Newark Airport Loses Radar: Like Peas and Carrots, Except One's Gone!

Bubba Gump Would Be Grounded

Well hello there! Forrest Gump here reporting on something that sounds almost as confusing as advanced mathematics. Seems like the folks at Newark Airport had a bit of a pickle early Friday morning. The radar that thing that keeps planes from bumping into each other like bumper cars went on a little vacation for 90 seconds. Now I may not be a smart man but I know that planes need that radar like I need Jenny. You can't fly without it it's like trying to run a marathon with leg braces you just can't do it.

Like April Showers Except With Airplanes

Now this ain't the first time this has happened. Back in April something similar happened and it caused a real mess. Flights were delayed people were cranky and I bet even Lieutenant Dan wouldn't have been happy. Seems like some of the air traffic controllers got a little stressed after that and who can blame them? It's like fishing in a hurricane you're bound to get a little rattled. The FAA said it caused some controllers to take leave seems they were really stressed out.

Dark Screens and Silent Radios

The article said the controllers couldn't talk to the planes and their radar screens were dark! Reminds me of that time when the power went out during the storm and all I had was Jenny's laughter to guide me. I did not like that but I think that those controllers liked it less! No communication and no radar. That's a scary situation even worse than trying to explain ping pong to Bubba.

Uncle Sam to the Rescue?

But hold on! Just when things look as gloomy as a rainy day in Vietnam along comes Uncle Sam with a plan. A fella named Sean Duffy the Transportation Secretary unveiled a plan to fix the old technology. He wants to give the airports a shiny new makeover. It's like taking an old shrimp boat and turning it into a fancy yacht. Should be great.

Money Honey! (For Airplanes)

Now fixing things costs money and they're talking about billions of dollars. That's more money than I ever made shrimping and that's saying something! But everyone seems to agree it's a good idea. The folks who work at the airports and the folks who fly the planes all want the improvements. They're saying Congress should open up their wallets. It's like Bubba always said 'Shrimp is the fruit of the sea,' and in this case money might be the fruit of safe skies.

Run Forrest Run...Safe Skies!

So there you have it. Newark Airport had a little hiccup but hopefully with some new technology and a whole lot of money everything will be as smooth as a calm day on the bayou. And remember what Mama always said: 'Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're gonna get.' But with a little luck and a whole lot of radar we'll all get where we're going safe and sound.