Anyone who works for a company large enough to employ a technical
support staff knows that if something's not getting done, Y2K will
take the rap. There are Y2K deadlines to meet and they take
precedence over the smoke and sparks emanating from your PC.
So it's not surprising to hear that a couple of major U.S.
airlines have been citing Y2K testing as the reason for delays on
various flights. The only problem is that while the delays were
real, Y2K had nothing to do with them.
Apparently ground crews have been using the millennium version
of "My sister ate my homework," on inquisitive passengers. When one
of the curious folk turned out to be employed by the FAA, the cover
story was blown.
I'm not sure that I'm glad the airlines got caught. Better to
think my flight has been delayed so that our skies might be safer
come the millennium, than to know that some numbskull in first
class boarded late at the other end. I just hope they're working on
some new excuses for next year.