Sequester Delays Hit Airports

 As expected, and as we wrote about back in February, the first set of furloughs of air traffic controllers begins today, and air travelers are going to be the ones that suffer because of it. The sequester, which is finally starting to hit after going into effect at the end of February, means less air traffic controlers and less TSA Agents so you can plan on delays getting through the airport and then possible delays in the air to help air traffic controllers control the flight load with less staff.

I know that there was much debate when this was first brought up by the Department of Transportation if it would actually happen, and it may not be necessary, but it is real. There were reports of delays in different spots across the country yesterday because of air traffic control, so we don't have to like it, but we do have to prepare for it.

I just wonder how long the delays will last once they hit DCA and the first member of congress misses his/her flight or is delayed for hours and decides to try to end the delays. ;) 

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Transportation Secretary Still Has Questions On 787s

As Boeing continues to troubleshoot their battery problems with the 787 and continues to progress toward a reinstatement from the FAA Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made it clear in an interview on Wednesday with The Wall Street Journal that he still has lots of questions he needs answered before he will give it the OK to fly which is needed before US operations can start again.

A quick approval process is key for Boeing who will start to be subject to late penalties paid to the airlines if the delays continue.

The article comes as the National Transportation Safety Board plans to release an update to their investigation of the fire aboard the Japan Airlines 787 that occurred in January.

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March 1st Could Bring Travel Delays With Less Air Traffic Controlers and TSA Agents

In what has become regular order here in Washington, D.C. a storm is brewing over a set of mandatory spending cuts (the "sequester" as it's called) will go into law on March 1st unless Congress is able to come to a deal to avert or fix the problem. The sequester mandates a cut in spending across all government agencies and among those is the Department of Transportation who supervises air traffic controllers and the Department of Homeland Security who employs TSA workers.

A Huffington Post article out today indicates that if the cuts become law it could mean furloughs for air traffic controllers at least day every two weeks and cutbacks in airport security which could cause delays for travelers and airlines.
 
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