> Stealth Pilot wrote:

>> On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:08:51 +1000, "John Ewing" wrote:
>>

>>> "GB" kickindanuts.threefiddy.com> wrote in message
>>> news:009bb099$0$17918$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...

>>>> "RMK" bigpond.com> wrote in
>>>> news:488b1fe1$0$1027$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au:

>>>>> There have been a few 'professionals' amongst the posters here
>>>>> in the past! But unfortunately, despite their best efforts
>>>>> to provide accurate and up-to-date information to those interested,
>>>>> they were often howled down by the wannabes and so called
>>>>> 'guardians' of the newsgroup!

>>>> I'm uncomfortable with the idea of allowing a statement so
>>>> inaccurate as this to enter the annals unchallenged. While it
>>>> is correct to say that shouting matches break out amongst the
>>>> proletariat from time to time, it is an error to claim that
>>>> this is the reason for the departure of a number of specific
>>>> contributors.
>>>>
>>>> Some properly retired, some were drawn away by the increasing
>>>> demands of promotion to Captaincy on new aircraft types, and
>>>> many are still here, participating regularly.
>>>>
>>>> A personal discomfort with the ways of usenet should not, in
>>>> my view, be ascribed to all and sundry without some direct
>>>> evidence that said ascription is appropriate.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> GB

>>> My thoughts also GB. I enjoyed JB's contributions but I suspect his
>>> leaving this group was not due to sinister elements, but rather because
>>> of his other commitments.
>>>
>>> He did on occasions become a target from trolls - only because of his
>>> undeniably extensive experience and knowledge.
>>>
>>> I am sure we would all welcome - even if it is a once only
>>> contribution - a personal account of the incident.
>>>
>>> Failing that I guess there's still the possibility of a 60 Minutes
>>> interview, a film or a Air Disaster episode! :)
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> John

>>
>> I always thought he was close to or at retirement age. the bugger is a
>> year younger than me.
>>
>> I love the hysteria around the incident.
>>
>> the reality is that a depressurisation warning popped off in the
>> cockpit so they went into action with a standard response, then
>> diverted to the nearest suitable runway.
>>
>> the pax were scared shitless but the pilots didnt know any of this.
>>
>> it was only later that the pilots were aware of the majority of the
>> details.
>>
>> I suppose he should just do the "discretion is the better part of
>> valour" bit and say nothing while enjoying the publicity ride.
>>
>> I'm betting that the smiles you see in the photo are from the bonk of
>> his life on getting home. we can all see it as the man's confident
>> expertise shining through though :-)
>>
>> good grief. you'd thing aviation was magic.
>>
>> Stealth Pilot
>>
>>

> Yeah, just a pressurization warning after a bloody great bang.
> Someone else reckons a few other things happened:
>
> "You might not recall that my husband was ex-RAN A4. He now flies 747-400.
> He had the explosive decompression yesterday.
>
> Fun day!
>
> I can give your readers some facts that are solid:
>
> No engines were shut down.
> Aeroplane