cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/17843817
Important context:
- January 20: FAA director fired
- January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
- January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
- January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
- January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years
But if the controller gave the correct instructions, and they were acknowledged and then ignored, having two controllers doesn’t prevent the accident. It prevents other accidents.
The focus should be on military helicopter pilot competence and training.
It appears at the moment that the instructions were acknowledged and that the helicopter pilots were mistaken about which plane they were avoiding, not that they ignored instructions.
And regardless, the purpose of an air traffic controller is to monitor traffic continuously. Having the prescribed number of atcs would have made space for the tower to see that the helicopter was on a collision course and act to avoid it.
Thanks. I see what you mean. And also OP’s addition.
One more controller on duty means they can spot instructions not being followed instead of having to pay attention to something else. Both are important to look at, as an event like this is not because one person messed up; it’s because multiple people were not able to spot the problem before it turned deadly
Oh jesus fucking christ… admit that your stupid fucking orange god is at fault, already.
I fucking hate that Cheeto but he did ask a valid question and other people did respond with information that helped shaped and change that understanding, not a glib pointless comment like yours.
Thank you, fellow orange god worshipper.
Edit: Apparently the sarcastic end to that was not obvious.