<p>Are they just “unlucky”? Particularly challenging to fly an airplane in that region? Poorly trained pilots? Poorly managed low-fare airline company? Unstable region due to either political or religious reasons?</p>
<p>I really do not know. (I heard there tend to be more natural disasters like earth quakes in that region.)</p>
<p>Really feel sorry for those on the plane and their families!</p>
AirAsia is a low fare airline, but so is Southwest Airlines. I may hate AirAsia’s uncomfortable seats and “dry” beverage offerings, but it is a VERY well-managed company w experienced pilots, a young aircraft fleet, and a great safety record. AirAsia is a Malaysia-based company. Malaysia is not politically unstable. </p>
<p>Earthquakes had nothing to do w this plane mishap. Ever heard of THUNDER STORMS? </p>
<p>I flew home yesterday from Germany with even more anxiety than normal (I am terrified of flying and typically have lots of morbid thoughts prior to getting on the plane). Snow storm hit the airport right after we arrived. We had to be de-iced a couple of times before they would release our flight, so this really increased my anxiety.</p>
<p>I thought I was watching a “year in review” program when I turned the TV on and saw the news this morning. It took a few minutes for me to realize this was another plane. </p>
<p>Baby kiddo was on a plane heading to Paris when the breaking news headline appeared on my screen.
So sad for the families of the missing passengers and crew!</p>
<p>I agree with GMT, an earthquake couldn’t take down an airplane…no doubt the most likely factor were the thunderstorms they were trying to deviate around. If they flew through them and the storms were bad enough, a lightning strike (which is usually benign) could have caused damage, taken out the power. They could have had a dual engine failure and if they don’t get their oxygen masks on pretty fast at altitude, they could be incapacitated pretty quickly as you lose pressurization. The plane could have stalled, too much icing, so many issues. But who knows? Hopefully they will find the black boxes and everything quickly. I don’t think there is a chance of survival.</p>
<p>As far as Malaysian based airlines having a tough time lately, I think it is purely bad luck. Any carrier could have had their airplane shot down over the Ukraine, most all of us were flying that route. We still don’t know about flight 370. What is odd is when airplanes go down during the cruise phase, and there is a mystery until they find out the cause. It’s almost always during the takeoff and landing phase, so it makes bigger headlines when the airplane is just missing.</p>
<p>I do not know how much is the difference in air pressure between during the flight and on the ground.</p>
<p>We brought a bag of pretzel at an airport. When we were at 30000 ft, we noticed the (unopened) bag of Pretzel swells up like a balloon full of air. We had some concern that it might pop and create a scene, so we opened it.</p>
<p>I have never noticed this phenomenon. No wonder the ear drums could hurt during takeoff or landing.</p>
<p>I’d give it a wag that at 30,000 feet, the cabin pressure is around 5,000 feet, approximately. Enough to make some people feel a little woozy if they were walking around, but not too many. However, if you lost pressurization, the inside of the airplane would be equal to the outside, and time of useful consciousness would be approximately 1-3 minutes, based on your condition.</p>
<p>I’m no expert, but I know enough about aviation to have questions. I think if it had crashed, the ELT would have been activated. Same with 370. I doubt these planes crashed, but the obvious question is, where are they? And if someone can make planes just “disappear,” who are they and how are they doing it? </p>
<p>I’m no expert, but I know enough about aviation to have questions. I think if it had crashed, the ELT would have been activated. Same with 370."</p>
<p>ELT’ don’t always work, especially older models. Though they are supposed to activate upon impact, when submerged in water, they are not effective. There is no guarantee that an ELT will activate.</p>
<p>" I doubt these planes crashed, but the obvious question is, where are they? And if someone can make planes just “disappear,” who are they and how are they doing it?"</p>
<p>Um…maybe extra terrestrials? Super powered beings who can magically make things disappear (ever see the Star Trek episodes with the being Q (portrayed by John D Lancie) in them?</p>
<p>Or maybe it’s the more obvious choice. They aren’t just disappearing. It’s a big wide world out there and we just don’t have adequate technology to find every single airplane that goes down in the water. Maybe we will find this one, as at least they have a better idea of where it disappeared.</p>
<p>I was at the beach, and at some point between walking from my car to my beach lounger, I realized my tiny gold post earring was gone. I know I had it when I was in the car, because I put my hand on it to take it off, then decided against it. It was approximately 100 yards from the car to my lounger. I couldn’t find that tiny earring in that large expanse of sand, so after a few minutes, I realized I was essentially looking for a needle in a haystack, to put it lightly. I gave up on the idea of finding it. Is it accurate to say my earring “disappeared”?</p>
<p>I do not have any evidence. But somehow I tend to believe both of them are man-made disasters. After all, both are close to the area where there seems to be some instability due to various society reason (politics.)</p>
<p>Very sad situation. Thoughts and Prayers with the families of the crew and passengers. One of my kiddo is enroute to a destination in that region. Kiddo text of a safe landing, now kiddo is on a four hour layover before the final leg of trip. Sending good vibes for all travelling.</p>
<p>So sad and does nothing to make me feel better about flying. That area is becoming the new Bermuda Triangle. I just hope whatever happened it was quick and that they didn’t suffer. </p>