"Just Plane Lucky" - A National Tabloid Today
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"Just Plane Lucky" - A National Tabloid Today
The article has 7 pictures of damaged aircraft either that has crash landed, or landed successfully but with damage sustained during flight. An example of which is the BMI Airbus that sustained damage after flying through some severe weather.
The general gist of the article at the beginning looked to me like yet another public slagging match of the safety of airlines and flying in general. Especially with quotes like "These pictures will strike terror into anyone planning to jet off for a holiday this summer."
Contary to this however, the article then goes on to tell 9 anecdotes of how aircraft have successfully managed to let all passengers disembark without a single fatality. Some of these stories were:
* Learjet crashed in NW London, into the A40 road. All on-board escaped with only minor injuries.
* Britannia B757 crash-landed on approach to Girona, Spain. Aircraft broke into three pieces after the crash landing during a heavy storm. Everyone walked away again.
Then there was a story of more stupid proportions.
* Certain private pilot (name was public in news article), crashed into a street lamp after take off. He was under the influence of alcohol. He and his two passengers walked away again - him with a very small £1,000 fine. (Should have been a prison sentence in my opinion - and his PPL revoked)
* Described as being "something from the movie Airplane!", when a Continenetal Airlines MD-80 crashed through the passenger lounge when maintenance crews were testing the engines.
So to sum up - is the press too harsh on the airline industry ? And is this article at last a piece of good publicity ?
My point is - the incident with the Airbus flying through bad weather received front page headlines. This would deter possible future fliers, which in turn is obviously bad for the industry. If this were a boat carrying passengers going through some rough seas, and suffered from some damage, and the passengers got a little scared and tossed around - would it receive the same bad publicity ?
The general gist of the article at the beginning looked to me like yet another public slagging match of the safety of airlines and flying in general. Especially with quotes like "These pictures will strike terror into anyone planning to jet off for a holiday this summer."
Contary to this however, the article then goes on to tell 9 anecdotes of how aircraft have successfully managed to let all passengers disembark without a single fatality. Some of these stories were:
* Learjet crashed in NW London, into the A40 road. All on-board escaped with only minor injuries.
* Britannia B757 crash-landed on approach to Girona, Spain. Aircraft broke into three pieces after the crash landing during a heavy storm. Everyone walked away again.
Then there was a story of more stupid proportions.
* Certain private pilot (name was public in news article), crashed into a street lamp after take off. He was under the influence of alcohol. He and his two passengers walked away again - him with a very small £1,000 fine. (Should have been a prison sentence in my opinion - and his PPL revoked)
* Described as being "something from the movie Airplane!", when a Continenetal Airlines MD-80 crashed through the passenger lounge when maintenance crews were testing the engines.
So to sum up - is the press too harsh on the airline industry ? And is this article at last a piece of good publicity ?
My point is - the incident with the Airbus flying through bad weather received front page headlines. This would deter possible future fliers, which in turn is obviously bad for the industry. If this were a boat carrying passengers going through some rough seas, and suffered from some damage, and the passengers got a little scared and tossed around - would it receive the same bad publicity ?
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Scaremongering cobblers - especially as half those incidents are not even commerical flights (and the Learjet one is 5(?) years old.
Which tabloid? I'm not in the UK so missed this wonderful piece of journalism (written, no doubt, by the git who scripted "The Day Britain Stopped").
Which tabloid? I'm not in the UK so missed this wonderful piece of journalism (written, no doubt, by the git who scripted "The Day Britain Stopped").
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The Scottish Sun - A really serious, influencial newspaper know what I mean 
How can anyone take the opinion of a newspaper that has a naked girl on page three, while important headlines (eg: World news, finance and politics) are relegated to small columns in the middle section.
But, the problem is: The readers of these newspapers are your cleaners, builders and general lower working class (not exclusive to them though). These people tend to know that planes fly, take off from a runway, and usually at the end of their flight they disembark for a week/fortnight holiday !
- and that is about it.
It is these people that are easily lead by crap published by their "Daily Bible", therefore whatever aviation related press is in such tabloids is going to affect the industry as people that know nothing of flying is going to be put off, due to their lack of knowledge.
How can anyone take the opinion of a newspaper that has a naked girl on page three, while important headlines (eg: World news, finance and politics) are relegated to small columns in the middle section.
But, the problem is: The readers of these newspapers are your cleaners, builders and general lower working class (not exclusive to them though). These people tend to know that planes fly, take off from a runway, and usually at the end of their flight they disembark for a week/fortnight holiday !
- and that is about it.It is these people that are easily lead by crap published by their "Daily Bible", therefore whatever aviation related press is in such tabloids is going to affect the industry as people that know nothing of flying is going to be put off, due to their lack of knowledge.
Putting aside the fact that this was the usual sensationalist, un-informed take on aviation from The Sun, can you imagine what Joe Public was thinking as he settled into his seat that morning for his fortnights holiday in the Med and opened his paper at this article?
Even by Sun standards this was desperate stuff, one of the stories was dredged up from the late 70's. I really don't know how journalists get off on this sort of rubbish. Just when you think aircraft/aviation stories can't get any worse in the media, they suddenly do. And no I didn't buy the paper, it was left in the crewroom, honest.
Even by Sun standards this was desperate stuff, one of the stories was dredged up from the late 70's. I really don't know how journalists get off on this sort of rubbish. Just when you think aircraft/aviation stories can't get any worse in the media, they suddenly do. And no I didn't buy the paper, it was left in the crewroom, honest.
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I wouldn't get too upset about anything published in the yellow press. It was obviously a slow news day and they must have had that story canned for a while and dredged it up when they had empty space. Sounds like a timeless story.
I don't think the person planning a holiday in Mallorca is going to cancel his trip because of this. Sh*t happens. We have railway accidents, we have ship accidents, car accidents and we also have airplane accidents. I don't think that the Sun is particularly after the airline industry.
Don't get your bowels in an uproar over this one. It's a non-newspaper which people read for entertainment and not fact.
Interestingly, did the photos carry any credits (AP, Reuters, AFP, etc.). If not, the Sun probably lifted them from a web site. Now, that is criminal.
I don't think the person planning a holiday in Mallorca is going to cancel his trip because of this. Sh*t happens. We have railway accidents, we have ship accidents, car accidents and we also have airplane accidents. I don't think that the Sun is particularly after the airline industry.
Don't get your bowels in an uproar over this one. It's a non-newspaper which people read for entertainment and not fact.
Interestingly, did the photos carry any credits (AP, Reuters, AFP, etc.). If not, the Sun probably lifted them from a web site. Now, that is criminal.
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There is something timeless about this kind of thing, even amoung some professionals. Wasn't it just yesterday I read on pprune about a NW A320 flying itself into a holding pattern at Detroit Wayne County, with "70 circuit breakers" being pulled in the right order as the engines sucked fumes ("thank god they put enough reserves on board to stay in the air long enough!") to wrest control back from the naughty HAL9000 that Airbus install for a FBW system. It was obviously utter nonsense, but as (I think it was) Oscar Wilde said, "Interesting if true. And interesting anyway." I blame George Kennedy.
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For some people The Sun is the source of all knowledge, the fountain of wisdom, that brightens up the readers lifes (hence "The Sun") with a little dab of politics, current affairs and the like - don't forget a LARGE helping of "totty" and soap plots.
Most of the readers wouldn't know a REAL newspaper, even if one were rolled up and smacked against their heads.....
I do see LatviaCalling's point of view....
Well, you never know. If you had a bad experience in the street - would you never go outside the door again !?!
Of course not. (Although yes it has happened, and getting the victims to go back outside is a bit of a stuggle - mostly with OAP's.)
Most of the readers wouldn't know a REAL newspaper, even if one were rolled up and smacked against their heads.....
I do see LatviaCalling's point of view....
I don't think the person planning a holiday in Mallorca is going to cancel his trip because of this. Sh*t happens. We have railway accidents, we have ship accidents, car accidents and we also have airplane accidents.
Of course not. (Although yes it has happened, and getting the victims to go back outside is a bit of a stuggle - mostly with OAP's.)
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Don't you all realize, all aircraft are the work of the devil?!!. The press are only there to sell news papers. You never hear about the countless passengers that are moved around the world safely every day because it does'nt sell papers. likewise you never hear about medivac helicopters or the Orbis flying eye hospital or any other "good" things our wonderful industry does. IT MAKES ME MAD!!!!!!!!!!! 
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I can remember Waugh writing in the Telegraph a few years back describing the "Sun" as the newspaper in which life's losers read about life's winners.
Had me laughing for a while.
Gusty
Had me laughing for a while.
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Whilst the press no doubt occasionally scares off passengers most have no choice but to fly if they wish to travel any distance and even the Sun readers understand that flying is one of the safest forms of travel per mile. However, I believe that the airline industry could do much more to increase passenger numbers by making air travel less like cattle herding and more like a pleasure even if it does not get grin-producing.
The 'cattle herding' is mostly caused by the airport authority but airlines have their part to play at check-in and during boarding. It would be nice to see BAA, for example, give back some of their retail space to the passengers and provide free lounges for all to relax and watch TV or a video whilst they wait. It would also be nice to be able to read a book or hold a conversation in peace without the constant noise of loudspeaker announcements, most of which are totally unneccessary.
Airlines could provide enough staff at check-in to reduce waiting times to 5 minutes maximum or provide e-check-in systems. They could also speed-up their boarding procedures so that it would no longer be necessary to get passengers to a gate with inadequate seating 45 minutes prior to departure.
The airline industry needs to get well quickly but to stay well it needs to work hard to make air travel a pleasure - a tough job.
The 'cattle herding' is mostly caused by the airport authority but airlines have their part to play at check-in and during boarding. It would be nice to see BAA, for example, give back some of their retail space to the passengers and provide free lounges for all to relax and watch TV or a video whilst they wait. It would also be nice to be able to read a book or hold a conversation in peace without the constant noise of loudspeaker announcements, most of which are totally unneccessary.
Airlines could provide enough staff at check-in to reduce waiting times to 5 minutes maximum or provide e-check-in systems. They could also speed-up their boarding procedures so that it would no longer be necessary to get passengers to a gate with inadequate seating 45 minutes prior to departure.
The airline industry needs to get well quickly but to stay well it needs to work hard to make air travel a pleasure - a tough job.
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Top comment soddim
Having had the dubious pleasure of flying LHR-FFT return, and attempting to get LHR-LIN recently you have hit the nail well and truly on the head for me.
I allow 45 mins for what should be a 20 minute ride in a taxi, eventually check in to be able to: spend ages inching though security, to be called to a gate with a closed coffee shop and bu&&er all else, and then expected to amuse myself until we get shephered down a pontoon into a seat, having got past the crush of excess baggage being crammed into overhead lockers. All that assumes that the flight is going to leave somewhere near time, else its more thumb twiddling with little, if any information until it gets to the point it is no longer worth going (hence the abandoned LIN trip).
With the time it takes to pfaff around at LHR, I can amble to EGLM, drive the car to the baggage door, load up and be airborne before the equivelent getting to security. Admittedly, this is not everybodies option, but becoming more attractive every time LHR expands without doing anything for the surrounding travel & increasing the delays betwen arriving & departing.
Come on BAA - world class airport LHR is not any longer, a prime reason to fly is to save time, not to stare at featureless rows of queuing people and seats wondering how to while away hours.
[Eidt fur spilleng]
Having had the dubious pleasure of flying LHR-FFT return, and attempting to get LHR-LIN recently you have hit the nail well and truly on the head for me.
I allow 45 mins for what should be a 20 minute ride in a taxi, eventually check in to be able to: spend ages inching though security, to be called to a gate with a closed coffee shop and bu&&er all else, and then expected to amuse myself until we get shephered down a pontoon into a seat, having got past the crush of excess baggage being crammed into overhead lockers. All that assumes that the flight is going to leave somewhere near time, else its more thumb twiddling with little, if any information until it gets to the point it is no longer worth going (hence the abandoned LIN trip).
With the time it takes to pfaff around at LHR, I can amble to EGLM, drive the car to the baggage door, load up and be airborne before the equivelent getting to security. Admittedly, this is not everybodies option, but becoming more attractive every time LHR expands without doing anything for the surrounding travel & increasing the delays betwen arriving & departing.
Come on BAA - world class airport LHR is not any longer, a prime reason to fly is to save time, not to stare at featureless rows of queuing people and seats wondering how to while away hours.
[Eidt fur spilleng]
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Learjet accident occurred longer ago than you think Moggie - 13 August 1996.
The big problem is the length of time between an incident and a sensible report being published on the cause(s). When the newspapers get it wrong, you can usually expect the "apology" will be contained in less than a column inch at the bottom of page 15!
...and now I'm awaiting someone from Virgin to tell us all what really happened on flight VS900, last Saturday.
The big problem is the length of time between an incident and a sensible report being published on the cause(s). When the newspapers get it wrong, you can usually expect the "apology" will be contained in less than a column inch at the bottom of page 15!
...and now I'm awaiting someone from Virgin to tell us all what really happened on flight VS900, last Saturday.
Last edited by newswatcher; 2nd Jun 2003 at 19:54.
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(Still off the topic, but can't help but add...)
Not sure what the figures are today, but as of a few years ago BAA made more money from retail than flight ops. My prediction is: Longer wait times, more retail, less passenger-friendly facilities (e.g. quiet lounges) that might detract from the £/sqft retail volume.
Funnily enough, I also remember the marketing director for Schiphol saying their goal was to put people on aeroplanes (now there's a novel concept). They even had a target: 45 minutes from entering to boarding.
Not sure what the figures are today, but as of a few years ago BAA made more money from retail than flight ops. My prediction is: Longer wait times, more retail, less passenger-friendly facilities (e.g. quiet lounges) that might detract from the £/sqft retail volume.
Funnily enough, I also remember the marketing director for Schiphol saying their goal was to put people on aeroplanes (now there's a novel concept). They even had a target: 45 minutes from entering to boarding.
Paxing All Over The World
I can remember Waugh writing in the Telegraph a few years back describing the "Sun" as the newspaper in which life's losers read about life's winners.
I shall not push this thread further towards a BAA Bash but "Yes" to all comments. Not to mention that LTN is heading down the same path.
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**************************************************
Most of the readers wouldn't know a REAL newspaper, even if one were rolled up and smacked against their heads.....
**************************************************
Perhaps if those in the industry showed a better attitude towards their "bread and butter" passengers the airline industry wouldn't be in such a mess today.
...also there might be less crashes due to Pilot error if they were less arrogant and listened to ATC, Co-pilots etc occasionally...
Most of the readers wouldn't know a REAL newspaper, even if one were rolled up and smacked against their heads.....
**************************************************
Perhaps if those in the industry showed a better attitude towards their "bread and butter" passengers the airline industry wouldn't be in such a mess today.
...also there might be less crashes due to Pilot error if they were less arrogant and listened to ATC, Co-pilots etc occasionally...
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Another crash; another tabloid !
! Please see this article first ! - EDIT: This link doesn't work for some reason -
Please copy and paste this into another web browser http://satellite-uk.tripod.com/pprune1.jpg
Yep, page 27 of a national tabloid newspaper, and here we go again. Sharing a page with "top" news from Charlotte Church's boyfriend, there as a article about the Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed.
You see how the picture is bigger than the text ???
To quote:
I think I've proved my point again- in reference to
my last thread on tabloids and aviation
- Can anybody remember the pop act "The Cheeky Girls" on KLM flight in a Fokker 50 ???
- The 100 passengers said that when they entered the flightdeck, the plane started going all over the place.
Please copy and paste this into another web browser http://satellite-uk.tripod.com/pprune1.jpg
Yep, page 27 of a national tabloid newspaper, and here we go again. Sharing a page with "top" news from Charlotte Church's boyfriend, there as a article about the Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed.
You see how the picture is bigger than the text ???
To quote:
Terrified crowds feared another September 11 outrage when a plane smashed into a block of flats......
my last thread on tabloids and aviation
- Can anybody remember the pop act "The Cheeky Girls" on KLM flight in a Fokker 50 ???
- The 100 passengers said that when they entered the flightdeck, the plane started going all over the place.
