Jay Rockefeller: “I believe it is absolutely crucial and probable, perhaps, but crucial that we have a vibrant and strong aviation…”

“I believe it is absolutely crucial and probable, perhaps, but crucial that we have a vibrant and strong aviation industry and aviation industry discussion on the floor of the Senate. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Nation's economic well-being depends on the Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation industry moving millions and millions of people and tons of cargo every single day. I just landed at Washington National Airport, and it was absolutely jammed. I am trying to think what it will be like in 10 years. Even on the very best day, the Federal Aviation Administration struggles to operate the most complex airspace system in the world, a job made harder by an extremely antiquated air traffic control system which nobody else in the industrial world has, but we do. It is akin to using an x ray instead of an MRI. It is antiquated, it is pathetic, it wastes a lot of time, and it creates a lot of waiting for passengers. Bad weather, mechanical problems, lax oversight by the Federal administrators can end up stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers--and it has--increasing jet fuel costs and making it harder and harder for airlines to operate. I particularly refer to legacy; that is, to the commercial airlines, which is the heart and soul of our system. All this amounts to a perfect storm that can and very may well wreck our aviation system. An aviation expert predicts the situation is going to get much worse and very soon.”