My Multiple response...
To Devils Advocate: Hear Hear !!
To Seriph: The reference to Off-set routings refers not to taking a traingular route to a destination, but rather to a 1/2 nautical mile left or right offset to an established airway or even direct routing between two positions.
The reason for this is (and I have first-hand jump seat experience) that navigational systems are now so accurate, that two aircraft routing in opposite directions between the same two positions actually (often) cross EXACTLY (as in wingtips virtually aligned) over and under each other. BY off-setting from the direct track or airway by 1/2 a nautical mile, both left or both right, there will be a natural 1 nautical mile separation between aircraft on opposite direction routings. This would provide a lateral (horizonatal) safety if the vertical seperation were compromised. (This would not have helped in the swiss incident however)
To Seriph: (again) The beancounters may not write the SOP's, but their decisions regarding the procurement of equipment (safety and otherwise), (dis)approving operational requests for additional staff, etc.. can often (and do often) limit the options available to operational managements scope when it comes to making SOP's.
Beancounters often go for financially viable options, operators making the same call would go for the operationally safer options.
Last edited by Standard_Departure; 5th Jul 2002 at 07:46.