Big “Duh” Again

Surely, no one is surprised ?

Airlines post best on-time rates since 2002

”One possible reason for the improved performance is that the 19 carriers operated 11 percent fewer flights a day than in February 2008, the result of drastic cutbacks in capacity. “

Ya think ? Gee, I bet the guys with the best on-time records don’t do much flying at hub airports.

”Leading the group in February was Hawaiian Airlines Inc. with 91.2 percent of flights arriving on time, followed by Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. at 88.3 percent. At the bottom was Alaska Airlines Inc. at 76.3 percent. “

Who’d a thunk it ? But wait, there is something unique to be found.

”The Air Transport Association applauded the numbers but urged the federal government to use the lull in operations to improve the nation's air traffic control system. “

I never thought I’d see the day that the ATA and I agreed on anything. Of course, they blow it in the next paragraph.

"We have a window of opportunity to accelerate system modernization during this period of slackening demand," ATA president and chief executive James May said. "A failure to act now will exact a tremendous cost, increasing delays in just a few years."

Sigh. And when they go back to over scheduling the airports it will be ATC’s fault all over again, right ? Big duh.

On a personal note, sorry things have been so slow this week. Hopefully I’ll get back to a more regular schedule after Easter. Holy Week is a busy week for a retired guy.

Don Brown
April 10, 2009
Good Friday