Originally Posted by brooksjg
There is some technology (UAVs with suitable sensors) that could be used if the airlines wish to avoid losing revenue due to unnecessary shut-downs ....
This is an impractical suggestion for the short- or medium-term. As far as I know we are not even close to regulations governing the general flight of UAVs in civil airspace. This is a very hot topic at the moment, and we are a ways yet from any sign of consensus.
PBL