” But the main point is that here was a highly trained professional, engaged in a personal call, which subsequently caused him to miss something that should have been on his radar, as it were — particularly as alarms were sounded. It’s likely his eyes were even on the vessels in question, as he realized, too late, however (owing to divided attention), he had to “straighten stuff out.””

As reference for my comments:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/regions/usa/NTSB-Revises-Hudson-Mid-Air-Assessment-NATCA-Off-Crash-Probe_34602.html

http://www.ntsb.gov/Speeches/hersman/daph090916.html

I think any proponent of outlawing distracted driving could usefully employ computer simulations to show its effects. Wobbly driving, poor reaction times and missed stop signs would all show up more strongly in a highly monitored virtual study than in the real world where near misses aren’t counted!

I note, however, you didn’t specify whether you applied that lesson to the real world.

I have been known to play online computer games. The kind of ‘first person shooter’ where you play against other real people from around the world, and navigate a complex 3d environment while looking out for hazards, and responding.

I can vouch from experience that if i get a phone call in the middle of a game, I will spend the duration of that conversation dying repeatedly (In these real-time games, it’s not possible to pause).

I was very surprised to find that the part of the brain that processes visual and spatial relations is also the one that processes chit chat and making plans.

Now if I get a phone call I navigate my character off into a dark corner and hide, rather than risk trying to multi-task…