Hideous Helen has another aviation incident!

[ManDownUnder]

people who jump out of planes don't have any problem..

So there's the answer - she should have been pushed out of the plane!

MDU

[Lou Girardin]

What fun would that be ?



That's how she hurt her arm didn't she ? See, she knew there was no danger, so she wrenched the door open (and her arm) knowing it would be good publicity (diversion) and get a bit of sympathy.

She should give Sete lessons...

Sete did it first.

[Deano]

Sete did it first.

Yeah, but he went over the top by crying about it didn't he. Poor diddums...

[Pixie]

Pixie.... Where the hell is Kanohi??

5 km north of kaukapakapa (KKK)

[Lou Girardin]

5 km north of kaukapakapa (KKK)

Where men are men and sheep are nervous.

[ManDownUnder]

Where men are men and sheep are nervous.

a baa-aa-aa-aad place to be...

[Maximus]

The whole incident stinks of rampant labour-spin to create sympathy for Helen and deflect the attention away from the shocking handling of the Tamihere affair, if you ask me.

I was listening to the Rock yesterday arvo, and the DJ's were saying the same thing!! Definately sounds like a conspiracy to me, especially since she wasnt exactly in "real" danger!!

[R6_kid:Me]

you want something interesting...

the piper aztec actually has a checklist of what to do in this situation in the flight manual.... makes you wonder why they dont fix the problem to stop it happening.

turns out that some seal or sumthin got stuck in the way of the lock so the door couldnt shut properly, but as said already it doesnt make a difference, no one was in danger.

what i want to know is why she was using a civilian piper aztec when the air force has 5 Beech B200 Super Kingairs kitted out with VIP interiors for training and hauling her arse around. Im sure they arent all getting used at the same time.

[Waylander]

Can I have your job Gareth??

[Jantar]

Think about it before you crucify Helen yet again. How would you have handled the situation? What grounds do you have for assuming she manipulated the publicity any more than would be reasonable for any politician in the circumstances? What exactly would you have expected her to do?
Next thing you'll be suggesting she arranged for the door to open...

How would I have handled the situation? As a pilot I would have slowed the aircraft down to VMA as there was obviously some turbulence, then continued to fly to my destination. I would have briefed the passengers that an unlocked door is not a problem as far as the flight characteristics of the aircraft are concerned, but please keep your seat belts fastened at all times and please minimise any loose articles (eg paper) in the cabin.

As a passenger I would ensure my seatbelt was secure. If sitting close to the door, I would hold it closed (as the DPS officers did) simply to minimise any noise.

She didn't manipulate the situation any more than any other politician would have, but she made much more of the evnt than any other rational person would have.

What would I have expected her to do? As a supposed leader, I would have expected her to lead. ie To find out if there was any actual danger before making out that she had faced a potental life or death situation.

But then again she is a politician, and as such cannot be trusted. (Not a PT)

[MikeL]

How would I have handled the situation? (...) As a passenger I would ensure my seatbelt was secure. If sitting close to the door, I would hold it closed (as the DPS officers did) simply to minimise any noise.

... all the while continuing to read my in-flight magazine and sip my coffee, making sure not to raise an eyebrow to show my insecurity or let on that I might not realize that this is a perfectly routine and indeed yawn-inducing event...

As a pilot (if indeed you are) you have no right to assume that passengers share your experience and confidence. The fact that you know that there is no danger does not make it less frightening for them.

So Helen made much more of this than any other rational person would? Care to offer evidence for this stupefying assertion? Suppose the VIP had not been the PM but a television personality, or a sports hero - someone you actually admire and like, and had done exactly what Helen did - would your reaction have been the same?

All you have done is reveal your own prejudices.

[Lou Girardin]

So you wouldn't have asked her if she wanted a look outside?

[sels1]

I work by Paraparaumu Airport and every damn siren in town was going off that morning - police, fire, ambulance, EMS team - thought WW3 had started!
And yes, I think she has milked it a little.....

[dangerous]

Gezzz.... I dont know what all the bloody fuss is about, the last plane I flew....... dident even have doors

[Jantar]

...As a pilot (if indeed you are) you have no right to assume that passengers share your experience and confidence. The fact that you know that there is no danger does not make it less frightening for them.

All you have done is reveal your own prejudices.

Ho- Hum. Yes, I am a pilot. "B" cat instructor in fact. I have had doors come adrift in flight, and with a full load of passengrers on board.

It is no big deal to quietly and calmly brief the passengers then continue flying in a NORMAL manner. If the pilot shows no no sigh of distress then the passengers generally also feel quite calm.

I do not feel that I have shown any prejudice over thios matter. Helen has milked the situation for far more than it was ever worth.