Posted on Oct 21, 2016
What is a legitimate cause for worry when flying in a passenger airplane? - Quora
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Once when taking off from Oakland, CA, the plane hit something in the runway just after we rotated (the nose wheel left the ground) but the main gear were still rolling. All overhead compartments opened. The oxygen masks fell in front of our faces. (I reached for it then stopped myself. Hell, we weren't but a few feet off the ground yet) A life raft slid from an overhead compartment and landed in the aisle with a thud. The pilot clicked on the intercom but didn't say anything. A few moments later, he clicked it on again and said "whoops". We never did get a complete explanation, but shortly into the flight, the pilot switched on the intercom again and shouted, "Quick, everybody look out the right side of the plane!" It was night and a rocket was launching from Vandenburg. The first stage burned until about level with us when the second stage ignited and it disappeared like a rifle bullet (faster actually).
What is a legitimate cause for worry when flying in a passenger airplane? - Quora
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Posted 8 y ago
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While serving on embassy duty in sub-Saharan Africa I was on an Air Ivoire flight (airline of the Ivory Coast) they used to land their smaller jets with the cockpit doors open. We were diverted to Freetown Sierra Leone because of low visibility in Conakry Guinea. As we came out of the clouds, still nose down, all I could see from left to right through the plane windshield was asphalt. I was concerned.
When visibility was restored in Conakry we could not fly out on our plane because they were flying mechanics from France to repair our landing gear. Three days later, we flew out on the same plane. I was concerned.
When we left Conakry the flight was over booked. They lined us up about 100 feet from the plane and told us if you made it on the plane and got into a seat, you got to fly out. Otherwise there was a three day wait for the next flight to Kinshasa. I was concerned
When I sat in my chair, I realized that only one of eight bolts sticking out of the floor to hold my seat had a nut and washer on it. I was concerned.
They got a guy with a hammer to come on the plane and try to bend one of the bolts over to secure the seat better. The bolt sheared, so they gave me a choice, fly as is, wait for the next flight, or they would take the seat out and I could sit on the floor. I was concerned.
The lady sitting next to me had two live hens hung around her neck tied together with a boot lace around their feet, and a live piglet in her carry on bag, I was concerned.
The lady with the chickens and the piglets shared the most awesome satay on a stick with me. So it was all worth it.
When visibility was restored in Conakry we could not fly out on our plane because they were flying mechanics from France to repair our landing gear. Three days later, we flew out on the same plane. I was concerned.
When we left Conakry the flight was over booked. They lined us up about 100 feet from the plane and told us if you made it on the plane and got into a seat, you got to fly out. Otherwise there was a three day wait for the next flight to Kinshasa. I was concerned
When I sat in my chair, I realized that only one of eight bolts sticking out of the floor to hold my seat had a nut and washer on it. I was concerned.
They got a guy with a hammer to come on the plane and try to bend one of the bolts over to secure the seat better. The bolt sheared, so they gave me a choice, fly as is, wait for the next flight, or they would take the seat out and I could sit on the floor. I was concerned.
The lady sitting next to me had two live hens hung around her neck tied together with a boot lace around their feet, and a live piglet in her carry on bag, I was concerned.
The lady with the chickens and the piglets shared the most awesome satay on a stick with me. So it was all worth it.
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Maj John Bell
SFC (Join to see) - It sounds good, but when you don't have a visa you get to stay in the airport. At the time it was more like a really big bus stop than anything like an "International Airport". (notice I said bus stop and not bus station) I'm ashamed to say that little old ladies and infants got no slack from me. They didn't give any back either though.
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On a flight into Phnom Penh, we had to abort a night landing to avoid hitting a water buffalo on the runway. The landing gear missed it by feet, as the wingtip missed the ground by the same. Is this a normal thing to worry about? Probably not, unless you often fly to Southeast Asia, but I can say "it's the only time I've actually been scared on a commercial aircraft".
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Makes a GREAT story... but seriously, when it's over, hit the knees & rattle the beads. What else CAN you do?
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