Flight Delays are Here Today

Generally when Bostonist takes notice of bad transit it’s something the MBTA has done, or, well, hasn’t done as is often the case. Yesterday as our out of town friend was scheduled to take off at Logan we tuned into the radio on the rainy, dreary, day. To our surprise the radar system at Logan was picking up planes that didn’t actually exist. Perhaps this was the solution to the near miss accident problem that has been the buzz 16 times since last October: be hyper-aware. Luckily for our good friend going back to California the flight lifted off nearly on time. Unfortunately for those arriving back into Boston after the long holiday weekend, all incoming flights were reportedly delayed for three hours or more.

Flight Control had to switch to a backup radar system located in New Hampshire. The system we hope was finding all the planes that were in the air and not mistaking seagulls for aircraft. The troubles continue today at Logan while the FAA works to correct the problems in Logan’s radar system. Following the switch the runways have been allocated one for takeoff and one for landing. Having a former pilot in the family Bostonist is well aware (though we claim only little actual knowledge) that winds generally dictate the use of runways. The widened gap between planes and the use of only one runway for landing and one for takeoff slows the flow of Massport’s Logan down quite a bit. If you have air travel arranged for today or even tomorrow, be sure to check with your airline regarding delays. Oh, and the Boston Globe warned us this morning that you wouldn’t be the first genius if you thought of going to Manchester or Providence for a timely take off.