Plan B Forum

". . . and in addition to asking for thoughts and prayers, President Trump wishes to point out that it could have been worse. In this case, the passengers and crew were criminal aliens attempting to enter the USA illegally and the military personnel lost were all gay. So, swings and roundabouts, as VP Vance quipped this morning"

Where was rapey drunk Pete Hegseth when one of his helicopters downed a civilian commercial flight? Why is the Trump Administration murdering Americans at Reagan National?

FWIW, Washington National (I have never heard it called Reagan except by news and when landing (kind of like Newark Liberty Airport)) is one that should be closed. Given all the air traffic in the air, it has had many near misses), but the Congress members want a local airport for them to fly into and out of, so it will never be closed. I'd love to blame Trump for this, but it's just bad planning over the last few decades.

Big RR wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 30, 2025 4:06 pm

FWIW, Washington National (I have never heard it called Reagan except by news and when landing (kind of like Newark Liberty Airport)) is one that should be closed. Given all the air traffic in the air, it has had many near misses), but the Congress members want a local airport for them to fly into and out of, so it will never be closed. I'd love to blame Trump for this, but it's just bad planning over the last few decades.

This is the issue, yes. When I lived there almost 30 years ago it was a congested airspace, it's only grown exponentially since and the flight paths were restricted after 9/11 so it is even more congested.

The flight that was struck is a new flight that the Kansas Senator lobbied for very recently and has only been operating a year. They all want direct flights to Washington National to save them the extra 20-30 minutes getting into DC from Dulles. These people died for the convenience of Congresspeople.

They should close National and expand Dulles and work on improving the transportation options from Dulles to DC.

I used to go into Crystal City and Alexandria a lot and flew on the shuttles into National because of the easy Metro connections, but over the years delays made this worse and worse. I can recall circling for the better part of an hour, or sitting on the tarmac awaiting takeoff (in the sun with the air off), and eventually opted for the train when airport security slowed checkin even more (making train travel pretty competitive timewise). Sure, not everyone can use the train, but better rail and metro connections to Dulles (and perhaps BWI) could make air travel to DC convenient). But don't count on it.

Big RR wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 30, 2025 4:06 pm

I'd love to blame Trump for this, but it's just bad planning over the last few decades.

Why not blame Trump? Isn't he "in charge"? Trump had Elon Musk bully the FAA Administrator into resigning 10 days ago and he appointed an unfit and unqualified Fox News clown as Secretary of Defense. That's hell of a lot more connection to this crash than Trump blaming "DEI" without a shred of a semblance of a thought. It's way past time to push back on his absolute bullshit. Every time he blames "woke" or "communists" or whatever, the press should ask, "Aren't you responsible for making government work? Isn't this is a failure of your leadership? Isn't it your fault that you haven't made America great again?"

The DEI policies in place at FAA have been there since Trump's first term. So, either way you look at it, the whole thing is Trump's fault.

Sue U wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 30, 2025 8:37 pm

"Aren't you responsible for making government work? Isn't this is a failure of your leadership? Isn't it your fault that you haven't made America great again?"

Isn't Trump the ultimate DEI hire? He represents a minority (stupid billionaires), speaks on behalf of mentally impaired racists and includes people in his administration that are totally unqualified for the job.

How much more DEI can you get?

Just when you think he can go no lower he proves us wrong. Man is a piece of shit.

And yes, Washington National has always been a lousy airport. Skimming down the Potomac I used to look for my friend in his office on the 12th floor, IIRC, by the river. I used to visit DC often because I had federal and contractor clients there - after a while I stopped using National and started using BWI. Often flights were about 1/2 the price and my clients were mostly on the northern side of the Beltway.

Sadly, I wrote this 'satire' yesterday afternoon (South Africa time, so around 9 a.m. USA) and had no idea that he'd blame DEI etc. As a prophet, I'm at a loss.

CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/pl ... mac-river/) reported that Sean Duffy, Trump's pick to lead the Dept of Transportation, had been sworn in by VP Vance on Wednesday.

Late Thursday night, Duffy said in a post on X that, "This is not what I expected my first day on the job to be, but I do believe that God puts us exactly where we're supposed to be.

OK. While we are on the subject of God and putting people where they are supposed to be, can we get something on why he managed to put that helicopter and the CRJ in the same place at the same time? Was he distracted or forgetful or confused or was he working in mysterious ways at the time? Maybe he is not fond of ice skaters. I get that - but it does seem harsh.

"OK. While we are on the subject of God and putting people where they are supposed to be, can we get something on why he managed to put that helicopter and the CRJ in the same place at the same time? Was he distracted or forgetful or confused or was he working in mysterious ways at the time? Maybe he is not fond of ice skaters. I get that - but it does seem harsh."

Harsh? Ever talked to your insurance expert about just what is covered in the phrase 'act of God"? Ever heard some trying to comfort a grieving friend and tell them -- 'It's all for the better, it is all part of God's plan." Google Westburo Baptist Church for a clear description of that theology.

(Personally, I think that idea of fate or predistintion or 'it is all only by the will of G-d'' a violation of Jewish understanding of the universe. You do remember that Jesus, that itinerant preacher and former carpenter from Galilee was a Jew?)

snailgate.

I agree, BP; as god is supernatural (or presumed not to be bound by the laws of this universe), I guess we could posit some sort of predestination/determinism that is beyond our understanding, but to what end? Do people find it comforting to believe that everything is predestined acoording to some sort of plan? I don't understand it.

Accepting a stochastic universe makes a lot more sense IMHO. Shit happens, and go no more wanted these people to die than he wnats kids to doe of cancer. We build our own parameters and need to live with the consequences.

ex-khobar Andy wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 31, 2025 11:52 am

CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/pl ... mac-river/) reported that Sean Duffy, Trump's pick to lead the Dept of Transportation, had been sworn in by VP Vance on Wednesday.

Late Thursday night, Duffy said in a post on X that, "This is not what I expected my first day on the job to be, but I do believe that God puts us exactly where we're supposed to be.

OK. While we are on the subject of God and putting people where they are supposed to be, can we get something on why he managed to put that helicopter and the CRJ in the same place at the same time? Was he distracted or forgetful or confused or was he working in mysterious ways at the time? Maybe he is not fond of ice skaters. I get that - but it does seem harsh.

You're talking about a dude who slept through the Holocaust. How can we have any expectations of him? He's the ultimate loser boyfriend/husband/dad.

January 20: FAA director fired
January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years

Coincidence?   No, just Making America Great Again™!

-"BB"-