Global321

I know I have been on the 'other side' on many things on this thread, but, why even engage this?

OP was asked to back the statement up... no response. Seems it was just a baiting statement, as you guys have been very passionate in your beliefs about this issue overall. FWIW - I would not waste my time trying to engage OP, unless he backs it up with something.

KARFA

Because it matters when you post negative comments on the professional competency of crew based on absolutely no evidence.

fartoomanyusers

It was taken through lounge window (rather than aircraft) so just a single pane of glass.

What discolouration are you looking at ?

I think there's some sort of clear plastic from the "S" of British Airways rearwards.

rapidex

Boeing sent a team to Taipei to supervise the repairs.

rapidex

The family and friends of the passengers and crew who perished when the aircraft broke up.Some were late colleagues of mine.

philthegreek

Posting on Travelmole for 29 December

In an interview for Radio 4, the Captain seems to say that the cockpit had no knowledge of the extent of the problem until the co-pilot went back to look. He also makes an interesting observation about the fact that many passengers stopped for their hand luggage. He suggests lockable luggage containers.

Sorry I can't get the link to work.

zeltergiset

Interesting. Here is the link: http://www.travelmole.com/news_featu...etreg&region=2

KARFA

I suspect all they knew in terms of indication in the cockpit is that there is an engine fire. Unless other systems have been disrupted such as hydraulic lines etc. then I don't think there are any additional warnings in a 777.

However, the response wouldn't have been any different anyway - isolate the engine and use the engine extinguishers, and then evacuate the aircraft - all of which happened promptly based on the videos/ATC online.

simons1

Sorry to hear that. However what you stated is misleading, as the aircraft was not repaired in line with Boeing standards which directly led to the crash.

I believe the accident also highlighted unresolved safety issues with the aircraft concerned dating back 5 years and incomplete/missing maintenance records.

Many deaths that were totally avoidable had Boeing guidelines been followed.

Richmond_Surrey

Locked luggage containers won't stop people taking their bags which are kept under the seats. Personally, I'm not sure if I wouldn't try to take my camera backpack with me if I was evacuating. It's probably wise to keep wallet and id in a pocket during take off and landing, just in case.

Global321

"The pilot who criticised passengers when they stopped to grab luggage as they escaped from a burning plane has called for 'lockable lockers' to be installed."

That is such a bad idea I am surprised an experienced pilot suggest it.

A small fire starts in the overhead during taxi... SOP captain locks lockers and says evacuate... fire spreads... total loss.

Small fire starts in flight in the overheads, short in the locking system locks the overheads... yikes.

Calchas

Nor will it stop people from struggling to open the lockers in their confusion

vibrex

That's obviously his opinion, which he is entitled to. With fire being a rare occurrence I can't see it happening myself.

Fires tend not to start in the overheads, more likely galley, toilet, cargo hold or avionics bays. In the unlikely event a fire should start in the overheads you would attempt to put it out with an extinguisher.

Any locking design would have to have a fail open system rather than a fail closed.

Global321

While rare, fires start in the overhead bins.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...m-Bangkok.html

Sure - the system can be designed to unlock as a default, but locking systems - like all systems - malfunction. Ahd how about the system that trips and locks everyone out on landing. How many irate customers is that worth versus something as rare as an evacuation?

vibrex

I'm not saying they can't start in the overheads. So you found one event in how many years and total worldwide flying hours? I suggest we would have to classify the probability of this occurring as Remote or Extremely Remote. I'm sure the matter was dealt with under Airline SOP.

I was really trying to figure why you suggested that an overhead bin fire would warrant locking the bins? There would be no reason to change anything for this type of event. IMO if you are going to have a fire the overhead is probably the best place you could have it, as it would be totally enclosed by fire retardant material.

I'm not going to get drawn into too much discussion on locks themselves as that is not my specialist subject. Suffice to say, that in the unlikely event that this is introduced, the system will be well designed and tested with , likely, an electrical powered to lock and when switched off or loss of power mechanically opened. In my experience well designed aircraft failsafes tend to work as advertised.