Originally published April 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 29, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Senate to debate "national embarrassment" of air-traffic woes
U.S. Senate to debate on air-traffic troubles, including proposed three-hour limit on runway delays
WASHINGTON — The Senate is taking on what Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller calls "a national embarrassment," an antiquated air traffic control system that is making flying more unpleasant and possibly less safe.
Legislation being debated this week in the Senate to modernize the U.S. aviation system could provide immediate relief to suffering passengers. It would set a three-hour limit on how long airliners would be allowed to sit on a runway without allowing passengers to deplane.
Rockefeller heads the Senate Commerce aviation subcommittee. He is citing predictions that none of the 1 billion people predicted to fly in 2015 will reach their destination on time if aggressive action is not taken in the meantime to upgrade air traffic control.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 8:12 AM
Rick Steves' Europe: Helsinki and Tallinn: Baltic Sisters
NEW - 8:00 AM
More extensive TSA searches in Sea-Tac Airport rattle some travelers
Winter play in the French Alps — without skiing
Carnival group hit by fire cheered in Rio parade
United cuts 2011 growth and Southwest raises fares

nwautos
Turismo upgrade "Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition" for PlayStation 3 has features such as new car-tuning settings, new NASCAR vehicles, better replay video...
Post a comment
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
492 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
381 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
292 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
280 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
108 - Rough road again
105 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
74 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
70 - A few late-night notes
68
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review







