toptuan Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) After reading news of so many flights that have crashed in bad weather over the last 3-4 years, I personally might just walk away from a flight that was in the process of boarding during such weather. At least at that point you have a choice to save yourself. Unfortunately, when you're in the air and face the prospects of landing in turbulent weather, you don't have much of a choice (To stewardess: "Would you mind asking the pilot just to wait this one out, in a holding pattern?") If you were at a Thai airport (other than Swampy) and observed heavy winds and driving rain at the gate, would you abandon your flight--possibly losing the ability to get a refund on your ticket--but possibly saving your own life? Edited August 4, 2009 by toptuan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonthaburial Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Yes I did just that 2 weeks ago when I learnt that the number 8 typhoon signal had been raised in HK. If birds dont fly in such weather i am danm sure I wont neither. Before checking in turned around and went back home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerrylee Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Yes I did just that 2 weeks ago when I learnt that the number 8 typhoon signal had been raised in HK. If birds dont fly in such weather i am danm sure I wont neither. Before checking in turned around and went back home All flights suspended/diverted automatically upon signal No. 8 going up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptuan Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Unfortunately, no such public "signals" at Thai airports. . . it's your own call.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apetley Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm sure the pilot wants to stay alive just as much as I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krading Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm sure the pilot wants to stay alive just as much as I do. Hang up a couple of more amulets and go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mca Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm sure the pilot wants to stay alive just as much as I do. Unless in a previous job he was a local Isaan bus driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdman Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) Think you can trust the airline, if you are on a major one. Wonder, if someone threatened by bad weather refused to fly and wanted to go back home, slipped outside (or...) the airport and died, while the flight was normal. Edited August 4, 2009 by Birdman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodee Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I am a great believer in what will be,will be,so i would board the plane and trust the judgement of the airways company.Maybe if your time is up you will get killed in a taxi after refusing to fly. Mai Pen Rai/som nam na Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 For what it's worth, many airlines that service Thailand do behave responsibly. Whatever their failings are, SQ, TG, EVA, CX and even CAI don't screw around. They won't put an expensive plane and the lives of PAX in danger needlessly. I'd think even Air Asia would consider the value of a hull before putting it at risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesyndicate Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Did not a SQ crash on lift of like 2 meters after it started to fly in crazy weather? I have another theory since i have foil hat. With the bad times we are in now, the planes fly trough the storms instead of around them to save fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangla Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Wonder, if someone threatened by bad weather refused to fly and wanted to go back home, slipped outside (or...) the airport and died, while the flight was normal. sounds like a scene from final destination 4 it really has to be terrible weather for me not to board the plane. in fact the weather would have to be so bad that getting to the airport would already be hazardous for my health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojo Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 A good question posed by this post since considering the last 4 crashes in Thailand - Samui early 90's and today, Phuket a couple of years ago and Suratthani Xmas '98. Either Thai, Bangkok airways or One 2 Go and all in bad weather. Pretty poor record in such a short space of time. I'd still fly though! Regards Bojo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxout Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 "All flights suspended/diverted automatically upon signal No. 8 going up." This isn't true. The No. 8's up at this very moment, and it's Final Call on LX139 departing in 15 minutes for Zurich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benton Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm sure the pilot wants to stay alive just as much as I do. Unless in a previous job he was a local Isaan bus driver. Well there's respect for the deceased pilot for you.. Odds are he had a cardiac infarct at the controls..considering his age..he may have tried to avoid the tower too..why not wait until the results of the post mortem and air traffic investigators has been finished.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonthaburial Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 The comment about HK Airport closing on the number 8 signal is not correct, I lived in HK 20 years and did more than a few flights with typhoon signals raised. In my previous post I should have pointed out that I was booked on CI, who have lost two aircraft at HK due to bad weather, one a 747 at Kai Tak and the second a MD11 at the new airport. And yes SQ did lose an aircraft in Taipei during bad weather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phetaroi Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 After reading news of so many flights that have crashed in bad weather over the last 3-4 years, I personally might just walk away from a flight that was in the process of boarding during such weather. At least at that point you have a choice to save yourself. Unfortunately, when you're in the air and face the prospects of landing in turbulent weather, you don't have much of a choice (To stewardess: "Would you mind asking the pilot just to wait this one out, in a holding pattern?")If you were at a Thai airport (other than Swampy) and observed heavy winds and driving rain at the gate, would you abandon your flight--possibly losing the ability to get a refund on your ticket--but possibly saving your own life? For me, it would depend on the severity of the "bad" weather. Just raining or even basic thunderstorms...I would trust the airlines. I lived not that far from Dulles Airport west of Washington, and in the spring and summer it was not uncommon for flights to be grounded for short periods of time, particularly when a front would move through and there would be tornado watches or warnings. I was on another flight once when we flew into an alternate airport due to the weather. I agree with the poster who said that he had a degree of trust with the airline. They don't want to lose a plane full of passengers for several reasons, including the extremely negative publicity and the value of the plane in and of itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sibeymai Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) A good question posed by this post since considering the last 4 crashes in Thailand - Samui early 90's and today, Phuket a couple of years ago and Suratthani Xmas '98. Either Thai, Bangkok airways or One 2 Go and all in bad weather. Pretty poor record in such a short space of time.I'd still fly though! Regards Bojo I agree that there is something wrong in Thailand given the above. Other countries is SE Asia have similar weather patterns but haven't recorded a recent string of weather related crashes. The only conclusion one can draw after eliminating weather and aircraft as unique factors is the pilots. Why do pilots in Thailand not wait for better weather before landing or divert to the alternate ? In all these cases the pilots were not forced to land when they did. The accidents and resulting loss of lives were avoidable. I trust the pilots to make the correct decision regarding the weather, but if they don't it's an inherent risk of flying. Wouldn't stop me boarding a flight. Edited August 5, 2009 by sibeymai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnvic Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I'm sure the pilot wants to stay alive just as much as I do. It's not the pilot's wishes I worry about, it's his ability to judge what is safe, and what isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john b good Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) After reading news of so many flights that have crashed in bad weather over the last 3-4 years, I personally might just walk away from a flight that was in the process of boarding during such weather. At least at that point you have a choice to save yourself. Unfortunately, when you're in the air and face the prospects of landing in turbulent weather, you don't have much of a choice (To stewardess: "Would you mind asking the pilot just to wait this one out, in a holding pattern?")If you were at a Thai airport (other than Swampy) and observed heavy winds and driving rain at the gate, would you abandon your flight--possibly losing the ability to get a refund on your ticket--but possibly saving your own life? There is one thing getting an aircraft off the ground in dodgy conditions and trying to get it down in one piece in similar conditions. I was in one such plane that circled Don Muang for an hour until conditions were such that it could land safely. "Salient to note it was not a Thai flight" Another thing you might take into consideration is "I'm sure the pilot wants to stay alive just as much as I do" as someone has said. He might not want to die "but he doesn't want to lose his job either" You must also remember that Thai do not emply any foreign pilots and take into consideration that they (Thai pilots) will not want to lose face by either going around a few times or diverting to another airport. I keep coming back to TG 261 flight that put down at Surat Thani in December 1988 with the loss of 101 lives and 45 injured. The pilot had aborted two attempts to land and then had a third go which was in this case "3rd time unlucky" There was talk (published) at the time that the pilot was persuaded to land by some "hi-so" passenger. TIT No official investigation report has been released 10 and a half years later. The best reference point on air crashes is < http://www.planecrashinfo.com/ > run by Richard Kebabjian Surprisingly he doesn't yet have yesterday's crash at Sumui listed. Edited August 5, 2009 by john b good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britmaveric Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 What if the weather is fine where you start, but bad where you land? Certainly can't change your mind - bit pointless. You just have to trust the pilots know what they are doing or don't fly full stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiddlehead Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 "Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptuan Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) "Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams" "Don't let acting on a dream defy common sense." Edited August 5, 2009 by toptuan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toptuan Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) What if the weather is fine where you start, but bad where you land? Certainly can't change your mind - bit pointless. You just have to trust the pilots know what they are doing or don't fly full stop. That's what parachutes are for. Am I the only one who keeps one in my carry-on? Edited August 5, 2009 by toptuan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsun240Z Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 "Don't let your fears stand in the way of your dreams" "Don't let acting on a dream defy common sense." Common sense with dreams don't work . You have to take the betts ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britmaveric Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 What if the weather is fine where you start, but bad where you land? Certainly can't change your mind - bit pointless. You just have to trust the pilots know what they are doing or don't fly full stop. That's what parachutes are for. Am I the only one who keeps one in my carry-on? Cabin is pressurized - will be bit of a nightmare trying to open the door!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdnvic Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 What if the weather is fine where you start, but bad where you land? Certainly can't change your mind - bit pointless. You just have to trust the pilots know what they are doing or don't fly full stop. That's what parachutes are for. Am I the only one who keeps one in my carry-on? Cabin is pressurized - will be bit of a nightmare trying to open the door!! Just wait until it plummets far enough and the pressure equalizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felt 35 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I will walk away because…… Some years ago (It was a few years after the Suratthani crash) my wife and I was boarding a domestic late afternoon flight in Bangkok after hours delaying due to bad sight and hours with heavy rain. Even the bus from the gate to the aircraft turned around a couple of times before they finally found it safe enough to load up with passengers. Well up in the air we got! It was first 20 min before we should approach the destination the weather again got bad. Terrible turbulence and the aircraft seemed to move sideways, passengers where praying, one fell unconscious on the floor . Just before approach at the destination airport I come to look out the window and what I see was a roof of a house at the same time the pilot gave full throttle and up again we went. We finally made to land that evening., but some passengers had to get first aid at the terminal. We cancelled our return flight and took the bus back. We are still flying, but always ready to cancel plans on the spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Will never walk away. The ride to and from the airport is much more dangerous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartender100 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 "if you only travel on sunny days it will be a long journey" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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