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I remember reading a similar article about the airline industry. Despite great improvements in technology, fleet size and a greater diversity of airlines delay

by zmimon 18y ago

I remember reading a similar article about the airline industry. Despite great improvements in technology, fleet size and a greater diversity of airlines delays just get more frequent and more severe. Why? Because there is no longer any leeway in the system for error. Each flight is turned around and sent out in such minimal time that if it is late for any reason the problem cascades on to the next flight. And the whole system is so well coordinated that there is never any airplane just sitting around to make up for a problem. So the whole system, though more efficient is more fragile. And ironically, being more fragile, actually ends up making it less efficient. Of course, as an engineer I simply say that you need to make the robustness part of your design goals to begin with and then design the system to meet that while being maximally efficient.

newt0311 18y ago
Because there is no longer any leeway in the system for error. Each flight is turned around and sent out in such minimal time that if it is late for any reason the problem cascades on to the next flight. And the whole system is so well coordinated that there is never any airplane just sitting around to make up for a problem. American Airlines and all the airline companies wish that you were right. As is, the biggest problem with airlines is not the lack of robustness. As of now, most airline companies toss in generous leeways into their flights to accomodate late flights (now over 10 minutes, which does not seem like much until you realize that this is per every flight). The biggest problem is that the traffic control system is at capacity. Ie. It is too inefficient. To fix the delays, the FAA needs to modernize and increase efficiency in the airline traffic control system.
- marvin 18y ago
  Good luck with that. It is technologically possible, but everyone who works with planes is scared shitless of the possibility that something can go wrong. It's bureaucracy at its worst. Nothing will happen with the existing system, the best we can hope for is that a new and better system will replace modern (obsolete) air travel. Many major airports are clogged, however..it's more than just a problem of traffic control and coordination. There is a limit where you are operating so tightly that if anyting goes wrong, there will be a major accident. I think the direction we are going in is one of smaller aircraft and more decentralized terminals. With the level of stupidity in airline travel (et. al.) and the growing resentment among passengers, it is doubtful that the system can successfully develop into something even more centralized. This whole industry is a prime target for disruptive change. The major problem is the same as for startups working in the financial industry: there is just too much regulation. (TipJoy, PayPal etc.) In addition, the capital requirements are pretty steep.

by zmimon 18y ago

newt0311 18y ago

Because there is no longer any leeway in the system for error. Each flight is turned around and sent out in such minimal time that if it is late for any reason the problem cascades on to the next flight. And the whole system is so well coordinated that there is never any airplane just sitting around to make up for a problem. American Airlines and all the airline companies wish that you were right. As is, the biggest problem with airlines is not the lack of robustness. As of now, most airline companies toss in generous leeways into their flights to accomodate late flights (now over 10 minutes, which does not seem like much until you realize that this is per every flight). The biggest problem is that the traffic control system is at capacity. Ie. It is too inefficient. To fix the delays, the FAA needs to modernize and increase efficiency in the airline traffic control system.

marvin 18y ago
Good luck with that. It is technologically possible, but everyone who works with planes is scared shitless of the possibility that something can go wrong. It's bureaucracy at its worst. Nothing will happen with the existing system, the best we can hope for is that a new and better system will replace modern (obsolete) air travel. Many major airports are clogged, however..it's more than just a problem of traffic control and coordination. There is a limit where you are operating so tightly that if anyting goes wrong, there will be a major accident. I think the direction we are going in is one of smaller aircraft and more decentralized terminals. With the level of stupidity in airline travel (et. al.) and the growing resentment among passengers, it is doubtful that the system can successfully develop into something even more centralized. This whole industry is a prime target for disruptive change. The major problem is the same as for startups working in the financial industry: there is just too much regulation. (TipJoy, PayPal etc.) In addition, the capital requirements are pretty steep.