We Have the Technology (and sometimes it works)
Technology—specifically information systems technology—can be so frustrating. Case in point: the arrival and departure information on our main website.
There are two ways to view arrival and departure data and it's important to know the differences between the two.
- The arrival and departure tables. These are found at www.flyspringfield.com/arrivals.htm and www.flyspringfield.com/departures.htm . The data that fills these tables comes from the main computer systems at the individual airlines, with the exception of the Allegiant data, which comes from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As a user of the data, it's important for you to know that this information represents what is scheduled to happen. Sometimes the airlines update it and sometime they don't. It is, at best, a rough idea of what is supposed to happen.
- The FlightView Map. You can find the link to this on the airport's home page: www.flyspringfield.com . Click on the circle that says "FlightView Map." That data that appears on the map comes straight from FAA computer systems. When a plane takes off, the FAA enters it into the system. So in theory, and practice, the data shown on the map is the most accurate to be had. Unlike the arrival/departure tables, the map only shows what has happened—not what is supposed to happen.
So if want the most accurate information, look at the FlightView map. That's assuming that it's working—which is the point of this post. The map has been down most of the afternoon. We've contacted the map provider, located in Chicago, and they're working on it.
Update on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 08:56AM by
Kent
Kent
There's a good story in today's Wall Street Journal that ties into this post. You frequent travelers may find some useful tips in it.
3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
Is the building of the new airport going to raise airport fees for the airlines? If so, this certainly isn't going to make SGF more competitive to lower rates to draw travelers to SGF from TUL, MCI, STL. Any comments on this is appreciated.
I fly SGF frequently and have enjoyed the WiFi access on each and every prior experience at the terminal. But recently a colleague of mine indicated that he was having trouble connecting to our corporate VPN tunnel while here in the terminal.
Since I've connected to our VPN numerous times in the past, I helped him try a few connection alternatives to no avail. Lo and behold, now that I'm in the terminal once again, I cannot connect to our VPN client either!
Will you please examine your network configuration for the WiFi Zone here at SGF to ensure sufficient ports are opened to permit normal Corporate VPN access through the system?
Many Thanks in Advance,
~SP
Thanks for the heads-up Stephen. We're on it!