RT by @SpaethFlies: As we talk about the crash at LaGuardia, wanted to re-up this piece from last year that looks at certain risks within the air travel system, with multiple underlying problems that have been building for years:
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/30/us-air-travel-safety-00534634
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @SpaethFlies: Officials provided a summary of events captured on the cockpit voice recorder during the three minutes before an Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority airport vehicle at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, killing two pilots. https://abcnews.com/US/laguardia-airport-crash-1-2-killed-pilots-identified/story?id=131353775
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @SpaethFlies: This story is technically correct, but I think you need more context & it can mislead you as presented.
I also don’t think this system – ASDEx (Airport Surface Detection Equipment) – would have prevented the accident & focus should be elsewhere.
The controller tried to stop the truck almost immediately after clearing it. Having a transponder in the truck for ASDEx *may* have given the controller a second or two of additional warning, but that’s it. The controller knows where the truck is already, because the truck tells him when he called: “…request to cross 4 at Delta”. This tells the controller that the truck is on taxiway Delta, holding short of runway 4. The Transponder system just shows the truck on a digital map of the airfield. It does *not* prevent the truck from crossing the runway, does *not* prevent the controller from issuing clearance to cross & does *not* alert the truck there is traffic on final approach.
It would *not* have warned the aircraft, either. It *might* have turned on the Takeoff Hold Lights (THL), a component of the Runway Status Lights (RSL) system which the pilots *might* have noticed…but there is no procedure for seeing that from the jet on final. As the name implies, the Takeoff Hold Lights are for takeoff. It might look unusual, but it would not force a go-around. If I even managed to notice them, which I doubt, I would have continued my landing.
The transponder system *might* have gotten the controller’s attention a second or so earlier, but that’s not clear. I *don’t know* if it sounds an alarm when traffic crosses the “Hold Short” line before a runway…but if it did, I don’t think it would have been more than a second or two earlier than the controller realized the error & started trying to stop the truck.
So, yes, investigators will look at this, and probably recommend all vehicles be equipped with transponders, but I don’t see this as being able to prevent the accident.
The first mistake was issuing a clearance to cross. The second mistake was the truck not honoring the Runway Status Lights (RSL), which take precedence over a clearance to cross & are an automated system, independent from the tower. The third was not visually clearing for traffic before crossing.
A transponder in the truck would not have prevented any of that & not provided any kind of warning to the truck, nor prevent the controller from issuing a clearance to cross in the first place. Transponders in vehicles are not required anywhere, to my knowledge (I could be wrong…maybe on certain vehicles in certain airports, but I don’t think so). They are nice to have, but not strictly necessary.
I’m doing more speculating than I’d like to here, but people will speculate anyway & I’d like to at least try to guide it in a productive manner. The correct answer is that multiple variables were involved & only an investigation will tell us what happened. I trust the NTSB.
But, if I was a journalist, I’d focus on the RSL. We have video of them being illuminated when the truck starts to cross, then turning off after the truck is on the runway (as it’s programmed to do). That system is designed to prevent almost exactly this type of scenario…it overrides the human factor & takes precedence over Tower’s instructions. Yes, even for emergency vehicles.
Ok, I’m going to stop repeating myself. Just trying to provide useful context…hope it helps.
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @SpaethFlies: The entire row is alllllll yours.
Welcome to United Relax Row, three adjacent United Economy seats with adjustable leg rests that can each be raised or lowered to create a cozy lie-flat space for stretching out...
You'll also get a mattress pad, blanket and two pillows. If you’re traveling with kids, a plushie too! United Relax Row will be available starting next year on more than 200 of our 787s and 777s, each with up to 12 of these brand-new rows.
http://united.com/Elevated
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @SpaethFlies: The most profitable seat on a 787 isn't in business class. It's three economy seats with a $40 mattress pad. I've flown the original version on Air New Zealand. United just figured out the math.
A Polaris suite takes the footprint of roughly four economy seats. At $4,000 one-way on a transatlantic route, that's $1,000 per seat-equivalent of revenue. A Relax Row takes three economy seats, sells for $3,000 to $5,000 as a unit, and requires zero cabin reconfiguration. That's $1,000 to $1,700 per seat-equivalent with almost no incremental cost. The margins on a mattress pad and adjustable leg rests versus a lie-flat suite with a privacy door, dedicated galley, and premium meal service aren't even comparable.
Air New Zealand proved this in 2011. Called it Skycouch. Same seat. Same concept. Fifteen years of booking data showing parents choose flat over reclined at almost any price. United licensed the design and locked North American exclusivity.
The timing maps to a ceiling in their premium strategy. United posted $59.1 billion in revenue last year. Premium cabin revenue grew 11% while economy flatlined. But there are only so many rows you can convert to Polaris before you've hollowed out the cabin. At some point you need the 300 economy passengers to fund the aircraft.
Relax Row threads that needle. 200 widebody aircraft. Up to 12 sections per plane. 2,400 units fleet-wide on routes where families will pay anything to let a toddler sleep horizontal for 14 hours. Dynamic pricing at American willingness-to-pay levels on a product Air New Zealand sells for $200 to $1,500.
Six fare classes on a single widebody now: Basic Economy, Economy, Relax Row, Premium Plus, Polaris, Polaris Studio. Each tier reframes the next as reasonable.
They wrapped it in a plushie because "highest-margin seat in commercial aviation" doesn't fit on a boarding pass.
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
A very Canadian issue that is hard to comprehend for non-Canadians #aircanada #laguardia
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @SpaethFlies: American Airlines, Air India & Air Canada all faced unfortunate aircraft events over the past 15 months. Every one chose to use the same speech template. Not because of a lack of innovation, but hit the right notes of empathy & said as much as could be said at the time perhaps?
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @SpaethFlies: Quick aviation fact for the committee: English is the OFFICIAL international language of aviation per ICAO standards—pilots & controllers worldwide MUST use it for safety to avoid deadly mix-ups. Every pilot speaks English operationally.
Yet Air Canada CEO records crash condolences mostly in English (with a couple French words thrown in) after a tragedy that killed two pilots, including one from Quebec → gets SUMMONED to Ottawa by the Official Languages Committee to 'explain himself' before May 1.
Because apparently a 4-minute video not being perfectly bilingual is the real emergency here.
Meanwhile, anglophones in Québec get treated like second-class citizens EVERY DAY: French text legally 2x bigger on signs (thanks Bill 96), constant language policing, and daily reminders anglophones are outsiders in their own country.
But sure, THIS is the national crisis worth a parliamentary grilling. Priorities, eh?
2026-03-26
- twitter_SpaethFlies
RT by @thewarzonewire: Exclusive: Former Army Air Defense Artillery School Commandant offers frank insights into how the U.S. and allies are defending against Iranian missiles and drones.
https://www.twz.com/news-features/retired-patriot-battalion-commander-on-the-challenges-of-defeating-irans-barrages
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
RT by @thewarzonewire: Retired Patriot Battalion Commander On The Challenges Of Defeating Iran’s Barrages
David Shank, former commandant of the Army's Air Defense Artillery School, offers a frank assessment of how air defenses are performing against Iran.
Exclusive:
https://www.twz.com/news-features/retired-patriot-battalion-commander-on-the-challenges-of-defeating-irans-barrages
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
Hellfire Missile Launcher Tucked Inside A Container Rolled Out By Lockheed
The Grizzly containerized launcher presents a readily deployable and discreet way to scatter Hellfire missile capability wherever it's needed.
https://www.twz.com/air/hellfire-missile-launcher-tucked-inside-a-container-rolled-out-by-lockheed
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
Land-Based Marine Corps F-35Cs Are Now Moving Towards The Middle East
The F-35Cs, operating from land bases, look set to join a Marine combat capability that is about to balloon in size in the Middle East.
Lots of movements underway, updating live:
https://www.twz.com/news-features/land-based-marine-corps-f-35cs-are-now-moving-towards-the-middle-east
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
Planning For Army’s New MV-75 Tiltrotor Already Part Of Officer Training, General Says
With the Army putting its MV-75 tiltrotor on a blazingly fast track, troops are already getting experience on the aircraft before the first one is even delivered.
https://www.twz.com/air/planning-for-armys-new-mv-75-tiltrotor-already-part-of-officer-training-general-says
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
B-2 Spirits Heading To Iran Appear With Puzzling Features On Their Wings
New images of B-2s heading out on an Epic Fury sortie show two jets with prominent squares arranged along their leading edges.
https://www.twz.com/air/b-2-spirits-heading-to-iran-appear-with-puzzling-features-on-their-wings
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
U.S. Battled Drone Incursions Over Key Bases At Home After Launch Of Epic Fury
It remains unclear who is behind the incursions, which have occurred now at two bases in recent weeks, but concern is clearly elevated during a time of war.
https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-battled-drone-incursions-over-key-bases-at-home-after-launch-of-epic-fury
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
RT by @thewarzonewire: From the TWZ vault:
Can The U.S. Military Make An Airplane Invisible To The Naked Eye?
https://www.twz.com/29543/the-visible-history-of-the-militarys-hunt-to-realize-an-invisible-aircraft
2026-03-25
- twitter_thewarzonewire
Iran Wants To Make Deal To End War, Trump Claims
The U.S. president says Tehran reached out to try to negotiate a deal, something that Iran has vehemently denied.
Back at it live updating:
https://www.twz.com/news-features/iran-wants-to-make-deal-to-end-war-trump-claims
2026-03-24
- twitter_thewarzonewire
F-22, B-52 Flight Testing Over The Mojave Showcases Advanced USAF Developments
We’ve gotten our best look yet at new stealthy underwing tanks and sensor pods for the F-22, and the USAF’s new AGM-181 nuclear cruise missile.
https://www.twz.com/air/f-22-b-52-flight-testing-over-the-mojave-showcases-advanced-usaf-developments
2026-03-24
- twitter_thewarzonewire
New Army 6.8mm Carbine Recycles XM8 Designation From Failed “Starship Troopers” Rifle Program
For a time in the early 2000s, the Army looked poised to adopt a very different XM8 family of small arms.
https://www.twz.com/land/new-army-6-8mm-carbine-recycles-xm8-designation-from-failed-starship-troopers-rifle-program
2026-03-24
- twitter_thewarzonewire
RT by @SpaethFlies: Here’s a front-facing photo of Air Canada Express Flight AC8646, a Bombardier CRJ-900 from Montreal, showing the crash damage at LaGuardia.
2026-03-24
- twitter_SpaethFlies
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