As I write this, news is coming in about a United Airlines pilot who issued a “mayday” call and had to make an emergency landing at Sydney Airport.
These sorts of headlines might concern those with a fear of flying, but in fact this incident, and others like it, should be cause for comfort.
Continue reading How ‘incidents’ actually improve air safety
As a child, I was lucky enough to enjoy annual holidays at the beach. So, while I’m not a great swimmer, I’m very aware of the pleasures — and dangers — of swimming in the sea.
Sadly, many people who visit beaches have never been taught about the challenges of the surf. And that can be fatal.
Continue reading Don’t let a trip to the seaside end in tragedyJust when you thought the era of the “trolley dolly” was over, one airline has cottoned on to the idea that sex sells, and another stands accused of discrimination against a cabin crew member management described as “fat, ugly and old”.
None of which, in my opinion and that of the crew member herself, are relevant to her core duties: to assist passengers throughout the flight and, especially, if there is an emergency.
Continue reading Forget their looks or size, all cabin crew deserve our support
The terrible events in London have once again brought terrorism to the forefront.
Those who commit these acts choose their targets carefully: they want to disrupt the daily lives of residents and to persuade would-be visitors to stay away. Their aims are to inflict immediate damage and to create long-term economic harm.
Another week, another horror story about customer service on airlines. This time it’s about a woman who says she was told by United Airlines cabin crew to urinate in a cup.
Of course, there are different ways to interpret the story, but it does — once again — highlight an important issue: exactly how much control airline crew have over their passengers.
Although airline incidents are rare, and flying is statistically much safer than driving, we all sometimes have concerns when we fly.
I know a few people who refuse to fly with certain airlines because of a past incident or a belief that there is a greater risk of an accident.
So lists like that of the world’s safest airlines are eagerly read.
