WSJ article on recent NMAC events:

[wsuffa]

For those with subscriptions, this is worth a read, esp. the comments:

A recent flurry of midair near-collisions around major airports has disturbed federal air-safety regulators, prompting a broad review of procedures and possible changes in training for air-traffic controllers.

Federal Aviation Administration officials said they have investigated more than half a dozen such close calls over the past two months—in New York, Chicago, Houston and Southern California—and determined that controller errors were primarily to blame.

Link

...I think that before any major accidents or fatalities occur, the smaller aircraft should be banned from all major airports....

 

[steingar]

What percentage of operations at "large" airports involve GA aircraft. What percentage of "incidents" involve GA aircraft. Truth or just scapegoating. I suspect the latter, but don't have the numbers and admittedly don't know where to get them.

 

[Trapper John]

For those with subscriptions, this is worth a read, esp. the comments:



Link

Nationwide, roughly one out four controllers is still going through training to be fully approved to work at his or her position.

Sounds like 25 years later, we're still experiencing problems from the PATCO firings.

 

[SCCutler]

Nationwide, roughly one out four controllers is still going through training to be fully approved to work at his or her position.

Sounds like 25 years later, we're still experiencing problems from PATCO's illegal strike.

Fixed that for ya'!

 

[Trapper John]

Fixed that for ya'!

Trivia tidbit - F. Lee Bailey was PATCO's first General Counsel...

 

[Everskyward]

Sounds like 25 years later, we're still experiencing problems from the PATCO firings.

I think that's partially because a lot of new controllers were hired at that time so there are many who are now eligible to retire. I took the test and considered it at that time. It could have happened in another life.

 

[SCCutler]

I think that's partially because a lot of new controllers were hired at that time so there are many who are now eligible to retire. I took the test and considered it at that time. It could have happened in another life.

Absolutely correct - that , plus persistent bureaucratic boneheadedness about staffing and hiring at the FAA. Current situation is like taking off with 4 hours of fuel on board, and declaring a fuel emergency at 3:55.