I notice a lot of comments on the publisher’s website stating that “shouldn’t it be the pilot’s job to check the plane?” It is to a certain degree, but it remains impractical to check for contaminants once you’ve left the gate. On many aircraft the pilot would have to leave the flight deck and go back to the middle section of the aircraft near the wing to access whether the de-icing was done sufficiently. That now compromises the flight deck with a fully fueled aircraft and likely would delay numerous flights since you need 2 pilots to conduct any aircraft movement on the ground safely. At the end of the day we just have to trust all of the resources we have. Truly, this event epitomizes great CRM. Kudos to the flight attendant and possibly the pax who spotted this. This is why we have such a phenomenal safety record compared to many other countries.

(Written on 03/05/2021)(Permalink)

To me, this seems like another cover-up. Where did the videos of MANY, MANY eye witnesses stating they saw a rocket type device fly up and hit the plane? I read a book regarding this flight with the author stating he had proof rocket propellant residue was on some of the seat material and a puncture hole (from the outside going in) was visible in the wreckage. I don’t think the NTSB will ever tell us the truth about what happened. Why did the FBI take the lead on this when it first happened?

(Written on 02/26/2021)(Permalink)

Cool. Not a lot of 4 engine jets still flying anymore. I’m fortunate enough to fly one of them though! :) I’m wondering why they went with that model of aircraft for their needs. That one has got to be hard to get serviceable parts for. It’s almost like the old 20 series Lear jets going to South America. It seems there is always a niche for old planes.

(Written on 02/13/2021)(Permalink)

If you don’t want to put yourself at risk, stay home. Let the rest of us that want and need to travel go about our business. Take a horse and buggy for all I care.

(Written on 02/01/2021)(Permalink)

Show me the science that masks do anything to prevent the virus from getting through it. Science that shows peer reviewed studies. There is plenty of evidence that says masks don’t work. Not for viruses. If they did we would have normalized their use every flu season. That said, when you check in with a private airline (Delta), you agree to their rules, as ridiculous as they are. Don’t like it? Write the airline and don’t use them. Sucks, but that’s the only way they will stop forcing people.

(Written on 12/05/2020)(Permalink)

As a pilot of an airline that still flies these, I’m hearing rumors Boeing, in the end, may not stop the production of these when orders / high demand for them still there. With the A380 production stopped, what other aircraft can haul people or freight in the numbers of the 747? 777? Not quite. 787? Probably not worth bothering converting it for freight. The 747 has a nitch a 2 engine airplane just can’t fill.

(Written on 10/16/2020)(Permalink)

This would be just another day in Alaska. If you need gas, you land on the highway. Although many just land on sand bars for fun. Watch out for the people that want to call 911 *for* you after you pull off to the Chevron station...

(Written on 09/18/2020)(Permalink)

The first rule of beverage passing (should be mandatory IOE training) is to take the cup and pass it to the pilot on the outside shoulder as to not EVER get close to spilling it on the center console. It also happens to be where the cup holders are on most jets anyway. Problem solved! :D

(Written on 09/13/2020)(Permalink)

OK, here goes. I am a frequent traveler as my fly for a large part 121 airline and have to commute back and forth to work via Alaska Air and also Delta as my first 2 picks. If a private carrier asks/requires customers to use a mask, that’s their prerogative, as they are not a public agency. First off, while masks are “required” to board, I find that only about 70% on board actually keep their masks on *correctly*. I see a lot of people taking the mask down below their nose and breathing through their nose. Secondly 90% of the people will pull their mask down at some point to drink or eat. The longer you have it pulled down, the longer your “exposure” to the virus. Realizing these first 2 points, what constitutes? “Not wearing their mask? If I sip on water the whole flight am I violating the policy? I respect airlines trying to keep their customers safe, but if people are concerned with being safe, why are they flying and potentially exposing themselves? High risk people probably shou

(Written on 07/10/2020)(Permalink)

It’s still flying passengers and boxes around the world and does things NO other aircraft can do. In the freighter configuration it hauls more weight farther than any other production airplane. When departure and arrival slots are limited, you need to make every flight count. We routinely fly at or near max takeoff weight out of HKG coming back to the states. The -8 version hauls even more weight and does it on less fuel thanks to the GenX engines. There aren’t a whole lot of airplanes that can get off the ground at 1 million pounds of take-off weight. The -8 did it in certification flights.

(Written on 06/26/2020)(Permalink)