V-Flyer

After the Helios disaster, I have my reservations about the 737...and Jetstar is not much better with their 727s[V]

Although it is absolutely no consolation to the poor souls who perished in the Helios tragedy.

It is always said that it is good time to travel after a disaster.

I am sure that complacency never enters that minds of pilots, cabin crew or aircraft techs, but an event like this always makes people even more determined that that a/c that are working on or flying in will be as safe as they possibly can be.

Nick

Tragic as it always is, you've just got to get on.

Just flew back from LED to KBP on an old 737-200 which was in not bad nick at all despite it age. My 7 week old son was on it as well, on his first ever flight. Did not even cross our minds about the tragic accident in Greece.

Iain

Originally posted by s0436
After the Helios disaster, I have my reservations about the 737...and Jetstar is not much better with their 727s[V]

All models have had incidents, but for the most part air travel is pretty safe.

Plenty of 747's have gone down, but I'll gladly get on one tomorrow. The way I look at these things is roughly as follows: when a Ford Focus is involved on a fatal road accident, do I consider avoiding all Ford Focus' in future? The answer is a big resounding "nope!", and so I apply the same logic to flying.

I would hope at least the Virgin Blue/Jetstar aircraft (being new and all) would have good air con systems and oxygen supplies, which if failed, would still allow the captain to easily descend to a lower altitude and then make a safe emergency landing.

I wouldn't be surprised if Helios cut costs, took too many risks, didn't maintain a/c properly, and they probably bought ancient aircraft from bigger airlines for dirt cheap prices. The offices of Helios have been raided by police as a result of the tragedy.

If it is any consolation, if you did perish like the Greek Cypriots on board that fateful flight, chances are you would've died within a few seconds from apoxia and therefore wouldn't have felt the force and terror.

Originally posted by s0436I wouldn't be surprised if Helios cut costs, took too many risks, didn't maintain a/c properly, and they probably bought ancient aircraft from bigger airlines for dirt cheap prices.

From what I understand this craft was quite new. The problem is, like in the aftermath of all air tragedies, that there simply isn't enough information to draw a reasonable conclusion from yet - it's a huge jigsaw and there's only a few pieces available at the moment.

Pretty much every crash is a build up of events/desicions/random factors which can play out differently depending on the combination.

As Colmc says,it's way to soon to be jumping to conclusions.At 30k+ feet the pilots have only seconds to react if there is a drop in cabin pressure,it may just be they didn't react quick enough.This of course has happened before,the most famous of which arguably would be the Lear carrying Payne Stewart.

Originally posted by colmc

Originally posted by s0436

: when a Ford Focus is involved on a fatal road accident, do I consider avoiding all Ford Focus' in future? The answer is a big resounding "nope!", and so I apply the same logic to flying.

Want to buy my Ford Focus?...after owning this Ford Focus I Will NEVER own another again...

Originally posted by iforres1
Just flew back from LED to KBP on an old 737-200

Blimey that must be old. Werent they the ones with the engines that run from the front right the way to the back of the wing?

I used to fly on those as a kid out to spain (probably getting on for 30 years ago now) along with other classic such as the bae1-11, trident and tristar. Ahh a trip down memory lane.

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
Blimey that must be old. Werent they the ones with the engines that run from the front right the way to the back of the wing?

Well, they may be old, but Good ol' RyanAir are still getting a lot of use out of them [:0]

Well, they may be old, but Good ol' RyanAir are still getting a lot of use out of them

I think they've only got two/three in active service now. Most of their fleet is 738's now

Originally posted by preiffer

Originally posted by p17blo
Blimey that must be old. Werent they the ones with the engines that run from the front right the way to the back of the wing?

Well, they may be old, but Good ol' RyanAir are still getting a lot of use out of them [:0]

The US goverment,I mean Janet airlines still uses them,I mean they don't use them becuase they don't fly to a place that isn't there...confused..read on http://www.area51zone.com/janet.shtml

Also here,but please remember..according to the goverment these planes are not going anywhere..

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.s ... ords=janet

Don't be afraid - the 737 is a great aircraft! VB's aircraft are new, very well maintained and flown by highly trained and professional pilots!

Enjoy your trip! [8D]

Originally posted by Kaptin K
Don't be afraid - the 737 is a great aircraft! VB's aircraft are new, very well maintained and flown by highly trained and professional pilots!

Enjoy your trip! [8D]

Thanks! If you are ground/cabin crew, I may see you next month, I'll be down at Sydney, Proserpine and Brisbane:)

Virgin Blue's 737s are NGs (new generation, or does it stand for next gen?) and are new -700s and -800s. I had to fly 5 legs total (Three on VB) during a 8 day stay (two days taken up by flying..)

I flew an old Westjet 737-200 (Kelowna - Vancouver, very short hop of 40 mins) 2 years ago, and it was delivered to Western pacific in 1977. Also, the same time, I flew a JAL 747-300 (delivered 1986) Tokyo - Vancouver, return. So don't be afraid - if you're lucky, you might get a humourous cabin crew! I sure did!

Well, on the positive side, Jetstar have their new A320s!