"Responsibility
The argument you guys have going is a cultural one.
Do you want to have freedom which brings with it responsibility? (Screw up and you're in trouble). Or do you want the government to hold your hand and tell you what to do at any given time?
(Take it like a man or run hide behind your mothers skirt when things go wrong?).
The AF Captain screwed up, end of story. I have been in tight spots and stopped to ensure that I have had enough room. I would rather get yelled at for tying up traffic than bending the airplane. "
+1
Sure there are always many factors that go into a dinged airplane, but the buck stops in that front left seat. I would rather take the responsibility and the freedom to make my own decisions now and then.
I can all but guarantee that captain won't even get close to another aircraft for the rest of his career. Additionally, with all the training this will generate it will probably be a while before any 380 runs into something.