Re: On TV
I thought the series was well worth a watch, whether for aviation aficionados or the general public, although industry professionals might have found it rather basic in its content. But then no doubt do, say, police officers or medical staff when police and medical documentary-type programmes are broadcast.
Perhaps I am over-critical but I thought the last of the four programmes was the least interesting, in that there was less live action and more recorded inserts where the presenters tried their hands at aviation-related tasks - a bit Blue Peterish (is that show still going?), or at least how Blue Peter was when I sometimes watched with my young children who are now in their 40s.
I thought the ATC instructor and the senior BA captain, who both featured thoughout the series, were excellent and both adopted the right tone for a lay audience that included some who might want a bit more of the technical stuff but not too much so as to be overwhelmed.
After the final episode on Thursday evening there was an hour-long programme on the same channel (BBC2) tracing the history of Ryanair and easyJet, and looking at the history of low-cost airlines from the days of the originator, Southwest Airlines in the USA.
Michael O'Leary inevitably featured prominently and, like him or not, I think he's always good value and it cannot be argued that he hasn't worked wonders for his airline company.
I thought the programme itself lacked some focus and highlighted certain events and philosophies along the way rather than trying for a comprehensive history. Then again, it had to entertain as well as inform so a one-off programme as opposed to a series was always going to be a challenge.
Despite these misgivings I can recommend it to those who have yet to see it.
