We are entering the era when it’s safer to be up there…
Here’s some good news for anyone boarding a plane this holiday season: Flying on U.S. airlines has become so safe that experts increasingly believe the biggest remaining risk of an accident is when the wheels are on the ground.
This is truly impressive. But what will become of the charming tradition of applauding a pilot who has successfully landed a plane that’s been through an unusually bumpy flight? Are we now not idiots for clapping? The danger was never in the sky but here on the ground—the “surface threats” The captain hasn’t taken us to safety but away from it.
Update: Speaking of up there, Ben Demar sent this link.
I guess we can applaud when the pilot gets us safely up and away from earth, instead.
I’ve often felt the clapping was at least on par with the junior-high mob who clap when someone haplessly drops their cafeteria tray.
The thing is – it may be safer up in the air, but nobody gets on an airliner merely to be in the air; we’re all trying to get to a destination. Furthermore, as any pilot will tell you the safety of being off the ground rapidly diminishes as your fuel approaches zero.
Fly El Al. On their flights, everyone claps upon touchdown regardless of flight conditions.
Though maybe that’s because the plane is usually full of Jews who are happy to be in Israel.
I clap when the drink cart comes around.
@5, i think you forgot to say something mean about my dead father.
I’m sure it’s just an oversight, Charles. He probably didn’t know your father died.