Additional slots at DCA passes as part of language in U.S. Senate bill
Today, 3:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,836
Additional slots at DCA passes as part of language in U.S. Senate bill
https://thehill.com/homenews/4655051...a-slots-fight/
Now its onto the House to see what happens there - despite the efforts of the four Virginia / Maryland senators.
Now its onto the House to see what happens there - despite the efforts of the four Virginia / Maryland senators.
Today, 7:27 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,134
Quote:
The bicameral package also features a new requirement for the FAA to hire and train up to 3,000 new air traffic controllers, a provision to increase the cockpit voice recorder length from two to 25 hours and improve airway safety, and boosts the time frame individuals can use travel credits to at least five years.
It also does not boost the pilots retirement age from 65 to 67, which had been discussed, or include a provision that would have allowed members of Congress, judges and Cabinet members to receive security escorts if they are facing credible threats. Cruz was a leading proponent of that item.
Id.
The bicameral package also features a new requirement for the FAA to hire and train up to 3,000 new air traffic controllers, a provision to increase the cockpit voice recorder length from two to 25 hours and improve airway safety, and boosts the time frame individuals can use travel credits to at least five years.
It also does not boost the pilots retirement age from 65 to 67, which had been discussed, or include a provision that would have allowed members of Congress, judges and Cabinet members to receive security escorts if they are facing credible threats. Cruz was a leading proponent of that item.
Id.
Today, 10:23 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 25
DCA is my home airport and, because I live in the District, far more convenient for me than BWI or IAD, but the VA and MD Senators made a compelling case to me as to why this shouldn't proceed. The airport is already 10 million or so passengers per year beyond what it was built for, and the FAA estimates that adding an additional five round trip flights would increase delays by 725 minutes per day, for a total of 12,734 minutes of overall daily delay at DCA. This year, we're already at about 22% of all flights being delayed. Ad in a near crash on the intersecting runways last month, and I'm unconvinced this is a good idea.
Part of the problem is that DCA is both owned by the federal government (so Congress gets to determine the slots), and it is uniquely convenient to Capitol Hill. A lot of the existing exceptions to the 1,250 mile perimiter rule are owed to Members of Congress who want easy nonstops back to their states/districts. For example, Alaska Airlines has a daily morning and evening nonstop between DCA and SEA largely because the Washington State Congressional delegation saw to it. If you get on AA's evening flight from DCA to LAX on a fly-out day, you'll encounter numerous Congress members from Southern California, etc. etc. So it's possible this is a foregone conclusion and the slots are coming.
Part of the problem is that DCA is both owned by the federal government (so Congress gets to determine the slots), and it is uniquely convenient to Capitol Hill. A lot of the existing exceptions to the 1,250 mile perimiter rule are owed to Members of Congress who want easy nonstops back to their states/districts. For example, Alaska Airlines has a daily morning and evening nonstop between DCA and SEA largely because the Washington State Congressional delegation saw to it. If you get on AA's evening flight from DCA to LAX on a fly-out day, you'll encounter numerous Congress members from Southern California, etc. etc. So it's possible this is a foregone conclusion and the slots are coming.
Today, 1:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 25