London Gatwick - General Thread

[Aviador]

Good to see a safe end to this unfortunate event. It must have been frightening for the passengers on board to be told their aircraft was going to be making an emergency landing so soon after take off. It goes without saying it's better to be safe than sorry in these kind of situations so I am sure the captain did the right thing in returning.

 

[Tyler]

Good to see a safe end to this unfortunate event.

Couldn't agree more thank goodness no one was killed. "Smoke in the cabin" while you are airborne must be absolutely terrifying!

Strangely enough, there are reports coming out that suggest most of the injuries sustained where from when people were attempting to leave the aircraft http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-17741176 :s

Apparently a lot of injuries were caused by the evacuation slides and "people landing on top of each other" - I wonder if there are innovations out there which could improve evacuation safety? I mean, the evacuation slide has been the standard for about fifty years now. Just curious...

 

[Aviador]

Good point Tyler. The tests they do when certifying a new aircraft state passenger must leave the aircraft within a given time-scale. I don't believe there's any requirements with regards to injuries sustained by such methods. Perhaps there should be? All said, plane emergency with smoke in the cabin? I think a potential broken arm or whatever is a necessary evil and probably worth the risk when you think of the alternative.

 

[Jordan-34092]

I rather have a broken arm than 6ft under

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[tleeds]

I would too Concorde Lover, but it's still something that needs to be addressed at the very least!

I was more disturbed by the fact that passengers were receiving cuts, bruises, burns and scrapes from the actual slide itself, regardless of the amount of people on-board...

Surely it's something that needs to be sorted..

 

[Aviador]

This is nothing new. Sustaining minor injuries from evacuation slide has always happened. I know somebody who was on board a Tristar that overshot the runway at Leeds Bradford airport back in the 80's and he said a small number of the 400 passengers on board had sustained minor injuries such as broken arms and legs, cuts and bruises so it's really nothing new. Any sort of complicated changes to the evacuation slides could potentially put lives at risk if it delays the exit of the passengers.

 

[Jordan-34092]

Maybe they could change the material of the slides slightly or have some sort of protective coating.

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[Tyler]

Maybe they could change the material of the slides slightly or have some sort of protective coating.

[ Post made via Android ]

Like this. Nothing too dramatic and it wouldn't change the overall procedure. Alternatively, some inspiration could be taken from water parks. Obviously not a torrent of water, but maybe a light oil or something? How about throwing a crash mat or something soft at the bottom?

I agree with Concord Lover I would rather sustain a broken arm than be dead, but I'm sure some would prefer not to sustain that injury from their procedural means of escape! To be honest though, I'm just playing :diablo:'s advocate. I can't see an account of a passenger complaining about the evacuation procedure.

 

[Aviador]

The emergency landing by the Virgin Atlantic Airlines A330 last week was caused by a faulty alarm the airline has said. Why the reports of smoke then, must have been a bunch of drama queens.

 

[Jordan-34092]

More like the newspapers just saying that to get people to buy there copy.

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[Tyler]

The emergency landing by the Virgin Atlantic Airlines A330 last week was caused by a faulty alarm the airline has said. Why the reports of smoke then, must have been a bunch of drama queens.

So there couldn't have been any smoke? Why would people make up something like that?! I wonder if the panicking cabin crew was made up as well. All pails in significance when compared to the severe loss of life in Pakistan at the weekend.

 

[Aviador]

The emergency landing by the Virgin Atlantic Airlines A330 last week was caused by a faulty alarm the airline has said. Why the reports of smoke then, must have been a bunch of drama queens.

So there couldn't have been any smoke? Why would people make up something like that?! I wonder if the panicking cabin crew was made up as well. All pails in significance when compared to the severe loss of life in Pakistan at the weekend.

Perhaps much of it was made up by the press. Drama sells papers. :dunno:

 

[User0001]

Perhaps much of it was made up by the press. Drama sells papers

And the passengers.

Like the passengers who said the crew were 'battling the blaze with fire extinguishers'.

Or the one who 'knew the plane was in trouble because it wobbled on take off'.

 

[Jordan-34092]

God knows how a plane can wobble while its on the ground!

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[Tyler]

God knows how a plane can wobble while its on the ground!

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My God, was there an earthquake as well?

 

[Tyler]

I'll award big points to those who can up with an appropriate movie title

 

[Jordan-34092]

God knows how a plane can wobble while its on the ground!

[ Post made via Android ]

My God, was there an earthquake as well?

Could have been, might have been a tremor no one felt.

I'll award big points to those who can up with an appropriate movie title

Seconds from diaster: the flaming virgin

 

[Jordan-34092]

For those who are interested, Emirates is to operate an A380 into the airport on 6th July 2012 as a one off flight. The flights will be EK0015 & EK0016, both to/from dubai.

 

[Aviador]

Thanks Concorde Lover, Is this to mark the airport being able to accept the A380. I know London Gatwick was some way behind Manchester airport in being able to take the aircraft.

 

[User0001]

Is this to mark the airport being able to accept the A380

The airport can still only handle the A380 remotely, and the Terminal stands will not be ready until at least 2013. Plus, testing is not exactly required, given a Singapore A380 has already used LGW for a divert, and the fact MAN had no testing prior to its A380 services.

Therefore, I am unsure as to why this visit has been scheduled?