IF TECHNOLOGY IS SO ADVANCED ....

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

WHY are there still so many accidents at airports?

Isn't every plane tracked with every move it makes?

Isn't everyone "plugged in" to the air traffic controllers?

If everything is computerized, why do we even still need air traffic controllers?

(Apologies to air traffic controllers. This thread isn't to disparage any airport employees.)

What are your thoughts on airport safety problems?

WHY aren't these accidents preventable?

Coastalcarolina · ‎04-02-2015

Maybe this doesn't apply, but the amount of aircraft in the skies frightens me. They say it is only going to get worse.

It is beyond me how they can keep everyone safe on any given day.

LizzieInSRQ · ‎12-27-2010

@Tinkrbl44 there is still human error, weather, technical malfunction to account for

bellaartiste · ‎04-19-2012

There is a ton of stress with no, or few TSA at the airport right now, plus a low number of Air Traffic Controllers. There is only so much technology can do if there isn't enough staff.

Air Traffic controllers since September 2024 are down by a whopping 40%. I am flying in the next couple of weeks, and yes I am worried.

rms1954 · ‎06-06-2019

Nothing is perfect -- even technology.

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

Technology is only as good as its users.

lynnie61 · ‎04-28-2010

My brother is a retired air traffic controller. My ex Sister in law is still an air trafffic controller. Years ago, it was a stressful job, I believe, even years since my brother retired, I'm sure its much worse. Usually air traffic controllers can get out early with great pensions, but they have asked my SIL to keep extending her stay. She is 58, usually gone long before then. They both started in their 20's. I'm sure there must have been some great benefits or great incentives, or big bonuses or bigger, better perks to get her to stay.

I rarely fly anymore. Still the best way to go. I saw tonight on the news a guy at the airport (I missed which one, maybe Atlanta). Was at the airport 5 hours before his flight, and he still missed it due to TSA lines. How pathetic and stressful.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

@Tinkrbl44 I agree! This is especially true with the great advances in AI technology. Think about it....We can shoot a missle thousands of miles away and hit a single target building precisely! It's amazing....surely they could build a system, then, to guide airplanes to a safe landing without hitting each other or a truck. Maybe Elon should focus on that for a while.

RetiredATC · ‎03-30-2010

I'm a retired Air Traffic Controller, have a pilot's license, and my answers are based on that.

1. At the risk of sounding condesending--accidents happen at airports because that's where the highest concentration of airplanes are. If you are asking specifically about the LGA accident---it happened at night, there had been another emergency. Aircraft and vehicles are operating with steady, and flashing white and red lights on them, and the white, blue, amber and red flashing and steady lights of the airport lighting, sometimes it is hard to make out exactly where things are within the sea of lights. To understand this, go to an airport at night and try to figure out where things are. I'm still amazed that pilots find taxiways at night at the busy airports.

2. Not all airplanes are tracked with every move it makes. Vehicles may not, also. The airport needs special radar (not at all airpotts) to track aircraft and vehicles on the ground.

3. I don't understand your third comment. If you are trying to say that everyone has a radio to hear air traffic controllers, if they are operating on the airport surface of most areas, they are supposed to have 2-way communications, at all times. My guess is that the emergency equipment either turned down the radio or there was too much background noise in the vehicle to hear the controller telling them to stop. Also, there are possiblities of radio failure.

4. No way would I go in an airplane it the system was totally automated. Technology is not always better. Too hard and long to explain this in a paragraph.

5. Unless it's a mechanical failure, unfortunately, most accidents have a human factor in them.

I understand you're not attacking airport personel, and it is good to ask questions.