Flying is not risky, but it is very dangerous. The actual risk of anything happening is extremely remote.
High danger x extremely low risk = safe travel.
The thread on the ATC forum contains an excellent explanation of the workings of TCAS when issuing RAs which cross levels. The system worked as designed - panic over.
Long sleep - by 'one of the closest' do you include the well documented F15/767 airprox over DTY last year which was very close, or the more recent Air UK/F15 inbound to MME, which was estimated to be around 500 ft seperation? Perhaps it would have been more accurate to say:
"Traffic info given, Embraer pilot follows the RA, Dash 8 pilot follows the RA, Embraer descends through DH8s level to achieve optimum seperation as determined by TCAS."
TCAS doesn't really command 'dives' as such, just descent rates which would not be out of place in normal operations!
Last edited by Carnage Matey!; 4th July 2002 at 22:59.