Y2K Bug Still Buzzing Dallas Airport

By David Koenig
AP Business Writer
Friday, September 3, 1999; 1:26 a.m. EDT

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) -- Despite two years and nearly $8 million in preparations, 30 systems at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport -- including runway lights -- are not yet protected against possible Y2K glitches, officials say.

A board at the nation's third-busiest airport voted hastily on Thursday to spend an additional $300,000 on the computerized lighting system, which directs pilots to assigned runways. The lights change to indicate wind direction.

Airport officials said the runway system could be operated manually if needed, and said the airport will be safe on Jan. 1.

``We'll be in good shape at DFW,'' said Jeffrey Fegan, the airport's executive director. ``Passengers have nothing to worry about.''

The concern over the Y2K bug centers on the fact that many computers were originally programmed to recognize only the last two digits of the year, so some might not be able to differentiate between 2000 and 1900. Unless they are reprogrammed in time, computers could malfunction.

Tom Browne, who directs a Y2K-compliance project for the Air Transport Association, which represents airlines, said about half the airports still have some computer fixes to make but predicted no problems on New Year's Day.

``So much money and effort is being poured into this, it's going to be a great big yawn on Jan. 1,'' Browne said.

The Dallas airport had earlier identified 108 systems that could be vulnerable to Y2K problems due to older computers or software. Of those, 78 are prepared, but the others are still being repaired or tested, said Bob Hendricks, the airport's computer systems chief.

Remaining problems include the airport's two-way radio system, which may allow overlapping conversations or interference as the new year dawns. The system will otherwise work, Hendricks said.

Also, a new security system that controls access to restricted areas such as jetways and ramps has been installed but is not yet operational, airport officials say. Police officers would be posted at the affected doors if the system fails, officials say.

The Federal Aviation Administration has jurisdiction over air-traffic control systems and security equipment at airports.

Fegan said DFW will have all airport systems ready by Oct. 30.

But ``we'll all be out here Dec. 31 just to make sure everything goes smoothly,'' he said.

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Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), September 03, 1999

Answers

Ray... you beat me to the post.

BTW, Hoffy... the FAA does not operate in a vacuum!

Whenever any official says... ``Passengers have nothing to worry about,'' and we WILL be ready... but arent... w-e-l-l... some observe the Y2K disconnect.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 03, 1999.

"Airport officials said the runway system could be operated manually if needed" Yeah, by guys waving flaming torches. Hope it's not too rainy.

Oh, and there might be a slight glitch in tower vs pilot communication, but nothing to worry about, because we have spent lots of money and a lot of effort so it is sure to be fixed.

It will be just a big yawn on January 1 - sure, if you are sleeping in that day and not trying to thread your way past the faulty security to the gate.

No problem! DFW will be fixed by October 30, leaving all of 60 days for testing!

-- Margaret (janssm@aol.com), September 03, 1999.