I'd fly using a tiny airport with a pilot I trust (like Bob Minkin). I just turned down a chance to see the Laver Cup in S.F. in September in small part because of having to use commercial flights.
A conversation about airline safety in the era of DOGE and Elon Musk:
Rolling Stone: FAA Officials Ordered Staff to Find Funding for Elon Musk’s Starlink
James Fallows, longtime private pilot: Corrupt? Sure.
But also directly dangerous? And how!
FAA has done careful, long testing /study of new tower-communication system. Now a rush to switch to system that *just happens* to be owned by Mr. Efficiency himself, Elon. (Has he even been to an ATC facility? Probably like Vance re Ukraine)
Regan Wilks: In boardrooms around the world, airline executives are discussing what will be more harmful to their share prices: sounding the alarm on this, or the inevitable plane crashes
Fallows: I think this is correct.
Everyone involved in aviation KNOWS FOR SURE that reckless/ rampant changes of past six weeks will, *for sure,* make airplane crashes more likely. But no airline exec wants to be the first to say this in public.
Here's a change: For years I'd say that the more people knew about aviation, the more they'd reassure you about the safety of airline flights.
Now, the more people know about aviation, the more concerned they are about Doge FAA/ATC/NOAA/NWS assault.
Thursday i am doing an event in DC that ive done every year for the past 15 years, The ' Aviation Week Magazine Laureate Awards '...if there is any insight to be gleaned about this supposed new flight risk, i will hear about it and report back...
I've been thinking about it and I guess I don't feel any more nervous about a plane I'm on crashing than I ever have. I used to be afraid I'd get mangled in a plane crash but after Greg died it didn't really matter to me. I didn't feel like there was anything waiting for me at home. I feel differently now, and I guess this thread has helped me think about it.
Unfortunately, the logistics of travel are made more difficult by my diminished physical abilities, but I'm still thinking about it. Not about the Laver Cup in September, but going to see family sometime? We'll see.
Getting on a big ole jet airliner tomorrow morning for spring break in Florida. Our usual direct flight on Alaska from PDX to Orlando (which is halfway more or less between my folks' place in St. Augustine and my partner's parents' place in Fort Myers). Three nights WSP>Trey Solo in Orlando>Three nights Billy Strings, with lots of visiting with family in between.
Didn't get Billy tickets for the third night because I had a trial scheduled for the following week and thought I needed to get back for that, but the case just settled so now we can hang around all weekend. Tickets will be impossible of course (dude sells out 15,000 seat arenas and the St. Augustine Amphitheater only holds 4,000). But I know where you can hang out in the swampy woods right next to the venue fence and will bring some camp chairs and bug spray for the third night if it comes down to it. Sound is crystal clear and loud and its always a party on the Billy lot.
Haven't got return tickets yet but hoping to use our Alaska miles for that.
>>>>As a little kid I used to dream that I was flying
Don't have much of those, but regularly dream of zooming through the water like a fish.
Oh I used to fly higher, maybe a couple hundred feet at most and go for great distances sometimes. There was an element of fear at times, like I'd go too high or couldn't maintain flight. Seemed soaring birdlike, riding the breeze with no flapping in the mix. Definitely was compelled to go for it as opposed to doing a safe landing and end it. I'd push it for the thrill. There was thing of getting up far enough and maybe your 4' limit represents something? Been years, decades since I last flew. Never crashed... do recall needing to get above wires for safety, always felt safe once I was up above trees and wires etc. I was always observing the ground, don't recall buildings, I was always out in the country. Who knows what it means if anything. I'm sure some swami could explain it all. Probably just a bored brain
>>>Joe, I hope that's not a slide of your latest colonoscopy test.
I just saw this, Alan. Lol. Pretty liquidy looking. I hope the doc learned how to duck when he saw that ;) Fortunately for me, that's a fresh pot of jungle juice, but it often does bring in the vision of the Condor, and when that happens, flying is what follows.
i can report back that while there was no immediate mention of a decline in safety, a recently made new friend at that event said there is a pitched battle going on behind the scenes to dramatically reduce the ATC workforce and turn it all over to AI...
for the life of me i cannot see how that could go sideways...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
I'd fly using a tiny airport
I'd fly using a tiny airport with a pilot I trust (like Bob Minkin). I just turned down a chance to see the Laver Cup in S.F. in September in small part because of having to use commercial flights.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Flying is for the birds.
Flying is for the birds.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MikePA
i fly week in and week out
i fly week in and week out and am more worried about my safety while driving the 76 miles to the airport than i am in a plane
Elon is full of shit
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Semolina Pilchard
I haven't been on a plane
I haven't been on a plane since 1997, and don't see myself getting on one again anytime soon, if ever.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MikePA
Wow - i fly around 75k - 100k
Wow - i fly around 75k - 100k miles a year, 95% for work and tho its arduous at times, its not that bad...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Floating Flasher
This is why getting to the
This is why getting to the Phil tribute in December at Sweetwater was so important to me
And this was exactly what I was afraid of and of course want to go back West now when it's no longer feasible
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: El Nino
A conversation about airline
A conversation about airline safety in the era of DOGE and Elon Musk:
Rolling Stone: FAA Officials Ordered Staff to Find Funding for Elon Musk’s Starlink
James Fallows, longtime private pilot: Corrupt? Sure.
But also directly dangerous? And how!
FAA has done careful, long testing /study of new tower-communication system. Now a rush to switch to system that *just happens* to be owned by Mr. Efficiency himself, Elon. (Has he even been to an ATC facility? Probably like Vance re Ukraine)
Regan Wilks: In boardrooms around the world, airline executives are discussing what will be more harmful to their share prices: sounding the alarm on this, or the inevitable plane crashes
Fallows: I think this is correct.
Everyone involved in aviation KNOWS FOR SURE that reckless/ rampant changes of past six weeks will, *for sure,* make airplane crashes more likely. But no airline exec wants to be the first to say this in public.
Here's a change: For years I'd say that the more people knew about aviation, the more they'd reassure you about the safety of airline flights.
Now, the more people know about aviation, the more concerned they are about Doge FAA/ATC/NOAA/NWS assault.
Do you feel safer now?
https://jabberwocking.com/so-hows-it-going-in-the-friendly-skies-these-d...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dimethyllovebeam
To hell with planes, Fly the
To hell with planes, Fly the Truly Friendly Skies...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Joe I hope that's not a slide
Joe I hope that's not a slide of your latest colonoscopy. If so, no more fermented papaya /python jungle stew for you!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MikePA
Thursday i am doing an event
Thursday i am doing an event in DC that ive done every year for the past 15 years, The ' Aviation Week Magazine Laureate Awards '...if there is any insight to be gleaned about this supposed new flight risk, i will hear about it and report back...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Flying into Baltimore tonight
Flying into Baltimore tonight. Power outage there this AM.. can't wait
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
I've been thinking about it
I've been thinking about it and I guess I don't feel any more nervous about a plane I'm on crashing than I ever have. I used to be afraid I'd get mangled in a plane crash but after Greg died it didn't really matter to me. I didn't feel like there was anything waiting for me at home. I feel differently now, and I guess this thread has helped me think about it.
Unfortunately, the logistics of travel are made more difficult by my diminished physical abilities, but I'm still thinking about it. Not about the Laver Cup in September, but going to see family sometime? We'll see.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: frenchiethetickler
I miss flying in my dreams!
I miss flying in my dreams! That was fun and exciting. Wonder why it never happens anymore?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Floating Flasher
Good deal, Mike
Good deal, Mike
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Floating Flasher
Astro!
Astro!
As a little kid I used to dream that I was flying but it was always only like 4 ft off the ground belly down arm spread
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
Getting on a big ole jet
Getting on a big ole jet airliner tomorrow morning for spring break in Florida. Our usual direct flight on Alaska from PDX to Orlando (which is halfway more or less between my folks' place in St. Augustine and my partner's parents' place in Fort Myers). Three nights WSP>Trey Solo in Orlando>Three nights Billy Strings, with lots of visiting with family in between.
Didn't get Billy tickets for the third night because I had a trial scheduled for the following week and thought I needed to get back for that, but the case just settled so now we can hang around all weekend. Tickets will be impossible of course (dude sells out 15,000 seat arenas and the St. Augustine Amphitheater only holds 4,000). But I know where you can hang out in the swampy woods right next to the venue fence and will bring some camp chairs and bug spray for the third night if it comes down to it. Sound is crystal clear and loud and its always a party on the Billy lot.
Haven't got return tickets yet but hoping to use our Alaska miles for that.
>>>>As a little kid I used to dream that I was flying
Don't have much of those, but regularly dream of zooming through the water like a fish.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: frenchiethetickler
Oh I used to fly higher,
Oh I used to fly higher, maybe a couple hundred feet at most and go for great distances sometimes. There was an element of fear at times, like I'd go too high or couldn't maintain flight. Seemed soaring birdlike, riding the breeze with no flapping in the mix. Definitely was compelled to go for it as opposed to doing a safe landing and end it. I'd push it for the thrill. There was thing of getting up far enough and maybe your 4' limit represents something? Been years, decades since I last flew. Never crashed... do recall needing to get above wires for safety, always felt safe once I was up above trees and wires etc. I was always observing the ground, don't recall buildings, I was always out in the country. Who knows what it means if anything. I'm sure some swami could explain it all. Probably just a bored brain
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dimethyllovebeam
>>>Joe, I hope that's not a
>>>Joe, I hope that's not a slide of your latest colonoscopy test.
I just saw this, Alan. Lol. Pretty liquidy looking. I hope the doc learned how to duck when he saw that ;) Fortunately for me, that's a fresh pot of jungle juice, but it often does bring in the vision of the Condor, and when that happens, flying is what follows.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MikePA
i can report back that while
i can report back that while there was no immediate mention of a decline in safety, a recently made new friend at that event said there is a pitched battle going on behind the scenes to dramatically reduce the ATC workforce and turn it all over to AI...
for the life of me i cannot see how that could go sideways...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Floating Flasher
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