How much $$$ to charter a A330!?

[Mamma]

I'm with Bill on this one too. A minor's job is not to be out risking their life to set records. A parent's job is not spending a few hundred thousand dollars to train and pressure their kids into doing these stunts either. So many out there want to the fame and fortune and do not care to see the consequences. When one becomes an adult then they alone are responsible for their choices. I think the parents should be taken out and flogged.

Bjamm, I also think ability has nothing to do with it. When I was 15 I had the ability to do many things but I am not sure I had the mental maturity because I was young. I just find it so wrong that parents would pressure their child into such a position as being alone in the Indian Ocean during winter storms to set some stupid record that nobody really cares about. Pirates, storms, malfunctions and the such... What responsible parents would put their child into that situation?

 

[Bjammin]

My God you guys!? With all the kids playing video games, doing drugs, and getting fat on junk I'm stooked that a 16 year old had the determination to take something like this on. She was well prepared, had the experience, and after following her for quite a while, I'm convinced that this was her idea. Waiting 2 years would not have made a bit of difference.
Jessica was 7! I don't think a 7 year old should fly an airplane, drive a car, or sail around the world alone, but 16 is differerent. We let 16 year olds solo an airplane with MINIMAL experience. That means a 16 year old is flying an airplane over people's houses, over highways, etc... and is trusted to make split second decisions if something goes wrong. It would cost WAY more then 100K if they made a bad decision. Again, 16 year olds ar driving SOLO, or maybe with your kids in their car, on highways next to us at all times.
In her blogs she comes accross as intelligent and she is obviously skilled. Weather is going to be a factor. We take risks in the air all the time, catching the jet stream, dodging thunderheads, landing on wet runways, etc... We are professionals, weigh the risks, and put the appropiate controls in place. She was as prepared as any of us are in our jobs. A PR stunt, everyone that sets to break a record is looking for some sort of fame, but what's wrong with that?
The ONLY issue here is her age and if you trust 16 year olds with the risky activites above, why bash her?

 

[Little Bubba]

She was well prepared and did everything properly

That's a pretty stupid statement since you weren't there, and you don't know if that's true or not.

BTW, are you goin The Brewhouse for lunch...

 

[Bjammin]

No, i'm taking my boat out today.

 

[Bjammin]

That's a pretty stupid statement since you weren't there, and you don't know if that's true or not.

Let me rephrase: It all my research of her experience she appeared to be very well prepared with all the nessesary equipment, repair expertise, sailing knowlege, etc... and she appeared to have no fault in her mast breaking and was ready to spend weeks at sea awaiting rescue if required.

 

[General Lee]

Let me rephrase: It all my research of her experience she appeared to be very well prepared with all the nessesary equipment, repair expertise, sailing knowlege, etc... and she appeared to have no fault in her mast breaking and was ready to spend weeks at sea awaiting rescue if required.

Would someone older in that same storm have handled it better? Would the mast of the boat still snapped with an older skipper incharge? I don't know....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Bjammin]

We don't know, but I think we can say that someone with less skill would probably be dead now and the effort to recover a body would cost much more.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

We don't know, but I think we can say that someone with less skill would probably be dead now and the effort to recover a body would cost much more.

Doubtful.....Your mast breaks, WHAT SKILL DO YOU NEED?

Human survival got her through it. It really doesn't take many brain cells to hit an Emergency Sat Beacon and talk into a radio. (save the Relief F/O jokes)

End of the day, she's OK, that's what's important, but like someone said earlier....she got EXPERIENCE!! Now the parents need to walk a plank....

 

[SWA/FO]

They say the route taken and time of the year was more dangerous.

 

[waveflyer]

I've never been better than when i was 25- I'm more experienced now and don't NEED to be better.

That said- is it any wonder that as the country has gotten more conservative and prosperous we produce so many 22 year old college grads that arent as mature as the rest of the world's 16 year olds? Hell- i wouldn't trust most of america's 25 year olds with this trip. Maybe we ought not be coddling our kids so much.

I like that she did this- but maybe the parent's should have been in a boat 20 miles behind her.

 

[Mamma]

I like that she did this- but maybe the parent's should have been in a boat 20 miles behind her.

That would have been perfect with me.

 

[at7driver]

For the anti's that posted.. you do realize that teens have been doing the solo circum for decades.. just google the book DOVE. Of course they typically make the trip in cruising boats rather than an Open 40 (race boat).. the open 40's are capable of suring at close to 30knots for DAYS..

Her age had NOTHING to do with this, for those that are beotching get over it.. just because you didnt get to do anything this cool when you were 16..

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Her age had NOTHING to do with this, for those that are beotching get over it.. just because you didnt get to do anything this cool when you were 16..

Ya think?? I'm beeotching just because I'm sick of people like you laying Kudos at the feet of a bunch of media hounds. Would you let your kid do it?

Besides, Then should the byline on all of the media reports read the kids age?? If age has nothing to do with it as some have suggested on here.

 

[Snapshot]

Here's a shocker.................................
The Dad is broke, has eight kids, and is pitching a reality show to solve his money problems.


She's just got a more expensive balloon.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Here's a shocker.................................
The Dad is broke, has eight kids, and is pitching a reality show to solve his money problems.


She's just got a more expensive balloon.

Seriously?? I F-ing knew it!!!

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/06/15/lkl.abby.sunderland.dad.speaks.cnn?hpt=T2

Why can't we give reality shows to the deserving, like kids who put care packages together for our troops, or those who volunteer for the sick, needy or elderly......I Know, I know, not as exciting but MUCH more deserving.