Condolences to all involved.
Stating the obvious, clearly, the 2 aircraft were flying at the same altitude without lateral seperation. Isn't it about time we took steps to ensure both lateral and vertical deconfliction outside of terminal airspace.
With modern GPS equipped aircraft every time we go flying we go either directly over or under other traffic; the big sky principle no longer applies.
Last time I checked, airways were 10 nm wide, why don't regulators require all operators to offset 1 mile right (or even 100m) in the cruise phase to reduce the chances of this unfortunate accident re-occuring. Even in RVSM airspace, there is sufficient space to allow this principle to be applied until the aircraft begins descent.
It might appear that I am trying to bolt the stable door after the horse has bolted but how many of you guys out there have had the same thought when you have had a min-sep 1000' below another aircraft with 16 miles/ minute of closure.
Again condolences to the families,
Ghost
