If the IBM 3083 and the field testing problems aren't enough
to keep the FAA project managers (and the rest of us) up at
night, there is more interesting news: The whole thing might
crash anyway.
TIME Digital went to some Y2K consulting firms for a second
opinion about the FAA's Y2K challenges. These are the
people in the business of converting large-scale corporate
computer systems, and they've got the experience dealing
with Y2K problems of this magnitude.
Asked about the FAA's situation, one high-ranking industry insider confided, "It is impossible for any business or organization to be completely Y2K-compliant. Our computer systems are so interconnected, both directly and through the basic infrastructure, that no one can isolate themselves from the problem." The pros, in other words, are not trying to solve the problem so much as contain it. But that's not good enough for the FAA. MORE>>