The Anonymous Widower

The Volcanic Dust Farce

Farce is not too strong a word.

I was listening to Simon Calder last night on BBC Radio 5.  He was very critical of government and government agencies locking down UK airspace, when if we’d used the US rules, flying would just have been a little more difficult.

Now under EU rules, airlines and tour companies are liable for a lot of the costs of the delays suffered by passengers. But if these delays were caused by bad government science then who pays?

I would not be happy with a bill for several thousand pounds, so I would want someone to pay me.  If the airlines felt the government were at fault, then it would end up being a bean feast for lawyers.

This one will run and run!

I think though that this farce, shows Nulabor in all their stupidity.  They did nothing but hide behind the rules, then they sent a couple of gunboats and then they had to cave in when they were the only European government that was banning flying.

What would I have done in Prudence’s place?

I would have made sure that as soon as possible we tested all of the science and engineering.  If this was being done, we didn’t know about it, which shows how this government feels that nanny-knows-best secrecy is the best policy.

I would have brought in expert advice from countries like the United States, where they have a lot of experience and different rules about flying in volcanic ash. 

In the end they imposed American rules and the airports opened. 

If they had worked quickly, instead of hoping the problem just went away, the airports would have been opened a lot early.

Let’s hope the people of the UK realise who’s to blame for much of this farce.

April 21, 2010 Posted by | News, Transport/Travel | , , , | 2 Comments