So apparently, Apple Maps has twice now given turn by turn directions to drivers who ended up crossing an active runway at the airport in Fairbanks, Alaska. Having used maps quite a bit and once been taken to a home owned by “Lana Bowling” when I was looking for a “Bowling Alley” I have to admit that I can see how this could happen. But to me, the crazy part of this whole story isn’t that a map application failed to give good directions, but that the headlines for the story focus on the app INSTEAD OF THE DRIVER!
Who takes their GPS unit or their map app of choice so literally that they actually drive across an active airport runway?? “Oh look, there’s a really large jet landing. I guess we should cross here anyway!” – said no one EVER (unless, of course, they’re one of the 2 yahoos driving in Fairbanks looking for the airport). And if you see airplanes on a runway, wouldn’t that be some kind of clue that you’re, oh, say, AT THE AIRPORT??! Couldn’t you then just LOOK AT THE SIGNS to find your way to the terminal? Most airports have those (terminals AND signs that direct people to them).
And if you don’t want to put the responsibility on the shoulders of the iPhone loving drivers, you’ve still got another choice long before you blame a piece of software. How about the Fairbanks International Airport for not having fences or gates to restrict access to a road where JETS ARE LANDING?? Seems like that shouldn’t be an option to drivers, no matter how bad the turn-by-turn directions may be from a small phone in the car.
Thoughts? Opinions? Planning a trip to Fairbanks to try the directions for yourself? Weigh in on the matter in the comments below.
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