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in the morning paper...

http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/news/112399/nationaldocs/23y2k-airtraffic.htm

-- clayton (ratchetass@hotmail.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

Bu-bu-but the FAA *said* they were 100% ready!

Air traffic not yet Y2K ready, panel reports

Federal system one of 18 `at risk of failure'

By Robert A. Rankin KNIGHT RIDDER WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON The nation's air traffic control system still is not ready for the Year 2000 computer challenge, according to a report yesterday from the House of Representatives' Y2K oversight committee.

With 38 days to go, air traffic control is one of 18 ``high-impact'' federal programs ``at risk of failure,'' according to the House Committee on Government Reform. Other at-risk programs include food stamps, child nutrition, Medicare, Medicaid and unemployment insurance.

Air traffic control's potential Y2K vulnerabilities stem principally from the international nature of much air travel. ``The international connections are the ones they are concerned about,'' said Rep. Constance A. Morella, R-Md. ``But nothing will fly that isn't totally safe.''

Government Reform Chairman Stephen Horn, R-Ca., said ``we are concerned about'' air traffic control readiness in Japan, Italy, Russia and many underdeveloped countries, but added: ``I think that what we're looking at is also domestic readiness.''

The FAA insists that its air-traffic control system is fully prepared. ``I can only speak from our perspective, and to us things look good,'' said Paul Takemoto, FAA's spokesman for Y2K. The FAA certified its systems as fully Y2K compliant last June.

As for potential Y2K aviation problems overseas, the FAA has done ``exhaustive tests on the communications links between foreign air traffic control systems that link with our systems.The one thing to bear in mind is that the FAA does not have authority over foreign air space,'' Takemoto said.

The Y2K computer bug stems from a pervasive software practice where the date for year 2000 is recorded as ``00.'' Computers may misread that as 1900, which experts say could cause them to malfunction or shut down on Jan. 1, and even for weeks and months after.

In general Horn praised the federal government's success in fixing potential Y2K problems. He gave the government overall a ``B-plus'' report card for its efforts since he held his first oversight hearing in Y2K preparations in early 1996.

Twelve government departments and agencies are fully Y2K compliant, Horn said, but four Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice and Treasury ``still have a few mission-critical systems to fix.'' The Internal Revenue Service's field computers remain a concern as well, Horn said.

The White House insisted the entire federal government will be ready by Dec. 31.

Horn said OMB has designated 43 federal programs as ``high impact'' in terms of Y2K exposure, and 18 of them ``remain at risk of failure.''

The Y2K-vulnerabilities of most of those programs stem from the fact that they involve federal benefits administered by state and local governments whose Y2K preparations may be inadequate, Horn said.

-- John Ainsworth (ainsje00@wfu.edu), November 23, 1999.


gee, whata surprise.

-- Dan G (thepcguru@hotmail.com), November 23, 1999.

Either they are or they aren't, which is it?

-- double talk (doubletalk@doubletalkk.xcom), November 23, 1999.

Silence. SILENCE, DOUBTERS! Cease your treason. The airlines will be compliant. Clinton has promised, Koskinen has promised, Garvey has promised. Koskinen and Garvey will be on a plane, if - and I can't stress this strongly enough - IF they can find an airline willing to carry the head of the Federal Aviation Authority and a Presidential advisor, without cancelling the flight AGAIN due to the glorious uncertainties of our wonderful Free Market Economy. Garvey has promised to be on a plane, and who are we to doubt her, despite her initial advice to NOT fly during the rollover? You cynical Communist SWINE. Cease your thinking, salute and sing, SALUTE AND SING!

>>> ;) <<<

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.


Wwwwwaaaaaaaa
wwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

-- boo hoo (i @ believed . them), November 23, 1999.


It was just a couple months ago that the FAA was being [toast]ed for there incredible job of 100%compliance. I remember!!!

Guess they think nobody follows these things.

-- d____ (dciinc@aol.com), November 23, 1999.


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