By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 25, 2007
Not everyone agrees with this month's decision to change the landing patterns at the Memphis airport.
In fact, the biggest objection comes from an airline that doesn't even carry passengers.
Federal Express, the Memphis-based shipper of parcels and packages, says changing the landing patterns could cause delays that will impact consumers both in the U.S. and abroad.
FedEx objects to an April 2 ruling by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that effectively ended the practice of planes landing on intersecting or perpendicular runways.
Before issuing that edict, the FAA had internal disagreements over its validity. But several close calls, including a close encounter between two Northwest planes in mid-February, created enough sentiment to shift away from the old landing patterns.
The problem is a sticky wicket for the FAA, which is supposed to safeguard safety first -- even if flight delays are created as a result. The agency says new landing patterns at Memphis may slow some flights but claims delays will be minimal. Federal Express, on the other hand, insists that even minor delays can cause major problems for its customers.
"We know it's safe," FedEx spokesman Maury Lane told USA TODAY. "We've landed in this configuration for more than 20 years."
Under the old rules, planes landing on a north-south runway could fly directly over planes landing on an east-west runway. If a pilot suddenly aborted his landing, he could fly directly into another plane attempting to land.
Similar patterns exist at other major airports, according to the Air Line Pilots Association.
Although the new ruling for Memphis runways became effective April 13, the safety situation remains under review by the FAA. Officials of the agency met at the airport earlier this week to determine all options.
The FAA, along with unions representing air traffic controllers and pilots, insist delays caused by the new Memphis landing patterns will be minimal.
