What we’re reading: FAA wants 777 software upgrade, BA strike schedule, body scanner complaints

by Stephanus Surjaputra on March 17, 2010

FAA: Boeing 777s must get new software

The Federal Aviation Administration wants airlines to install new software in their Boeing 777 airplanes that will prevent crews from “inadvertently engaging the autopilot before takeoff.”

The problem can result in a high-speed rejected, or aborted, takeoff and increase the chance of a runway overrun.
Boeing says the problem is rare—just nine reported instances of a rejected takeoff because of inadvertent engagement of the autopilot during the 777′s 15-year service history. Two incidents occurred in January. There have been no runway overruns or injuries associated with the issue.

BA sets strike schedule as government weighs in

From March 20 to March 22, British Airways intends to serve 60 percent of its passengers when flight attendants are scheduled to go on strike.

In addition, the airline said it will offer seats to “many thousands more customers” on alternative flights or on services operated by 40 other carriers to which passengers can be rebooked free of charge during the strike. Unite also plans to strike March 27-30 (ATWOnline, March 15).

U.S. air travelers complain about body scans

Hundreds of US air travelers have lodged complaints against the full-body scanners “charging they violate personal privacy and may be harmful to their health.”

The Transportation Security Administration, releasing the documents after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said air travelers lodged more than 600 complaints over use of the machines in the past year.

(Photo: Caren’s Photo Trip/Flickr Creative Commons)

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Tagged as: Boeing 777, British Airways, full body scanners

  • Hapgood

    Complaints about full-body scanners? A mere handful of ignorant rubes who fail to grasp the horrific nature of the enemy threat, along with a few crackpots who have no respect for authority. Most travelers are very happy that the TSA is deploying the latest technology to protect them from the horrible threat of terrorism. A TSA poll showed universally enthusiastic approval for the new family-friendly scanners that protect aviation while protecting privacy!

    The only appropriate way to deal with those insignificant complaints is to ignore them, so they don’t needlessly damage the high degree of confidence most travelers have in the full-body scanners and in the TSA. And add them to the “SSSS” list, so they’ll learn an important lesson that all patriotic citizens should heed: If you have any doubts or questions about the War on Terror, keep them to yourself. Don’t aid the enemy by expressing them in public! Let our Leaders tell us what to think, so that their hard work to attain Victory won’t be undermined by inappropriate doubt and confusion.

    (All sarcasm aside, I think it’s most interesting that the link to the article is to Canadian Reuters. They apparently don’t feel the same patriotic obligation to ignore the complaints.)

  • janet

    Seriously, how many times have we been told over the years that something is harmless or poses a minimal health risk only to find out years later that it did affect health? Modesty aside, I am very concerned about any technology in the hands of the TSA. If doctors and technicians can make errors, can you imagine what could happen here. Are these machines “tamper-proof” from the TSA agents? I found out recently that tests performed on me years ago at a highly accredited hospital gave me too high a rate of x-ray technology. The government is saying these are “minimal risk” – what does that mean? What happens when a pregnant woman goes through here? What happens with long term use? Answer these questions before you spend a gazillion tax dollars on this equipment.

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