Having URET going AND working strips seems a bit excessive. I'd be more worried about the GPS system going belly up and having zero backup under ERAM.

So wait, are you suggesting we use strips forever? I'm not following you.

I think the largest problem is that the FAA is trying to but a nice shiny coat on what is currently a large dog turd. If it has problems, say it has problems. Nobody likes getting lied to, especially folks at 34,000 feet in the air. If you truly think safety is an issue, you would send it back to Lockheed and say "I'm not going to let this roll without it working".

But that's just a pipe dream.

Railroads? REALLY?

Come on. If you were going to be outlandish, at least follow that train of thought and tell me that I was going to lose my job to a Wookie flying the Millennium Falcon. Try again, Lando.

I think it's awesome that TMZ ran an essential "screw you" piece to the FAA, and managed to squeeze it in between stories about Lindsay Lohan doing blow and Patrick Dempsey's 3rd nipple. I love this country.

Agreed. That kind of behavior smacks of the Bush/Cheney White House. Just do what's best for us, and steamroll anyone who thinks differently.

On the plus side I can break out my shorts soon.

Man, I don't know how I feel about this.

On one hand, I've been foaming at the mouth for any and all information about the negotiations. And much like a man dying of thirst in the desert, Pat's update hit the spot.

On the other hand, part of my soul recoils at this type of political gamesmanship. I've always thought that the biggest trouble that unions have had in the past was related to the fact that those in power thought themselves untouchable. As soon as the leader begins thinking for the whole, instead of listening to the will of the whole, you are no better than some of the worst political scum in DC.

I never thought when I got a degree in Poli Sci I would end up hating politics so much.