As for people "making the cut" like the rest of us, anyone who's been around as long as you Avbug, should stop playing devil's advocate and acknowledge that Santa Claus DE's do exist.
How long have I been around? Never make assumptions.
Who plays devils advocate? I'm sick to death of posters who only come here to attack others. Rather than coming aboard to attack, denegrate, and bring down, try contributing something some time. I'm sure you can do it.
Are there examiners who award certificates the unqualified? Sure, it happens. There are pilots flying for carriers that aren't worth spit, but who move up the chain based on seniority and retraining over and over. I've flown with them, and if you've been around the patch more than once, then you have, too.
I've seen the same in most segments of the industry, both pilots and mechanics. But then I've seen the same in hospitals and waiting rooms. I've seen the same in auto shops. And all sorts of places. Is there something about being a celebrity that means that these folks are automatically relegated to the bottom of the pile?
I don't have any of the Kotter episodes; haven't seen one for years, though occasionally I'll relapse and do my best Horshack impersonation. And back then I did think Mr. Kotter's wife was cute. And as I stated before, I've never met Mr. Travolta. I don't anticipate that I ever will. I asked if you have, and upon what personal experience you convict him or denegrate his character. I'm still waiting.
I don't know if Travolta is all that great in the sky, but I don't like the way the media tries to show these people as spokesmen for the industry.
The media is in the entertainment business. It always has been. Do you not know this?
Do you become agitated because you see a C-119 crash and then impossibly miraculously fly again in the latest cinema incrnation of flight of the phoenix? Of course not. It's a movie. So is whatever the media throws up to you. Accept that, and you'll be a lot happier.
It was later proven that he had over 29 hours of instrument training, so this accident for the most part is unexcusable.
29 hours of training makes disorientation inexcusable? Crikey. I have a whole lot more than that, and I still get disoriented. I still concentrate on instruments; it's never been a natural thing for me. Still isn't. Perhaps being a celebrity and all, JFK should be held to a different standard.
Death shows no bias based on fame, wealth, gender, or nationality.
That is the truth. Speaking of truth, everybody here, for whatever prejudices you hold, is a dead man. Each and every one of us. Before you jump to condemn, remember that the same fate, with a little variation, waits for you. Gauranteed.