CNN article on problems in Air Travel, as seen by FAA

Neil Gould wrote:
Recently, Newps posted:

[...] The plain simple fact of the matter is the limiting
factor is lack of runways. No amount of technology can force more
airplanes onto the runways we have now.

Isn't that somewhat dependent on the definition of "...the runways we
have now"? The problem is easily addressed by abandoning the hub
system that overburdens a few locations and barely worked when demand
was low. Alternatively, add hubs to some of the underutlilzed
airports. Of course, the airlines would probably find this to be a
threat to direct service to locations of highest demand, but from a
passenger's point of view, it's becoming more difficult to get a
flight direct to very many places anyway.

Neil

Sure that will work but to do it would mean more smaller aircraft in the
system, which I don't personally think is a bad thing but it could bring
about another problem where the ATC is over burdened. Of course it is a lot
easier to hire and train mor controllers than it is to build more runways.

Recently, Gig 601XL Builder wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net posted:

Neil Gould wrote:
Recently, Newps posted:

[...] The plain simple fact of the matter is the limiting
factor is lack of runways. No amount of technology can force more
airplanes onto the runways we have now.

Isn't that somewhat dependent on the definition of "...the runways we
have now"? The problem is easily addressed by abandoning the hub
system that overburdens a few locations and barely worked when demand
was low. Alternatively, add hubs to some of the underutlilzed
airports. [...]


Sure that will work but to do it would mean more smaller aircraft in
the system, which I don't personally think is a bad thing but it
could bring about another problem where the ATC is over burdened. Of
course it is a lot easier to hire and train mor controllers than it
is to build more runways.

It's especially pointless to build more runways in the same overtaxed
hubs. Furthermore, it might not matter if there are more aircraft in the
air as long as they aren't all going to the same place. From what I
gather, the overload is derived from the number of arrivals & departures
at peak times. Spread that out, and the load drops. The more ways that
gets spread out, the better the system should function.

Neil