Just finished the interviews parts.
Il start with the MET guy as we are re discussing it, Appalling what those guys have to go though . “ we’re just babysitting a computer” , stuck in an old smoking room with no windows, no internet access, had to buy on Amazon broken equipment themselves , told by FAA no to bother with 17 degr temp discrepancies,: " just read the machine of you get fired “ . no contact with ATC , took they access badges away and to come up the TWR need to call on an intercom : " that is broken anyway". The whole subcontracting process to employ those guys is crazy too.
The ATC staff interviews are revealing a totally broken safety and training culture. The “suitcases simulator “part is revealing, " a piece of junk" as one said. No one seems to know what SMGCS is same with CAT III . and those were experienced controllers with many years’ experiences. But it is the chronic lack of staff that is at the root of the problem, 6 days weeks for years, no time to properly train or refresh. the procedure to train for new airspace, one hour after a shift ( described page 151 ) is appalling .
Having to rely on FR24 to taxi aircraft is incredible in such a large airport in the US in 2023. I’ve seen this done in Haiti and in some poor African countries, but in the US?
The SW pilots interview is comparatively much shorter and they got very easy questions compared to the controllers. 2 different treatments here. Not nice. . They did not pursue why did both crews consider lining up with an aircraft on 3 miles final in low visibility conditions “normal” . Then “we never stopped “ said the captain , but the F/O said they put the brakes on to run to 70% so they did stop and waited. ,and when the controller asked if they were rolling, a minute after the T/O clearance , the F/O said they were only 3 to 5 seconds in the roll. . A good time stamp is missing in there. Also pity no CRM questions were asked, was the Capt using the HUD or not, who said what , different reactions to the FedEx calls, discrepancies between the 2 there. The F/O also admitted he did not know what SMGCS meant on the day, so basic training issues on every front not only ATC.
But not here to blame individuals, as we see it is a system that is broken .To fix it will take money ,people and take lots of time to restore it. I mean years. . Only way to prevent an accident from coming is reducing traffic levels during that transition period. But is this feasible politically ? Moving traffic above anything else at a reduced cost seems to be the drive nowadays , not safety ..