IMMEDIATE CUT-IN REQUESTED

The Avian Broadcast Company [ABC] is reporting that a USairways Airbus A320 jet full of humans impacted a flock of geese flying in a clearly identifiable ‘V’ formation over the eastern shoreline of the main food source, about a 1/2 days flight east of the large garbage source. ABC is reporting numerous fatalities in the formation. More to come.

Lighten up, Anita.

As I leave my house, my wife and I have a routine that goes like this…..

Wife: Have a safe flight

Me: I’ll do my best, but it’s really up to the pilot. If he’s having a good day, we all have a good day. If he’s having a bad day………

I then give her a kiss on the cheek and I am out the door.

We all have our own ways of going through life. Mine is hopefully to have a smile on my face as I approach anything.

That said, US Air Flight 1549 did not have a single casualty in its crash. The flight crashed, but nearly everybody walked away from the aircraft. Two women broke their legs. That’s it. No loss of life. When was the last time that happened in commercial flight?

So, given that the passengers were extremely lucky that the entire crew (not just the CO) on board kept their wits and did their jobs, saving lives (on the ground as well as the passengers, not to mention their own) in the process, I think we are allowed a little gallows humor.

Think of narrowly avoiding an accident and joking about it afterward to relieve the tension and adrenaline.

Anita, after this, I’d fly with your husband anytime, any flight. The executives at US Air may not have their heads screwed on right, but their crews sure do. I’m proud of them all.

Now, for my own flight humor, this one gleaned from a commercial pilot:

“A good landing is a landing you can walk away from. An excellent landing is one where you can use the aircraft again.”

The last line isn’t completely self-explanatory. In most airline computer systems, FLIFO text is automatically programmed. The operations agent enters the delay time and a code and automated text is given to the agents and sent to the Web site to help describe the reason to customers.

The code “ADJ” is a sort of catch-all when the cause can’t be assigned to weather, maintenance or something like that. The text “FLIGHT CANCELED DUE TO AN OPERATIONAL ISSUE” isn’t something some dunderhead entered after he learned the flight went into the river; it’s an automated catch-all meant to provide a blanket statement to fit a variety of subjects. There is no code for “FLIGHT CANCELED BECAUSE IT LANDED IN THE HUDSON RIVER.”

An entry requesting FLIFO should have brought back a computer response like “FLIGHT LOCKED OUT.” Every airline employee knows what that means.

Somebody at USAir goofed.

And, Janice, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that – gallows notwithstanding – the humor was lost on me. Maybe I’m too close to the subject.

FACT CHECK!
http://www.spiritair.com/Policiesinflight.aspx#drinks

Juices $3 Sodas $3 Hot Drinks $2 Water $3

Janice, let’s try this scenario: Your MOTHER falls down a flight of stairs. Breaks her leg and ends up in the hospital.

Where’s the HUMOR in that?