Air France: Missing plane probably crashed into Atlantic
PARIS, France (CNN) -- The jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that disappeared overnight as it entered an area of strong turbulence probably crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, the CEO of Air France said Monday.
The first three hours of what was to have been an 11-hour flight appear to have been uneventful, CEO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said.
But about 4:15 a.m. Paris time, Flight 447's automatic system began a four-minute exchange of messages to the company's maintenance computers, indicating that "several pieces of aircraft equipment were at fault or had broken down," he said.
Yeah. This is exactly what I need to hear right now. I really need to hear that a plane got "lost" and more than likely crashed into the fucking ocean. Why not toss in some hijackers and a rabid pitbull with AIDS while we're at it? Maybe some ninja monkeys carrying a vector for the flesh-eating virus just for good measure.
Look, I know the statistics. I'm something like ten thousand times more likely to get killed riding my Harley than in an aiplane. Yes. The logical side of my brain knows the facts; that air travel is complete safe, blah blah blah. But that's not the side that controls my sphincter; that wakes me up in the middle of the night screaming AAAUUUUGGGHHHH I AM GETTING ON A FUCKING PLANE BUILT BY THE LOWEST BIDDER...
Okay, I feel better now... Four more days...
That is all.
14 comments:
The plane was probably built by union labor.
Riding a motorcycle or driving in a car may be more dangerous, but it is not as humiliating i.e. TSA, etc. Plus, you don't have to share your seat with 1/4 of some 350+ pounder that oozes over the armrest.
The plane was piloted by the French. When the plane encountered weather the pilot surrendered!
Better to get on a plane flown by a red-blooded American...better yet with a texas twang in his voice!
Fair winds and following seas, bud!
They come in threes
zombie ninja monkeys, dude.
Check out Amtrak next time. Trains are fun!
God invented booze to soothe the fears of man. That is why so many airline mechanics and pilots drink.
Inform family that Daddy will need to be heavily medicated, then stay geezed until arriving at the destination terminal. Repeat for return trip.
Most of all, you must ignore all of the airline announcements that contain the word "terminal."
Look at it this way: airline crashes are pretty rare events so the fact that a major crash just happened means that the odds of your flight crashing just went down.
To riff on Anonymous' statement, plane crashes are a *very* unusual event, and make *big* news when they happen.
You noticed the "big news" part. Just remember the "very unusual" part, too.
It was an Airbus, and I'm pretty comfortable flying on them. Different set of design decisions than Boeing makes, sometimes, but good, solid planes.
I'd think that the pilot had less leeway in flying around the storm than you'll have, because the fuel load is very carefully calculated before takeoff, which means on a Rio-Paris flight, he'd likely have to divert to west africa.
If you have to divert, it would be to Pittsburgh. Or Charlotte. Or Atlanta. Whole different ball game than trans-Atlantic.
My $0.02 worth. Void where prohibited.
Alcohol.
Copious quantities of alcohol.
;)
Look at the alternatives: Cancelling the trip and having your children hate you for 6 months or spending 24+ hours in a car/train/bus.
Take some Bonine, it's over the counter, it should prevent motion sickness and it'll knock you out so you sleep the whole flight.
Look at it this way: If you auger in, you won't have to live in Massachusetts anymore, you won't get old and have to deal with prostate exams and colo-rectal checks, and you won't be a taxpayer in Obama's America anymore.
It's all in the point of view.
And don't worry too much when the plane starts shuddering in turbulance: it happens all the time, and is nothing to be afraid of. Especially in storms...
And for gawd's sake, don't look out the window! The lil' guy out by the engine doesn't need an audience! >:)
That you're statistically safety in an Airbus --even operated by the French -- than on your motorcycle is indisputable. But hazardous as it is to operate a 'cycle in traffic, at least you have the illusion that you have SOME small control over your fate. It's not ALL in your hands, but it FEELS better to think you can exercise some direction.
Strapped into an airliner seat, you're totally, completely, merely a ride-along. Your input is unneeded; nay, is totally undesired. Sit still and be serene. All is well. Nothing can possibly go wrong, -ong, -ong, **SCREECH** . . .
Some of y'all aren't exactly helpin'...
;)
Airbus.
Flight control software by Microsoft.
BSOD.
I have nothing more to add.
Regards,
Rabbit.
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