The Airlines Are Melting Down

by CKR

Delta and American Airlines have been scrambling this past week to inspect electrical equipment on their MD-series planes. I have always worried about those planes, which invariably give a burst of electrical-smell as they take off. It has always cleared rapidly on flights I've been on, except for one long-ago TWA flight in which smoke added itself, and the captain decided to circle back and land in Albuquerque.

And before that, Southwest had to take a time out to inspect for fuselage cracks.

I'm wondering why the FAA all of a sudden woke up and remembered that it was responsible for safety inspections. They've probably been understaffed and oriented toward nonregulation, like all other government agencies during the Bush reign, so the surprising thing is that they're waking up.

Meanwhile, Heathrow is having a spot of trouble with luggage in their new terminal. Denver's airport had similar problems when it opened, so the Brits will probably figure this one out.

And the TSA is keeping us safe from nipple rings. This additional vigilance was undoubtedly prompted by the FAA's increased concerns for safety. Good to see our protectors at work. Now they need to tighten up on penis decorations.

Comments

[J.]

"Good to see our protectors at work. Now they need to tighten up on penis decorations."

Oh you did NOT go there. I hope the poor woman involved sues the pants off TSA - the morons.

[CKR]

Ah, J.! Evidently you haven't been informed of the dangers of penis decorations! Must be that the report I read was highly classified...aaarrrgh!

[James]

Some of the early model F-16s were lost because of chafing to their wiring, which is why the rule is so strict. But I don't think what they're reporting would cause a smell until the wire was actually exposed.

I suppose if the stewardesses are alarmed by the penis decorations the TSA will have to intervene. But I think it comes up less often than Penthouse Forum would have you believe.