To Land or Not To Land

I am a devotee—some say fanatically so—of the free market. Lately, however, I have been a bit worried about the marketplace when it comes to the airline industry. I worry about airline use of marginal airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (the name of the place is longer’n the runway) and Midway. You can argue all day about my use of that word "marginal", but I have heard so many heavy-iron pilots complain about those airports (strictly off the record, of course) that I have become a believer. Use of these and other marginal airports seem to serve the free market, at least in the short run. They are cheaper and/or more convenient for airline and/or passengers. In the long run? I worry. One thing’s for sure. When people worry, the guvmint gets involved faster’n an episode of "Desperate Housewives" can get around to sex, and here we go, ‘round again. Today’s USA Today reports that the guvmint—the FAA—proposes new restrictions for airline landings at limited airports. It’s hard to argue against the goal, but Lord only knows what will come of the rules. The article says the new rules could bar some landings during "severe winter storms". That makes sense but raises more questions. Who will write the rules, interpret the weather and decide which landings can or can’t be made? Will those people be better at making the decisions than are the crews in the cockpits? I don’t know the answers. I doubt the guvmint does. But, as always in aviation, it will be interesting to watch! We would love to post your comments. Click on the comment box at the top.