although it does take a lot of time to get the flight hours for a pilots license,the trianing private pilots of any age receive is no where near what is given frequently to those who pilot commercial aircraft..there have been many private plane crashes in the last year or so reported,some fatal,some not,so it cannot be justified to say mr ford got away with something because of his celebrity" status..yes,he did make a mistake that could have been more serious..that is obvious..the decisison regarding his license or his training or whatever,was up to the faa and they made a judgement..

(Written on 25/09/2020)(Permalink)

i remember a time when airports (at least the smaller ones) did not have jet bridges.you went right from the ticket counter to a gate area to a big outside glass door where you walked onto the tarmac several hundred feet,to a moveable stairs, and went onto the airplane..some airports had a canopy,simlar to the old one on decks,,that was elongated and in inclement weather ,you walked under that to the stairs..simpler times,no security checkpoints and happier travellers..

(Written on 24/09/2020)(Permalink)

robert..this just shows you birds dont care what your political affiliation might be,because the skies and the air actually are their domain!although its a good thing the aircraft didnt have a major accident,possibly this might give mr pence time to think about the reality of what is going on now in the world..!

(Written on 23/09/2020)(Permalink)

the article says only that aa will begin training pilots on the 737max with updates..it does not say the aircraft will be in use anytime soon..aa is doing massive layoffs of pilots,flight attendants,ground personnel and other oct 1,so just who are they going to train?

(Written on 22/09/2020)(Permalink)

oh for gosh sakes people..just get and wear a face mask! thre are many different ones you can purchase that have apppropriate nose and mouth covering,fasten securely behind the ears with elastic or by ties.so just dont make a big deal of it..you are protecting not only yourself,but others by wearing one, and you should respect others as you want the same for you!the airlines have the right to request specifics,just as a restaurant can say you must have on a shirt or shoes to dine in their establishment..please be mature and dont act as if your rights are being "infringed upon"!

(Written on 21/09/2020)(Permalink)

having done weights and balances on regional aircraft, i can tell you that even in the bigger jets,75 pounds makes a difference..have any of you ever seen the video of a dc10 a few years back,actually dragging its tail with sparks as it took off because it was improperly loaded? despite almost everything being done by computers now,there are still errors, and even the computer is programmed for specific weights of passengers,whether adult or child,and also the amount of cargo and baggage loaded and where..the weight of the aircraft is also inclusive of the equipment/systems on board,as well as the amount of fuel needed,and being off 75 pounds would make a difference...

(Written on 18/09/2020)(Permalink)

more power to them if they can continue the practice of keeping middle seats open..i have not flown them in a while,but they used to be a carrier who did not offer specific seat assignments..rather,you had to go on board by whichever group you were in and color of boarding pass,and take any seat available..if the flight was not full,most people chose aisles or windows and the middle seats were empty anyway..with fewer people flying,it might not be an issue at all..

(Written on 17/09/2020)(Permalink)

whatever works..! lets hope the customers come back in order for new aircraft to be a profitable purchase...

(Written on 16/09/2020)(Permalink)

i was guessing any flight would be suspended or cancelled due to the air quality and visibility in the area..i am guessing in washington and california,there may be restrictions as well..its awful to see the pictures...

(Written on 15/09/2020)(Permalink)

the updcoming furloughs is not a new news story..this has been reported several times and also the fact that no more "relief" is in sight for the airline industry..it is highly unfortunate that an industry,which actually is very important to the economy,will be allowed to suffer thanks not just to a virus,but to further unecessary inaction by congress..we are not talking a few hundred jobs and livelihoods here,but thousands and thousands of people from all the carriers..when there is a possible solution ,why balk? mcconnell,mnuchin,meadowas and the rest should have their paychecks stopped to see how others might suffer..disgraceful,and yes,although this site is not meant for political discourse,this is a serious political issue affecting the entire aviation industry!!!

(Written on 14/09/2020)(Permalink)