ukranian law allows passengers to be sentenced to 13 hours of seated arrest on boeing prison aircraft if flying from Kiev to New York. Passsengers get to work on conversational ukranian for hours at a time to pass the time, given no inflight movies or music. The technical stop is to technically refuel the aircraft, which technically cannot fly without refueling. The genius who devised this routing is elgible for the next padded cell available in either new york or kiev.

(Written on 22.09.2020)(Permalink)

this character is from the group of americans who like to obey only the laws they like or understand, very familiar through american history, but this case needs special attention, for these folks who disdain masks or proper masks or designated masks, put others in jeopardy, thus putting themselves on the do-not-fly-like -that list. Don't even try to justify that action as being against personal rights, for nobody has the right to place others at risk out of their own bullheadedness or ignorance or stupidity. Just do as the airline demands or get your ass off the plane and start walking, or biking, or bussing.

(Written on 21.09.2020)(Permalink)

Has to be skunk works, and i expect it to be splendid. Chinese and Russians ought to be more than a little concerned. The secrecy is unusual- no warning, no bragging in advance, so we all get to see the wisdom of the new means of design, production, testing and deployment. Maybe the nickname "zorro" would be correct....

(Written on 17.09.2020)(Permalink)

the big deal is about short-term job cuts at boeing and airbus lasting for months or years. Demand will rebound and product offerings will happen to improve the fuel consumption of both manufacturers offerings. The airlines will buy or lease newer planes only when demand returns. Who knows when that will happen.....It is like a horse race, and the finish line is far away at this time.

(Written on 16.09.2020)(Permalink)

this is astonishly ill-advised, for unless the pilot used to be a BlueAngel or THunderbird demonstration pilot, what could go wrong with close formation flying? Maybe the pilot flew tanker aircraft or used tankers to refuel- again, what could possible go wrong ????? Don't expect an autopilot to make this a safe operation. Whoever seriously pitches this catastrophe-in-waiting should walk the plank into being fired.

(Written on 15.09.2020)(Permalink)

at the very least this is unreasonable. However, kids can be infectious, carriers of the covid, so i understand just a little bit here. This is not a case of the left being a bully- it is letting all of us know the virus is serious, it kills, and trivializing the protective mask response is ignorant.

(Written on 14.09.2020)(Permalink)

so be it. The selfishness and scientific ignorance has a visible measurement in the 700 morons who care not to act in the better interests of fellow citizens and virus candidates. These folks prattle about their rights, ignoring their obligations to their fellow americans and earthlings. Let them walk, ride their bikes or drive their cars to locations served by airlines.NO sympathy.

(Written on 13.09.2020)(Permalink)

civil freedoms my ass- the virus can be spread before any symptoms of the carrier are in evidence, and if you had not slept through virology class you would remember this. Masking is a small intrusion, a termporary one until the spread of the virus is halted, then eradicated. You will get over it. Make your case when some real intrusion occurs warping your civil rights- but i will make noises before you do if that is the case.

(Written on 12.09.2020)(Permalink)

the anti-science/anti-government factions constitutionally are allowed to spout their ignorance. THey are not allowed to infect others because they are ignorant. The science is solid, the anti-reasons are more emotional than fact based, so who ya gonna believe when dozens of people are stuck in a airliner for a few hours, plenty of time for passing the virus around. sit down, shut up, wear a mask or get off the plane and hitchhike. your choice....

(Written on 12.09.2020)(Permalink)

absolutely astonishng.... Flight managers having to be pilots again, and not very good pilots at that. Remembering instrument training, i had to fly one hour sessions, and then longer ones to gain the skill, competence and confidence to smoothly manipulate the controls. Airlines are not eager to mandate manual flying refreshers to keep piloting skills, as that would be a cost not connecting to revenue. Glider flying is a dandy way to keep the feel and the coordination, at little real cost. This revelation happens not often, but it clearly points out the problem of button pushers, auto-pilot watchers, losing their piloting skills, endangering their passengers as well.

(Written on 09.09.2020)(Permalink)