Originally Posted by
Sunfish
In my opinion, the reaction of the regulators was measured, proportionate, prompt, cost efficient and minimised both risk and disruption to the public to a bare minimum.
Appreciate your knowledge on turbine blades, do you know how many there are on a Piper, or a microlight, or a glider ? Those folks running the regulator probably don't - in fact some are on record as stating "‘I know nothing about aeroplanes".
But you know, don't you ? So you must know what the
other unspoken risk of VA is that grounded all these aircraft along with the jets ?
"measured" ? "proportionate" ? More like knee-jerk, incompetent, a**e covering. (unless you can enlighten us as to the VA risk to gliders ?).
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And as to the "minimised disruption" - you are having a laugh.
The regulators and governments meanwhile did absolutely **** all to help for several days until shamed into action by the media. Even then it was pathetic - over a week IIRC to get
five or so coaches out of Madrid and a navy ship that they decided could take a whole 250 people from Santander (until the commander probably torpedoed the rest of his career by taking more). Tour operators were moving convoys of 30 coaches at a time inside a couple of days, and chartering ships for 2000 pax at a time.
Politicians talked out of one orifice about "dunkirk spirit" whilst effectively ordering the
closing the channel ports to small boats trying to get people across (can't cross the channel on small private boats these days apparently - watch out GA, you'll be next). Immigration staff (presumably idle) at airports were not deployed to sea ports, resulting in queues hours long and broken onward transport arrangements. UK immigration at Calais was so well organised that our coach was sent through it
twice (while ferry staff were counting down the minutes to departure).
"minimised disruption" ? Actively hindered anyone elses attempts to do so is more like it.
The whole affair was a classic example of our overstuffed EU/UK bureaucracy which has no plan, no clue, and no ability to respond other than by getting in the way.
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