GA NOT TO BLAME FOR DELAYS

Bush administration propaganda? Could it be?


AOPA SAYS DOT STUDY PROVES GA NOT TO BLAME FOR DELAYS
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#195895)
Weather and the airlines' own scheduling practices continue to be
the major causes of flight delays, and they won't be fixed with
user fees or a modernized air traffic control system, according to
AOPA President Phil Boyer. In a news release, Boyer says a
Department of Transportation study shows that 40 percent of flight
delays are caused by weather and 25 percent by problems within the
airlines themselves, such as maintenance problems, crew shortages,
baggage delays and the like. AOPA dug deeper into the report to
analyze the 28 percent of delays attributable to National Airspace
System delays and found 17 airports where airlines over-schedule
flights.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#195895

I wonder what would happen if ATC diverted flights destined for
congested airline hub airports to reliever airports. Do you think the
air carriers might get the message?


FAA FOCUS ON NEXTGEN OBSCURES REAL ISSUES SAYS NATCA
(http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#195896)
The FAA's repeated reference to the need to modernize the air
traffic control system is a smokescreen designed to divert
attention from problems with the existing system, according to the
head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Pat
Forrey told a transportation forum in Dallas last week that while
controllers love new technology and embrace it at every chance,
poor morale and a severe staffing shortage are the most immediate
concerns. "So before we as a nation turn our full attention to
NextGen, and the future aviation system we hope to enjoy, we must
work to ensure that the system we have to use today remains the
safest in the world and one where no corners are cut in a foolish
rush to institute business agendas over safety practices," he
said.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#195896

From what I've read/heard of the FAA's push for NextGen ATC
technology, it would seem that they are using every propaganda tactic
they can think of to permit aircraft manufacturers and air carriers to
hijack the US ATC system (and imposing user fees and privatization)
under the guise of addressing the delays.

See if you don't agree:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/trans...ays_08-07.html
(audio and video are available)