dera

Re. Stealing stuff from luggage, London is the only place where I have has items stolen from my checked luggage.
And even though people have images of an impending blazing inferno due to a fuel leak, jet fuel is really difficult to ignite in solid liquid form. It is more volatile when it is in the form of very small droplets or is vaporized. When its pouring out like from a broken water pipe then it is also almost just as dangerous.

Speculation: for some reason crew did not see the sign where B turns left and B turns into M. They kept going thinking they are still on B. Crash. Quick assessment, checklist for ground collision, normal SOP drills, based on the assessment no evacuation required. A few expletives, and a few beers in the hotel bar. There will be an investigation, there will be primary and secondary causes with correlating factors, and nobody will lose their jobs.

hsmall

I would have exploded (no pun intended) at the prohibition on the use of electronic items. First, I would have wanted to text my husband to say I was OK. Secondly, I see no reason whatsoever why people should be required to assist in supporting BA's attempt to manage the media such circumstances.

I am sure plenty of surreptitious photos will emerge once the takers are safely out of South Africa.

BOH

Didn't realise that, never even knew the spare engine transport was an option on 744s.

An RB211 is not particularly big nowadays as cargo so they would surely come back by freighter.

pteron

When I did my PPL, we had volunteer fire crew at our aerodrome. I signed up. The training course was eye opening - you can drop a lit match onto Jet A1 and it will simply go out.

Passmethesickbag

I think it's fair, however, to acknowledge that South Africa is notorious for thefts from checked luggage. SAA even has a column in the inflight magazine where they, with refreshing and rather touching honesty, describe their continuing efforts against "baggage pilfering".

Passmethesickbag

Fortunately, we know from another thread that passengers who report having been threatened for taking photos onboard are almost certainly lying because it just doesn't happen .

Dames

I must say, as a South African reading through this thread, I find the extremely ignorant comments regarding JHB and SA in general a bit ridiculous.

But nevermind that - I really feel for all the people who now need to sort out all the logistical nightmares this incident will undoubtedly have caused them.

Northernskyuk

Interesting, I thought only QF had that on the -400.

Passmethesickbag

How true - I remember Evita Bezuidenhout at a show in London informing people that it simply isn't true that you get shot as soon as you get out of the plane - you get shot when you get out of the taxi!

dera

True. I was just trying to point out that it happens everywhere.

Dames

Well, the reality of that statement is that the majority of crime in this country happens in the poor communities. Taxi transport is very much a part of the life of the poor in this country. However, if you are worried about evacuating an aircraft because it's "unsafe" in Johannesburg, then I think you're being only slightly ridiculous :P

dera

Saying you shouldn't be wary about moving around Joburg is just as ignorant. Or are you saying its fine to get off the Gautrain at Marlboro and wander around is safe?

Or what part of this discussion is ignorant?

Dames

+1 This.

ExpatExp

At USD$25k per year, we certainly weren't overpaid. Nobody works for an NGO to fly in premium cabins or to lead a plush lifestyle.

I'd be surprised if many (any?) large international nonprofits took this approach. While you do indeed want to attract the best people, not in a million years would you spend a single donor dollar to fly them in J.

If only. The standard approach is that you fly overnight in Y and then put in a day's work. You wouldn't be working for a charity if you had a problem with that.

dera

Exactly. Like I said earlier, you can smoke a cigar next to a puddle and you would be perfectly safe. People saying how a fuel leak is an inferno about to explode have never handled JetA1.