Subject: Re: Potomac crash - VAS Aviation
We know they're understaffed, but so far (present tragedy excepted) it has generally been possible to operate a functioning air traffic system even with the understaffing.

Uhhhhh...sure. Go take a look at VAS Aviation and you'll videos of TCAS warnings and some near misses. Many folks in the aviation industry have been saying something like this is only a matter of time.

BTW, Congress voted - in a rare show of bipartisan unity - to INCREASE the amount of air traffic into Reagan last year. The vote in the Senate was 88 to 4 with the 4 "no" votes being the Senators from Virginia and Maryland.