What a mess. I call commercial flying these days as a refined form of torture. I won't do it unless there's no viable alternative, such as a cross-country trip.

(Written on 2017/06/16)(Permalink)

I think the builders would know how to fix it if it failed.

(Written on 2017/05/19)(Permalink)

The airlines always claim they need to overbook, but the airline I use most frequently (AA) when I have been traveling always asked for the volunteers BEFORE boarding the plane. This avoids most of the problems.

(Written on 2017/04/28)(Permalink)

That fellow was lucky that thing wasn't more poisonous than it was, or that he was no apparently allergic to it.I wonder, didn't he realize what it was in the first place? You just don't pick up a scorpion.

(Written on 2017/04/14)(Permalink)

As a meteorologist, I can assure you that the global models get updated with satellite winds just after model initialization, and the satellite winds can see otherwise unforecast storms out over the oceans even if there are no surface stations or other upper air observations available. Therefore, if the aircraft didn't load enough fuel to complete the flight, the problem is with them, not the weather. Even if the storm forecasts are not perfect, they are still good enough for proper flight planning.

(Written on 2016/04/08)(Permalink)

I like it too. Kudos to the developers.

(Written on 2016/02/26)(Permalink)

You meant B-52, I presume.

(Written on 2015/11/13)(Permalink)

The Brass hats have wasted more $$ in the last few years than it took to fight WW-II. The A-10 was properly designed for its role, the F-35 is not. The idiots that thought one plane could fill the roles for all the services are proved wrong once again, they never learn. If they want a new fighter, they should build improved F-22's, or better reprise the YF-23. A new ground-attack plane, build more A-10's. In such a role, stealth buys you nothing and costs a fortune.

(Written on 2015/11/13)(Permalink)

I still think a air rifle firing BB's or .177 cal pellets is best. Range is only ~600', and it doesn't make the noise of a regular gun. Of course, he'd have to be a better shot than with a shotgun loaded with birdshot, but still i'd be safer ...

(Written on 2015/10/30)(Permalink)

I travel on the Government dime, so I keep the boarding passes for submission to the Travel office. Fail to do so (or destroy them) & you won't get reimbursed.

(Written on 2015/10/09)(Permalink)