Talking to the Media

Flywest · Post by **Flywest** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:17 pm

I just watched The National's coverage of todays events in YYZ. I would like to take this opportunity to send out my own personal Fu*k-You to the Pilot in Montreal who took it upon himself to dress up in a cheap suit and run to the CBC in order to drop huge speculation at the feet of the AF crew on national TV.

It wouldn't be appropriate to name names but anyone who watched the broadcast will know which jackass I'm refering to.

I am well aware that he may very well be correct about what happened, and that we have all more than likely quietly formed indeas in our heads about what went wrong. My point is that it's beyond uprofessional to go out six hours after an accident and intentionally damn your colleagues on live TV.

The worst part is he had poor Peter Mansbridge refering to him as "Captain"

Sorry for the rant but, there's already enough pricks in this industry we don't need this dude.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:29 pm

No comment...
That’s what should have been said by any pilot asked what could have happened. Sure we all have our ideas as to what might have transpired, it's our nature to question and learn from others mistakes. But to go on national television and spout off at the mouth.... we weren't in that cockpit and therefore have no right to voice our opinions.

Cheers.

scubasteve · Post by **scubasteve** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:25 pm

I agree with both of you but it is normal for the news channels to have "experts" in different areas that they go to for background and general knowledge. They use doctors and lawyers, politicians etc to explain stories from the point of view of people involved or just to educate the public. I'm not saying its right but it is fairly normal. I also find it odd that they didnt say which airline this fellow worked for.

At the same time that a "no comment" might have been appropriate, we have to remember that for some of us (not me yet), flying is a career and how we put food on the table. If the public feels its unsafe to fly or have concerns then it is important to help them understand what causes accidents and to teach them that driving to the airport is more hazardous than flying. We've already seen what can happen to our industry when the travelling public stays away ie. 911 The right thing to do would not be to speculate as to the cause of the accident but the public wont pay attention in 2 years when the investigation is complete. Its a toughie but the well being of the people on board should always be first.

Machiavelli · Post by **Machiavelli** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:41 pm

I'm with Fly West: F-CK YOU to the Pilot in Montreal.

News is supposed to be about facts. Unbiased, black and white unopinionated, unaltered facts. No speculation, no sensationalism, no bullshit. I picked a hell of a week to stop sniffing glue to think that'll ever be the case, but modern day news is such trash. It's high time for a change.

C-FOXY · Post by **C-FOXY** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:35 am

CBC also had some real winners on as the whole story was unfolding. It just boils my blood how retarded the media is in just grasping for any fragment of relevance no matter how little or obscure it is.

In aviation they never seem to pick knowledgeable sources(like someone who was directly involved) but would rather pick a guy who works for WINGS magazine and another guy who works for the Canadain Air Transportation Association......I wonder if they actually even have pilot licenses or any real flying experience!! I am sure those of you watching CBC can agree with me that these two guys made themselves sound really stupid to the aviation community.

But look out - here come the experts!!

It's a Boeing 737 aircraft.....no wait....it's a....A340.....no wait, it's a bird....it's a plane......it's.....SUPER GROVER!!!

desksgo · Post by **desksgo** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 5:46 am

C-FOXY wrote: It's a Boeing 737 aircraft.....no wait....it's a....A340.....no wait, it's a bird....it's a plane......it's.....SUPER GROVER!!!

Near................Far.............Near..........Far!

Kidding aside, you guys are completely right about this problem, which is even worse in the US. CNN will get Dr. Sanjay Gupta on anytime someone has a heartattack or the when the President chokes on a pretzel, but they'll just let any ol' schmuch talk about " 'dem flyin' machines". No one represents us properly in this industry and that is a serious problem. Organizations like AOPA, COPA and pilot unions should have one point contacts that take care of all of this crap.

flyindude · Post by **flyindude** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:33 am

[quote="C-FOXY"]CBC also had some real winners on as the whole story was unfolding.

Are you referring to the teenage girl from Oshawa, holding the two Welcome Home balloons. She claims, because she knows all about aviation, that the wheels had fallen off the airplane upon landing, hence the bumpy landing. What a knob! She's had her 15 minutes of fame, now bugger off!

55+ · Post by **55+** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:05 am

Well……… you sort have to expect that from the media, especially TV. CBC’s coverage was amateur in my personal opinion but they had to fill in two hours worth of programming, hence the instant experts from a C172 pilot to an Aviation business analysist to an editorial writer for a small aviation magazine. The media always want to zero in on the cause, yet the fire wasn’t out and the engines were still warm. The print media is much better because it is not in your face type of reporting and I thought the Globe and Mail had a better balanced report in this morning’s edition

Beechball · Post by **Beechball** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:15 am

There's another Bozo from the "Canadian Press Ass" making headlines in all the newspapers this morning saying....
" It seemed like a perfect 3-point landing "
Now, it's been a while since my 1st solo but isn't a 3-point landing to be avoided? Can't remember exactly but I think it's all 3 gear at the same time, and that's not a good thing right?
Gotta love those losers!

FL410 · Post by **FL410** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:25 am

I believe the 340 does have three main bogeys, so it could be possible.

EDIT - although the center main is much shorter, so they'd have to prang it on to actually get it to compress I'd imagine.

TenForTwelve · Post by **TenForTwelve** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:29 am

Makes one think... as pilots, we all know the media is wrong quite often reporting aviation facts. Take any subject they report on, and you have to realize that they're probably telling us half truths on that subject as well.

B612 · Post by **B612** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:19 am

A perfect three pointer could be an appropriate term, for a tail-wheel airplane. Maybe he thought it was a DC340? All pilots should avoid talking to the media, especially new pilots. Mr. JT must feel foolish if he's thought about what he said and sounded like on the news. Over our careers there will be other incidents that we may be asked to comment on. Don't.

flaps40 · Post by **flaps40** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:36 am

We need to remember that an Expert is usually someone who can't stand the pressure

flaps40 · Post by **flaps40** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:38 am

let me try that again. An expert is usually a drip that couldn't stand the pressure

wha happen · Post by **wha happen** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:27 am

i got asked to comment on the accident by someone today. Sorry i was asked if i could be interviewed. I politly told them to blow it out their ass. Then they had the nerve to ask again. What is wrong with these people.

55+ · Post by **55+** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:33 am

In my previous life as one who provided criteria interpretations to TSB on investigations and incidents, I did ask an acquaintance at TSB who was involved with the Swissair investigation about all these arm chair consultants, aviation experts - south of the border mind you – who were expressing opinions on what really went on during that fateful night. I was told “if those people were such experts in investigation, we would have them up here as part of the team”.

FrankD · Post by **FrankD** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:33 pm

several years ago I had the misfortune of reading a pretty classless headline in a local paper about a colleague who was killed instructing 2 days before.

I don't mean to sound flip but if you realize that "reporter" and "aviation expert" are latin for "Crotch-Stain" it'll make the reports easier to hear/read and you'll be much happier.

Pratt X 3 · Post by **Pratt X 3** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:43 pm

Perhaps we need to create a hall of shame for our so-called aviation experts. Captain Cowlick from Montreal is right up there near the top of my list along with Wolf Blitzed of CNN and the two gentlemen who graced the TV screen on CP24. I really enjoyed getting the expert opinions from the guy trying to sell the trend monitoring product to airlines during the call in show on CP24 at noon today.

And so much for fact checking. Every media report is talking how a DC9 ran off the same runway 27 years ago...except for the fact that the runway was just built a couple of years ago!

ei ei owe · Post by **ei ei owe** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:46 pm

While we're on the topic of ranting about the media, I just finished watching the afternoon news and it appears as though everyone who had plans to head off to Toronto that went to shit are blaming the airlines. And why was it only footage of AC jets and pissy people in the AC line that were interviewed? Did WJ get all their passengers over there? Biased news coverage and crappy reporters listening to anybody trying to make their story first.

FrankD · Post by **FrankD** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:53 pm

Say it together now...."CROTCH-STAIN"

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:59 pm

I didnt see the interview you guys are refering to, only caught the highlights on the news net late night. But when i was interviewed a while back they cut out most of what I thought was important to the story and left in only a few sound bites.

EI-EIO · Post by **EI-EIO** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:01 pm

ei ei owe

maybe because many of those pax may have already faced delays due AC's hours fiasco?

I did read (in the Star I think) about some guy trying to get back to Nfld with CJ having an awful time of it.

Natalie · Post by **Natalie** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:56 pm

I'm a journalist with CP24 I'm looking for an experienced pilot -- perhaps even a retired one, to answer questions -- to come in to Citytv tonight for a show. You need to have landed at Pearson before. You will not be asked to speculate. Call me for more details.
416.948.7991
This is your chance to bring aviation credibility to television.
Thanks very much,
Natalie.

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:12 pm

Natalie wrote:I'm a journalist with CP24 I'm looking for an experienced pilot -- perhaps even a retired one, to answer questions -- to come in to Citytv tonight for a show. You need to have landed at Pearson before. You will not be asked to speculate. Call me for more details.
416.948.7991
This is your chance to bring aviation credibility to television.
Thanks very much,
Natalie.

Captain Greg Haza

pm me for details (please enclose a picture of yourself)

N2 · Post by N2 » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:12 pm

Step right up folks and have your few minutes of fame!

Talking to the Media

Talking to the Media

Captain Cowlick, you're my hero!!!

if you think you know what you're talking about call me

Re: if you think you know what you're talking about call me