Well said. There are always two sides to every conflict, and rarely is it ever as simple as the good-vs-evil narrative that we're given.

(Written on 2022/11/25)(Permalink)

Aerospace engineering has always emphasized redundancy in order to prevent single points of failure. Going from 2 backups to 1 isn't nearly as big a step as 1 to zero. Even with 2 pilots, we've seen plenty of incidents resulting from the crew becoming dependent on automation and not knowing how to handle system failures.

(Written on 2022/11/25)(Permalink)

There is indeed a key to both the doors and the ignition, similar to a car. Where I learned to fly, the aircraft were parked outside (hangar space was more expensive), and the keys were in a binder in the office. The office was locked after hours, but during the day, it wouldn't have been hard to get to them, but relatively few people would have known where to look, and I guess the ones that did were honest. Of course, the fuel truck was also kept locked when not in use. The aircraft on the ramp are already tied down to eye loops in the ground (in order to avoid movement by wind); it would certainly be conceivable to find a way to lock these. But it's funny to think, over 20 years after 9/11, that most general aviation airports still work on the principle of security through obscurity.

(Written on 2022/11/04)(Permalink)

Yet it's routinely only the city of Jackson with water issues, not the rest of the state. And as for your non sequitur regarding taxes and wages, is Mississippi not subject to the same minimum wage as the rest of the nation? Everything has to be partisan for some people...

(Written on 2022/11/04)(Permalink)

Not to mention a battery with comparable weight (relative to its energy storage) to jet fuel. Look how much more electric cars weigh than comparable ICE ones. In aviation, that kind of weight gain won't fly... If you'll pardon the pun. ;)

(Written on 2022/07/22)(Permalink)

From the picture in the other article, it looked like police and fire crew had most of the road blocked. Although it's funny you should mention that, since on my way home, traffic suddenly came to a halt on the freeway as everyone was trying to merge left. I assumed it was a crash that had the right lane blocked but it turned out... It was just someone pulled over by police. The law here is to move over OR slow down for stopped emergency vehicles; you don't have to do both...

(Written on 2022/07/15)(Permalink)

I wouldn't consider a last-minute equipment substitution equivalent to overbooking since it wasn't done intentionally, and not to mention, other airlines have this happen too. But I do agree that if you get bumped, you should be compensated. I find it hard to believe this isn't happening already.

(Written on 2022/07/15)(Permalink)

I do agree with you on that. I'd prefer downvoted comments not get hidden, but at least you can still opt to see them. I look forward to seeing how Twitter goes under new management. :)

(Written on 2022/04/29)(Permalink)

Well, if we want the constitution amended, there's a way to do that. That it hasn't been attempted suggests there's not as much support for changing the second amendment as you might think.

(Written on 2022/04/29)(Permalink)

At least they don't (yet) apply a retroactive fuel surcharge after the ticket is paid for. Some of the cruise lines do this.

(Written on 2022/04/29)(Permalink)