The team of Federal Aviation Administration investigators being sent to the Chicago approach control facility in Elgin (IL) this week to review air traffic control issues in the wake of a rising volume of flights and corresponding increase of errors is doomed to fail, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "While we're pleased the FAA is finally devoting attention to critical issues impacting the safety of our skies, we do not understand why they are not talking to the people who guide our nation's planes home day in and day out," said Ray Gibbons, NATCA facility representative for the Chicago TRACON. "It would seem to be in the best interest of ensuring safety that air traffic controllers be included in the review. Our exclusion is proof that the FAA doesn

Here's a story you should know About Eenie, Meenie, Minie and Moe. A pair of sisters sued on the basis Eenie, Meenie and Minie are racist. Southwest Airlines' Jennifer Cundiff Thought of herself as quite the pundit. As passengers boarded her flight that day, Jennifer was heard to say: "Eenie, Meenie, Minie Moe, "Pick a seat, we gotta go."

Open Text(TM) Corporation, provider of Livelink�, a collaboration and content management program, says Britannia Airways has extended its Livelink deployment to provide PDA and laptop access during flight, giving pilots and cabin crew members real-time access to critical flight data on the aircraft. The PDA's have been rolled out to Britannia cabin crew and are used to record and transact in-flight retail purchases and present flight documentation which is downloaded using wireless technology at the bases prior to the flight. The solution builds on Britannia Airway's original Livelink application-a flight briefing system, which provides pre-flight data, such as passenger manifests, staff schedules and security information.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and United Airlines announced last week that they have signed a permit enabling United to begin construction of facility improvements at Washington Dulles International Airport that are expected to provide all United and United Express customers with better access, more convenient connections and an improved travel experience overall. Construction is expected to begin within a week. The cost of the project is expected to be no more than $22 million.