We live in a technical world in which few of us have a good understanding of all the technology we encounter. Since I’m talking to a sophisticated aviation crowd, that statement would seem to apply to you folks less than to the general population.
But certainly, all of us have been humbled by a sufficient number of baffling run-ins with opaque and illogical technology to have a modest appreciation of how daunting this world can be to those not so skilled.
Consider, then, the point of view of an average legislator trying to fix a “problem” as perceived and defined by his or her constituents. If that legislator has some degree of understanding, either personally or through staff input, of the technology, including aviation, he or she will make an attempt to shape their efforts to placate the howls for change to conform to what that legislator believes will actually work, assuming an active degree of personal responsibility. Others less involved, knowledgeable or principled wi…
