Originally Posted by
flyerdude88
I agree UA is being unfairly singled out on these stories - the bigger issue is the fact that ATC is using 1950s technology in 2014. IMO the real question is whether the FAA will implement needed fixes before a disaster happens or if it will take a disaster to push them to implement needed changes.
The EWR is still the most worrying to me since 4L/22R remains closed for another week causing the ridiculous situation of taking off and landing from runways that intersect at one of the nation's busiest airports
What 1950s technology are you referring to? I assume it's been a while since you've toured an ATC facility. While they still obviously use radar, the technology available to controllers is far more advanced than it was 60 years ago. ADS-B, which is currently undergoing implementation and will mandatory for most aircraft in 2020, will allow for entirely new ways of managing air traffic. While I have many criticisms of the ADS-B rollout, characterizing the ATC as a stodgy old system that is not adapting to changing technology is a simply incorrect.
The only thing remotely worrying about the EWR situation is that it is a change from what the controllers are used to dealing with, and any deviation from standard procedure adds a trivial amount of risk.
Originally Posted by
blueman2
Agreed this does not appear to be a UA issue. And Near Misses (aka Loss of Separation) do happen more than people think due to how a near miss is defined.
But a Near Midair Collision, which occurred at EWR earlier is a different story. Those are more rare and more dangerous. I do not know if they have classified the Hawaii incident as a Near Miss (loss of separation) or a Near Midair Collision. I think they are still reviewing. But it it also was a Near Midair Collision, then having 2 of those a few weeks apart does concern me.
I've never seen a differentiation between a "near miss" or a "near midair collision" in any official report. In fact, I rarely see either term used in any sort of official capacity.