That Was The Week That Was 21-25 March 2022
A dip into the TWTWTW mailbag
You and I seem to have a very strange relationship… Despite there being a box at the bottom of the blog that allows you to comment on my meandering musings, seldom is that opportunity taken. Instead, you reply via email, or via LinkedIn. All roads lead to Rome, or to in-box in any event, so it does not matter and let me assure you that I love the feedback – even the angry and the more-in-sorrow-than-anger notes.
That said, most weeks, the feedback is not overwhelming, and, remarkably, even supportive. But a few recent entries have garnered more than the usual responses, so rather than you think that I am ignoring you, let me respond. However, noting the non-use of the very visible comment box, I will respect your modesty.
The most commented on piece recently was the one that talked about BigJetTV and the fun they were having watching aircraft land in a very major storm. Those comments came in three flavours. Those that noted with disappointment how very wrong I was not to talk about the ways in which management have let airlines and airports, and airline and airport operations in particular, run down their resilience. It is a good point, of course, because these are exactly the moments resilience is called for and when we can see how lacking it is. To the extent that counts as a swing at airline and airport management, consider it swung.
The second group thought that I was making light of safety. I would disagree with that, indeed, au contraire, I was noting that the safe thing to do might have been to divert. However, my jestful suggestion that if we wish to take this route, we should go all the way and only pay for safe landings landed me in a very unsafe place, that of suggesting that we change controller and pilot pay scales. Oh dear. First, it was a joke, and secondly, we pay pilots (and controllers) so much more than bus drivers is a tribute not to the difficulty of their jobs, or the responsibility, but their comparative industrial muscle. Nothing more.
Leading me to the third group of comments, and these were my very favourite comments, that somehow, deep down, I was envious. That really, deep down, I wanted to be a pilot. You will no doubt be shocked, shocked to learn that these observations came from, go on, guess, why yes, from pilots! For the record, I have never wanted to be a pilot. Ever. The two things I really, deep down, and frankly not all that deep down, that I have wanted to be are: 1, an Australian Rules football commentator, and 2, funny.
The second more-than-usual response entry was about the impact on the aviation industry of the nationalisation of Russia’s leased aircraft fleet. Some, rightly, pointed out that rather than fashion spare parts from hubcaps, chicken wire and chewing gum, at least in the short term, half of the fleet is likely to be cannibalised to provide parts as needed. Fair point, but that does not mean the total loss my numbers predicted, of about $17 billion will be halved, because I do not think that the lessors will accept the aircraft back even then, rather taking the hull loss as the safer option. Does anyone really think that the tiny aviation insurance market could absorb $17 billion in a single event?
That this has not been picked up in the mainstream of conversation is a tribute perhaps to how few of you are my reader, so let me say that I am grateful for each of you, and for your feedback at all times.
Keep those cards and letters coming in.