It is some years now, since I read All Four Engines Have Failed and I suspect i read the book all those years ago quickly on holiday.
Now that I have more time to read it and because of my left hand, I find books physically difficult, I’m savouring the words more. The author, Betty Tootell had a background in PR, so probably has a way with words and she takes great care to paint a graphic picture, as concern starts to spread through the some-filled cabin, as it appears fire is coming out of all four engines. Just like in films like The Poseidon Advanture, there are leaders and those who follow, and those who put together downright lies to keep order on the plane.
One thing that I hadn’t remembered from my previous read was that the incident happened at a time (1982), when there was still large amounts of smoking on passenger planes. So if the same thing happened today, would there be worse panic, as smoke in the cabin is now so rare?
The further I get into the tale, the more I think that it would make a superb film. I’m a bit surprised no-one has, as the author, put a lot of dialogue into the text and the aircraft and its spectacular pyrotechnics could be easily simulated by computer.
I suspect though, that over the years, we’ve got more worried about flying, rather than less and that British Airways probably wouldn’t co-operate with the film company, for fear of educating the punters in the wrong way.
On the other hand, after the fears about the Icelandic volcanic eruptions of recent years, the incident has been talked about a lot in the media and most people probably know the happy ending of the tale.
August 21, 2012
Posted by AnonW |
Transport/Travel | Books, Films, Flying |
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Augusta National seems to have forgone it’s ban on women members, by inviting two women to join, one of whom is Condolezza Rice. It’s all here in the Guardian.
I remember a tale from a few years back, where someone in Houston, was employing a new secretary. One of those who came for interview,said, that she was a woman, black and Jewish and therefore she ticked three boxes. She got the job, as coincidentally, she was also the best applicant.
So did Augusta choose Connie because she ticked two? The other lady is white and blonde!
I have a feeling that Tiger Woods is not a member!
But then I’m very much in agreement with Groucho Marks on clubs.
I wouldn’t join any club, that would have me as a member.
But then, I’m a member of that dark club called widowhood.
Race, gender and sexual orientation are not restrictions as to membership.
August 21, 2012
Posted by AnonW |
News, Sport | Golf, Race, Widowhood |
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I walked through Islington Green today and there is now a coffee stall at the opposite end to the statue of Hugh Myddleton.
Giddy Up Coffee Stall On Islington Green
The guy running it is Australian, so it would appear, what with my physio and the chiropodist, the area now seems to have an increasing number of businesses, with Aussies in charge.
August 21, 2012
Posted by AnonW |
Food, World | Coffee, Islington |
1 Comment
EggsMilkButter, the cafe opposite my house, is now open.
The cappuccino was excellent and the wi-fi connection was strong. Although, it is just a few metres too far away to connect to my own router, but that is down to geography and my wi-fi.
August 21, 2012
Posted by AnonW |
Food, News | Coffee |
4 Comments
These short haul flights between Manchester and London are just what we don’t need, as proportionately, they generate more carbon emissions per passenger than long haul flights.
Would Virgin be running them, if they still had the franchise to run trains on the West Coast Main line?
As someone, who’s travelled on this line north of Manchester and seen the overcrowding, it could be argued, that perhaps Virgin should be running flights between Glasgow and Manchester. Hopefully this problem will get easier, when the extra and bigger Pendelinos are running at the end of this year.
But really short haul flights in this country are not needed, if we make sure the train service is good. Except of course when you need to get to an island, like Jersey or the Isle of Man, or across the Irish Sea. Having experienced the train line to Inverness, you might argue that the North of Scotland might need flights, but new trains up the East Coast and better connections in Edinburgh and Glasgow, might even force the airlines off those routes.
August 21, 2012
Posted by AnonW |
News, Transport/Travel | Flying, Glasgow, Global Warming/Zero-Carbon, Manchester, Trains, Virgin Airlines, Virgin Trains |
4 Comments
The Anonymous Widower 