There was a good discussion going on about this topic. Unfortunately I goofed and accidently deleted it a moment ago. It’s too long to explain, except to say that the delete button is right next to the edit link. 
My apologie to all. Perhaps the latest NewsWire story re: CSX (2/28/03) will provide another springboard for this topic.
Paul Schmidt
Thats ok Paul, we all know how “safe and efficent” technology is, so the same thing couldnt happen with a belt pack, you know, get the forward button mixed up with the stop button, while your running beside a car holding up the cut lever…
Stay Frosty,
Ed
Hi Ed,
LOL!!! Trouble is, too, my computer doesn’t have an automatic shutoff feature in case I fall down!
Paul
Yeah, Paul,
But you dont have to run with your computer straped to your chest, and falling down hurts.
In all seriousness, it isnt about haveing to work the controls, its about having that other set of eyes, and the judgement that goes with them. My engineer has saved my butt more times than I care to explain. He sees thing I cant see from the ground. You and I know the statistics the FRA use are provided by the carriers themselves. I have yet to see a real independent safty study performed, without the carriers interference. When that happens, I will be surprised if the results are the same.
Technology fails, and with this much at stake, what is the accepted failure rate?
Stay Frosty, and watch that wayward finger…
Ed
Hi Ed,
I’m lukewarm myself at RCLs. Sure, it’s probably the future (or better put, the future is now), but you raise two very good points: having the extra set of eyes and the acceptable failure rate. Neither can be easily ignored, in my opinion.
Paul