General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHoly crap. Crazy turbulence diverts American Airlines flight 280 to Japan
A friend of mine was on the flight, said that people hit the ceiling and every piece of glass out was shattered.
http://www.weather.com/news/news/american-airlines-flight-280-turbulence-diverted-tokyo
(This is from the "smaller" turbulence they hit later -- also, not my friend's video, but some dude in business class with more arm and bowel control than I would have in that situation.)
When the flight crew says "fasten your seatbelt"...
Suich
(10,642 posts)I can't imagine how frightening that was for the passengers.
Hope your friend is ok.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Apparently the plane's wings were so shredded it's going to be scrapped.
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)If I was on that flight, I'd take a boat back.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)I've always wanted a trans-pacific cruise, and this would be just the opportunity.
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)I have to summon every ounce of courage I have to get on a plane .... had this happened .... NEVER again!
(irrational fear SUCKS)
closeupready
(29,503 posts)I almost never travel anymore. Had quite a few scary flights, but nothing this bad.
Behind the Aegis
(53,823 posts)It is true. But, damn if it doesn't scare the shit out of me! I would have had to replace my pants...and that's the 'smaller' turbulence?!
KUDOS to the pilots!!!
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)seems like the craziest idea anyone had short of manned space flight.
This boat looks like a safer craft than this plane:
Happy Hanukkah!
Recursion
(56,582 posts)"You strap yourselves to an explosive?"
"As crazy as it sounds, it's the best idea we've come up with yet."
MADem
(135,425 posts)...and that wasn't even the worst of it...? Wow.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)My friend has some pics on FB of the wine and chicken on the ceiling of the plane...
MADem
(135,425 posts)Response to MADem (Reply #13)
Pacifist Patriot This message was self-deleted by its author.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)"And at this time we ask that all passengers please ensure their wine is belted..."
MADem
(135,425 posts)a la izquierda
(11,784 posts)But nothing like that.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)A classmate who flies for United gave me that advice almost 30 years ago, telling me that it's what he himself does when he's a passenger.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)He always keeps his belt fastened while seated, and he got me in that habit.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)Messy.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)DawgHouse
(4,019 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)name not needed
(11,660 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)How embarrassing, huh?
Pacifist Patriot
(24,647 posts)I'd be crying and probably wet my pants if that was the "smaller" turbulence. Just a few seconds of watching this video threatened to bring on an anxiety attack.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)--when all the flight attendants have to stay buckled up the whole time and no drinks are served---bad sign.
djean111
(14,255 posts)I never once slept on the plane. Never really relaxed. Luckily, the only scary thing that ever happened was when both left tires blew out when taxiing to leave Narita. The blessing there was that the tires were probably stressed from making an unscheduled stop in Portland on the way to Japan, earlier in the day, and the full load of jet fuel was not a good thing to land with. According to some engineers I was sitting with, the tires could have blown when we landed in Atlanta, and that would likely have been really really bad.
Never got much turbulence on that flight, but I understand it can just come out of nowhere sometimes. I drank a lot of wine, though, just in case.
phantom power
(25,966 posts)darkangel218
(13,985 posts)We were over Nova Scotia ( no idea why they go so far north).and we encountered a horrible turbulence which lasted at least 30-40 mins . We thought the plane is going to come apart. I was freaking out, but the passenger next to me was as calm as a clam. I asked him how come he wasn't scared, we might not make it, and he said: "meh, Shit happens." Lmao!!
I'm glad everyone made it back safely on this flight. I hate flying!!!
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)global air routes.
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)We did take the "cross the ocean route".
It seems that all flights from Germany to US diagonally cross, with a few exceptions.
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)I'm petrified. I used to have 0 problems with flying, until 9-11. After that I developed flying phobia. I can't control it. I have to take meds when I fly, otherwise I will not fly anywhere.
Its not even a real fear, it's a phobia I can't control.
It does suck .
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Richard D
(8,692 posts). . . planes fly what is called "Great Circle Routes" - which basically means that the shortest distance between two points on a round surface is not a straight line.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Then the dude starts praying?
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)On Wed Dec 17, 2014, 02:06 PM an alert was sent on the following post:
okay, so I made it 46 seconds in and already had a REALLY strong urge to say STFU!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5971566
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
Insensitive comment, laughing at what could''ve been a tragedy. Not to mention he's attacking spirituality ( in this case "praying" again. This poster's intolerance and nastiness is disgusting.
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Wed Dec 17, 2014, 02:16 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: While I agree that this post does disrespect spirituality in the face of possible tragedy, hiding it would be a disproportionate measure. Tough call on this one.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Person is being a jerk, but I wouldn't hide the post.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Oh good golly, get a grip on yourself.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Alerter, not even close to being alert worthy. Really.
Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.
treestar
(82,383 posts)It seems, as they usually go to a different altitude to avoid it.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,271 posts)They use on board radar to divert around larger storms that can cause heavy convective activity.
But sometimes it can pop up as they fly through/over what appears to be less threatening.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Not sure why, but I've known lots of world travelers who say that it's always the worst.
Keep in mind that of all the reasons planes crash, turbulence is the rarest reason of all reasons. Not that this makes it easier to stomach the bumps.
dissentient
(861 posts)I'm sure it was nothing like that though, but it was bad enough that, along with another incident where I was in a plane and I am very certain they screwed up royally in terms of traffic control, but it was never reported, I don't want to get into it but it was way too close for comfort, suffice it to say I haven't flown for many years now.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)Let's just say that the amount of drugs I had to take to get on the plane sent to pick us up was substantial.
countryjake
(8,554 posts)if I had been on that flight! I'm more scared of boats over deep water than I am of flying, but that video makes me very glad I'm not traveling any distance any time soon.
Your friend was very brave to actually board another plane. Holy crap doesn't even cover that sort of fear.
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)If you had to go be reunited with your loved ones, or had to travel back HOME, trust me, you will be flying.
Terrified or not.
countryjake
(8,554 posts)so even driving that far is an obstacle I rarely attempt to conquer anymore.
I once almost decided to settle high up in the Bighorn Mountains, as I was moving away from my family years ago, and foolishly chose to take a shortcut thru that rugged terrain to get to Yellowstone National Park.
Two-lane highway, no guardrails, simply incredible heights...my brakes were smoking and as I pulled over to cool off and steel myself for the rest of that descent, I turned and actually asked my toddler if she'd like to live up there. I think that was probably the most terrifying traveling experience I've ever had. Beautiful mountain range, tho!
Flying I can handle as long as I have a seat next to a window, nose pressed against it most of the trip. Amazing vistas are a passion of mine.
uppityperson
(115,674 posts)countryjake
(8,554 posts)countryjake
(8,554 posts)I think it's the same as yours was: