Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Michelle Obama Did NOT Almost Die.

Holy crap did you hear Michelle Obama's plane almost exploded into a fireball of death the other day? I did! Given all the bad press the FAA has been getting, and being a pilot myself I did a little research. The story at most news outlets goes "The airplane carrying the first lady aborted a landing Monday after narrowly avoiding a collision with a 200-ton military cargo jet."

Now THAT sounds sensational. What doesn't sound sensational is the truth which is this. The planes were 3 miles apart instead of the required 5. I'm really amazed she survived being 3 miles away from another plane!  WHOOP. DEE. DOO. If that had been a flight any of us mere mortals were on this never would have made the news. These things happen all the time and I myself have been asked many times to do a go around or a 360 turn for separation. Big deal. Oh wait it's Michelle Obama.... let me rephrase... "OMG she could have been killed!!!!"