Editorial
Air problems shown
in Delta mishaps
The recent string of mishaps and close calls by Delta
Airlines has brought back the issue of flying safety The
deregulation of the airlines in 197H has hurt the industry
more than it has helped it and created an atmosphere for
potential accidents.
The Federal Aviation Administration currently is in
vestigating Delta Airlines after several near-misses this
month. In the past weeks u Delta airplane almost crashed in
the Pacific Ocean when a pilot accidentally shut off the
engines, another airplane landed at the wrong airport during
a stormy night, planes have almost hit each other while tak
ing off. and one plane came within 100 feet of another when
it strayed off course.
However, these problems are integral to the wider con
cept of air safety. Delta has had an unusually high amount of
close calls, but so have other airlines. They should not be
singled out and used as a scapegoat when searching for ways
to solve the problems. Because of all the airplanes in the sky
and the lack of trained personnel, these incidents should
come as no surprise.
Before 1 *»7H the Civil Aeronautics Board used to
regulate the airline business. It set the fares and routes and
determined who could enter the business. When it was
dismantled the door was open for new air companies and
price wars.
In theory the competition created from the new
businesses would provide customers with a greater selection
of routes and keep the prices down. Free enterprise would
be promoted. Unfortunately it hasn’t met this ideal.
More people did start to fly as a result of the new com
panies. but this resulted in an increase in the number of
planes in the air. The air traffic controllers' strike in HIHl
proliferated the problems of the overworked employees and
unsafe flying conditions. When President Reagan fired the
controllers, he solved the problem of the strike but severely
limited the amount of qualified workers.
Hut Delta’s problems also are from inexperienced pilots.
They are trained extensively and tested on flight simulators,
but this cannot compare to the hands-on experience needed
to handle emergencies in the sky.
Despite all the hazards of flying, people still insist on
boarding planes. It is a quick way to travel, no matter what
the danger. However, the increase in consumers flying only
encourages the problem. The airlines take advantage of the
demand and more flights are created.
The FAA recognizes the problems and the potential for
major accidents and is working to fix them. In May they
designed a computer capable of tracking planes around the
United States on a single screen. Air traffic controllers now
have the ability to follow a plane through every stage of its
flight. The FAA hopes air traffic controllers will be able to
use the computer during rush hour times and see problems
and delays before they happen.
The computer system is a step in the right direction but
will not solve the entire problem. Stricter regulations are
needed to keep the air companies in line and reduce air traf
fic. If there are fewer planes in the sky. then many of the ac
cident and delay problems will be solved.
Deregulating the airlines was a noble goal. Hut no mat
ter how good it looked on paper, it hasn't and won't work in
reality. The air business has turned into a competition
plagued with safety problems.
The near misses of Delta Airlines have emphasized the
problem. They should not go unchecked and ignored. The
airline business is an accident waiting to happen. Unless
something is done soon, somebody will get hurt.
Letters
Evidence
In response to the article by
Bert Try be (U1)K. July 14). I will
briefly comment. Bert says.
■'. . .courageous man and
women knew and clearly stated,
'God does not exist.' "
Hv fundamental laws of
reasoning. it is not sufficient to
say that something does not ex
ist simply because there is no
evidence to support its ex
istence. (I learned that in high
school!) Then? must be absolute
evidence that there is no God,
and since the God of the Hible
Bert is speaking of never claim
ed to he a physical being, one
can't disprove his existence us
ing physical measurements.
If a person says. “I don't
think there is a God" he may
not !te a fool, for this may bo a
very rational thing to believe. A
man who says, "there is no
God is a fool, for the reason
stated above. Simple eh?
Bob Weigel
Physics
Priorities
Your lead story |uly 28 claim
ad that the State Board of
Higher Education "boosted
morale" by approving a million
dollars of tuition waivers for
athletes.
Oregon Daily
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No doubt morale rose in Mac
Court, but over here in PLC and
elsewhere on campus you'd be
hard pressed to find any en
thusiasm. The merits of the tui
tion waivers aside, we are all
aware of dozens of pressing
needs for academic program im
provements. Shouldn't they
take priority over financing in
tercollegiate athletics.
Daniel Pope
Associate Professor. History
Hitting home
I'm concerned about the fun
ding for the governor's man
sion. Should a mansion be built
for the governor or are there
other things we need?
Let's split that question into
two parts. First, should a man
sion be built for the governor?
Yes. the governor should have a
nice home to hold social func
tions in.
However, there are other
things we need such as housing
for the homeless.
I know the governor has a
tough decision to make. l,et's
just hope he makes the right
decision.
Erin L. McKenna
Ridgefield. Wash.
Thank you
Thank you for your front page
coverage of the Nicaragua
Friendship Day celebration held
in Skinner Butte Park.
The amazing amount of
volunteer energy that made this
year's Fiesta happen, and the
fact that so many people from
the community and even from
other parts of Oregon braved the
wet weather to make such a
strong show of support is a front
page story in itself. All these
people deserve congratulations.
You noted that the boat-load
of wheat and the medical sup
plies for which we are raising
money would be sent to "vic
tims of violence" in the
Nicaragua.
Although this is true, we
should all be aware that despite
the pain Nicaragua is experienc
ing at the time as the result of
Contra violence, them is also a
hopeful side to the story.
Them are more doctors, more
hospitals, more schools and
more opportunities to take ad
vantage of these basic needs
than ever before in Nicaragua.
When we support Nicaragua
we not only help to ease some of
the pain, we help to build a
healthy new society as well.
Thank you all for your
support.
David Salem
Volunteer Coordinator
Council for Human Rights in
taitin America
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