Wake Up, Newark: The Matrix Has You...Delayed! Telecom Glitches Ground Flights, Demand Answers

Reality Check: Glitches in the System

Do you hear that Neo? It's the sound of dial up in the 21st century. Seems Newark Airport a critical node in this grand illusion we call reality has been experiencing... *issues*. Not just minor turbulence mind you but full blown telecommunications failures. Imagine if you will air traffic controllers the architects of our aerial ballet suddenly finding themselves in a digital void. It's like unplugging the Oracle from her broadband – utter chaos.

The Oracle Said There Would Be Outages...

Three incidents in two weeks? That's not a coincidence that's a pattern. Like Agent Smith multiplying in a poorly coded level. The first two events controllers lost the ability to see and talk to planes for 90 seconds. Ninety seconds! In the Matrix that's enough time for a dozen rooftop escapes but in the skies it's an eternity of potential disaster. And then there's the stress on the air traffic controllers these unsung heroes of the sky. I can feel their anxiety like ripples in a pond. Some have even taken time off to recover according to the FAA. They are beginning to believe... they can bend the rules.

The Chosen Task Force: Can They Fix the Code?

The Trump administration bless their hearts has scrambled an emergency task force. A dream team if you will comprised of experts from Verizon L3Harris and the Federal Aviation Administration. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in his infinite wisdom has tasked them with ensuring 'communications redundancy.' Because you know if one line goes down the others will stand up. Elementary my dear Watson! But as we know the system is flawed which is why we are here.

Verizon's Vestberg: Dodging Bullets or Fixing the Lines?

Duffy claims he spoke to Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg who assured him Verizon is working 'as fast as possible.' Fast as possible? In the Matrix 'fast' is relative. It's how quickly you can download a kung fu program into your brain. But in the real world 'fast' often means 'next quarter.' Time Mr. Anderson is always against us.

More Money More Problems? The Modernization Plan

Ah yes the age old solution: throw money at the problem. The Department of Transportation wants to spend tens of billions of dollars to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system. But remember what Cypher said: 'Ignorance is bliss.' Maybe we shouldn't fix the system. Maybe we should just convince everyone that flight delays are normal. No that's not the answer. We must fight for a better reality.

Delay Reduction: More Like Delay Extension?

And finally Duffy plans to convene a 'delay reduction' meeting with the airlines. A meeting! Because nothing says 'urgent solution' like a lengthy PowerPoint presentation. He wants a 'manageable number of flights' landing in Newark. Well isn't that just precious? He really think he can manage the chaos like a god playing SimCity. Neo are you seeing this? The illusion of control is strong with these people. Perhaps we should help them unplug.