
If this move by the Majors was to save money, then why have most sought bankruptcy protection, chopped wages, defaulted on loans and gotten federal monies. This was to break the unions and shed responsibility.
On-time departures have dropped, ground movements increased, handling capacities exceeded, and no one is doing a root cause analysis!?! IS this the usual "We don't like the answer, so we will change the math problem"?
The use of satellite airports, increase of controller staff, and slot assignments for carrier operations at high density airports and routes will improve the current condition until further growth and capacity are realized at major airports.
Pushing back on the NIMBY groups that have encroached on airport properties is the best way possible to have growth in the physical capacity of current facilities. Too many airports have been either eliminated or have had operations negatively impacted by noisy groups that moved to the area around said airports, after they were built and operational. Its funny that the whining of a few groups is louder than a Stage 2 or 3 jet!
Thoughts to consider and to pass on.
Thank you.
Frustrated aircraft operator.
