Rex Mid Air Scare - Who writes this CR@P!!
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As for his statement "manually raised the flaps for landing": I wouldn't get too excited about it.
No you're right, Steve Jacobs wasn't the journalist but do you think what he said had any less impact because he didn't 'type the story'? Again, the people aren't going to discount what he said just because he didn't type the 2 paragraphs below the video. As far as most people were concerned, Steve Jacobs did that story.
Steve Jacobs aside for a sec, look even at simple things like the camera work, it was spinning around him like the situation was out of control, to heighten the tension of all the viewers. It's complete and utter rubbish, the whole thing, and we certainly don't need it.
Cpt Chaos, how can you think this isn't aviation related? Poor reporting on little things like this directly damages the industry. Reporting on aviation needs to be done properly, for god's sake we have a segment of the news dedicated to what's going on in hollywood, and more often than not the same idiot that fills us in on Jen and Brad then moves on to explain how the metal pipes that stick out the side of the plane caused the Air France 330 to speed up out of control and break up.
As a loose comparison on aviation reporting, I was in France during the first few days after the AF447 accident, and the reporting there was a world away from the crap that we see in oz. I understand there is a huge difference between a catastrophic loss of life and an hydraulic failure, but nonetheless, the way it was approached there is like nothing I have ever seen. The first person they talked to was the head of the equivalent of the ATSB, followed over the next few days by pilots and professionals coming to explain the ACARS messages, pitot tubes, history of the 330 and so on. At the same time I thought back to Kochie talking about the QF 330 in WA and it made me shudder. Like I said, not a direct comparison but the differences in reporting is clearly evident. God forbid they'd want to tell the story as it happened.
Jaba, will certainly update if I hear anything back from these people.
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socks and thongs,
Good post. I think it is an unfortunate fact of life that most media will favour sensational stories and reporting. But this is because most of the public actually prefer it that way. This is the reality that we live in.
The only complaint that we can make of that REX story was that it was sensationalist. But, as I alluded to earlier, to expect no sensationalism is like expecting a car salesman to not lay on the sales pitch.
Without that high profile witness, I doubt the REX story ever would have made it to press.
A less sensationalist report (they do happen - subject to the whims of the media cycle) would probably not have carried any passenger interviews, but instead just given the bare facts, along with a statement from a REX spokesperson.
I agree completely - but to use a phrase that you would normally only hear in media circles - it was "good television". And that, unfortunately for us on this occasion, is the business the TV stations are in - "good television" (!).
I would doubt that the commercial media would be any different there than here. Given the scale of the AF447 tragedy, a much more sombre approach to the reporting was required - especially in France - but that approach is also evident here.
A similar aviation tragedy, affecting Australia, would be reported like the Victorian bushfires were reported. Did anybody notice that the media personalities, reporting from the devasted towns in the days immediately after, weren't wearing makeup? Entirely deliberate of course, and all to help set the sombre tone.
Good post. I think it is an unfortunate fact of life that most media will favour sensational stories and reporting. But this is because most of the public actually prefer it that way. This is the reality that we live in.
The only complaint that we can make of that REX story was that it was sensationalist. But, as I alluded to earlier, to expect no sensationalism is like expecting a car salesman to not lay on the sales pitch.
Without that high profile witness, I doubt the REX story ever would have made it to press.
A less sensationalist report (they do happen - subject to the whims of the media cycle) would probably not have carried any passenger interviews, but instead just given the bare facts, along with a statement from a REX spokesperson.
... the camera work, it was spinning around him like the situation was out of control, to heighten the tension of all the viewers. It's complete and utter rubbish, ...
I was in France during the first few days after the AF447 accident, and the reporting there was a world away from the crap that we see in oz.
A similar aviation tragedy, affecting Australia, would be reported like the Victorian bushfires were reported. Did anybody notice that the media personalities, reporting from the devasted towns in the days immediately after, weren't wearing makeup? Entirely deliberate of course, and all to help set the sombre tone.
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Letter to Channel 9
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing in response to a news story conducted on an ‘in flight emergency’ on board a Regional Express aircraft entitled ‘Mid-air scare for Nine weatherman’. I do not believe an event such as this warrants this type of story, regardless of what the eyewitness (who happened to be a Channel 9 employee) had experienced.
Hydraulic failure in an aircraft is very rarely a catastrophic event, and measures in the design of the aircraft are taken to ensure redundancies are in place so that failure does not prevent the aircraft from normal, albeit sometimes limited operation. There is absolutely no question that the events that took place on this flight were managed as they should have been and although the story was not an attack on the crew or company, I sincerely believe the airing of the story alone has put a mark on Regional Express. I certainly do not expect your reporters or indeed the general public to be experts on aviation issues, however, the approach that was taken with its mixture of fact and fiction may prove to be highly successful at taking what remains of confidence in the travelling public away, and indeed what at this time is absolutely critical business from operators such as Regional Express.
I do not work for Regional Express, nor do I have any interests in the company, however being passionate about the industry I find it extremely difficult to stand by while stories like this one are aired. I believe it is imperative that the approach to a story such as this is taken either from an entirely external point of view, i.e. ‘An aircraft has been diverted to Griffith due to a suspected hydraulic failure’, or from an internal point of view using the knowledge of pilots and professionals to explain exactly what happened. Unfortunately the story that aired has taken a half way approach, with a Channel 9 employee reporting on certain technical aspects of the flight that are incorrect and reflect poorly on what actually took place which, as it turned out, was a normal response to an event which although not normal, was not at all critical and at which no time threatened the lives of anyone on board.
Aviation is a unique industry and should be treated with respect in reporting. It doesn’t take a great deal to shake up the public, and stories such as the one you aired are pushing an already struggling industry backwards. Great stories clearly sell, however at the other end of those sales are empty seats for which for a couple of minutes of good TV, is hard to swallow. Professional advice on areas such as this is not at all difficult to find and using such advice will do a great deal more in maintaining the integrity of the story and indeed the confidence of the travelling public. I sincerely hope that for the respect of the subjects and the aviation industry as a whole you choose to pursue such advice in the future.
Yours Sincerely,
Socks and Thongs
I am writing in response to a news story conducted on an ‘in flight emergency’ on board a Regional Express aircraft entitled ‘Mid-air scare for Nine weatherman’. I do not believe an event such as this warrants this type of story, regardless of what the eyewitness (who happened to be a Channel 9 employee) had experienced.
Hydraulic failure in an aircraft is very rarely a catastrophic event, and measures in the design of the aircraft are taken to ensure redundancies are in place so that failure does not prevent the aircraft from normal, albeit sometimes limited operation. There is absolutely no question that the events that took place on this flight were managed as they should have been and although the story was not an attack on the crew or company, I sincerely believe the airing of the story alone has put a mark on Regional Express. I certainly do not expect your reporters or indeed the general public to be experts on aviation issues, however, the approach that was taken with its mixture of fact and fiction may prove to be highly successful at taking what remains of confidence in the travelling public away, and indeed what at this time is absolutely critical business from operators such as Regional Express.
I do not work for Regional Express, nor do I have any interests in the company, however being passionate about the industry I find it extremely difficult to stand by while stories like this one are aired. I believe it is imperative that the approach to a story such as this is taken either from an entirely external point of view, i.e. ‘An aircraft has been diverted to Griffith due to a suspected hydraulic failure’, or from an internal point of view using the knowledge of pilots and professionals to explain exactly what happened. Unfortunately the story that aired has taken a half way approach, with a Channel 9 employee reporting on certain technical aspects of the flight that are incorrect and reflect poorly on what actually took place which, as it turned out, was a normal response to an event which although not normal, was not at all critical and at which no time threatened the lives of anyone on board.
Aviation is a unique industry and should be treated with respect in reporting. It doesn’t take a great deal to shake up the public, and stories such as the one you aired are pushing an already struggling industry backwards. Great stories clearly sell, however at the other end of those sales are empty seats for which for a couple of minutes of good TV, is hard to swallow. Professional advice on areas such as this is not at all difficult to find and using such advice will do a great deal more in maintaining the integrity of the story and indeed the confidence of the travelling public. I sincerely hope that for the respect of the subjects and the aviation industry as a whole you choose to pursue such advice in the future.
Yours Sincerely,
Socks and Thongs
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Socks and Thongs, wouldn't waste too much time defending this or any operator.
True, it would be nice if it were factually correct. Keep in mind this and other operators have countless cases that the media never gets a hand on... some serious, others not. A little media attention every now and then to keep operators on their toes is not all bad.
At the end of the day if a journo does not know which way the flaps go (or anything else) then you can reasonably assume the majority of the travelling public would not know either - so essentially unimportant. It is not an official investigation.
I wouldn't worry about media damaging the profits of this business either. It's built on cheap labour, bargain priced a/c and a monopoly on most ports.
True, it would be nice if it were factually correct. Keep in mind this and other operators have countless cases that the media never gets a hand on... some serious, others not. A little media attention every now and then to keep operators on their toes is not all bad.
At the end of the day if a journo does not know which way the flaps go (or anything else) then you can reasonably assume the majority of the travelling public would not know either - so essentially unimportant. It is not an official investigation.
I wouldn't worry about media damaging the profits of this business either. It's built on cheap labour, bargain priced a/c and a monopoly on most ports.
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notthereyet - If only they'd pay more for their staff, buy expensive aircraft and compete on every route they would be much better off 
This forum is all about sensational and uninformed reporting by non aviation people, and then mention1 wants to retire the SAAB because of 1 partial hyrdraulic failure and 1 faulty engine indication light
And he is supposed to know what he is talking about. How many hours would Rex do every year? I'd imagine 40k + ?
Yep - ground em all!!
This forum is all about sensational and uninformed reporting by non aviation people, and then mention1 wants to retire the SAAB because of 1 partial hyrdraulic failure and 1 faulty engine indication light
And he is supposed to know what he is talking about. How many hours would Rex do every year? I'd imagine 40k + ? Yep - ground em all!!
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JetA_OK,
I think people are getting their knickers in a knot over nothing. A journos report is for the lay person, it is not an investigation... therefore it is not essential that every fact be to the same standard. Beating chests about the media sensationalising an event is really going to have an impact on the nature of media too
. Like it or not that's how they make a living.
Nothing wrong with a SAAB. Twisting my last comment was good too!
I think people are getting their knickers in a knot over nothing. A journos report is for the lay person, it is not an investigation... therefore it is not essential that every fact be to the same standard. Beating chests about the media sensationalising an event is really going to have an impact on the nature of media too
. Like it or not that's how they make a living.Nothing wrong with a SAAB. Twisting my last comment was good too!
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I'm not particularly interested in uncovering an investigation, nor am I interested in the politics of REX operations.
I just don't like the media turning nothing into something through rubbish reporting.
I just don't like the media turning nothing into something through rubbish reporting.
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And more the point........ Hyped up stories create damage to the operator unfairly. Stories of what was 1 second away from the biggest aviation disaster in Australia's history, took weeks to get even a story, and it happened in a major capital city.
Then on another front QF can have an aircon pack problem and its a disaster due to offshore maint/lame unions/pilots complaining about lunch menu's/bla bla bla........ just pick one!
Then on another front QF can have an aircon pack problem and its a disaster due to offshore maint/lame unions/pilots complaining about lunch menu's/bla bla bla........ just pick one!
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Airline (and other commercial) operators can make a significant contribution to quality reporting by getting on the front foot and distributing a carefully worded media release BEFORE the local journalist has a chance to speak to the local cop who always becomes a self-appointed aviation expert.
The statement doesn't have to have all of the answers but needs to use non-emotive and factual statements with little jargon.
The statement doesn't have to have all of the answers but needs to use non-emotive and factual statements with little jargon.
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Oh for f*&ks sake.
Don't you think the lack of EBA progression and the crap conditions we endure at Rex rate ever so slightly higher than this minor incident.
Yes there was a 'TV personality' on board that reported inaccuracies, they all do.
BUT the crew resolved the problem. ie no death or injury!!!
3 pages of dribble, lets try talking about something important !!
OUR lack of a new EBA, the companies arogance to the situation and union appearing to be soft as my wifes breast.
Show me the money.
Don't you think the lack of EBA progression and the crap conditions we endure at Rex rate ever so slightly higher than this minor incident.
Yes there was a 'TV personality' on board that reported inaccuracies, they all do.
BUT the crew resolved the problem. ie no death or injury!!!
3 pages of dribble, lets try talking about something important !!
OUR lack of a new EBA, the companies arogance to the situation and union appearing to be soft as my wifes breast.
Show me the money.
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Glad to see that some one else finds this thread a load of bull crap, well said OYR, pretty much what I said at the top of this page. With ref to the EBA negotiations try not to blame the messenger, the union is at the mercy of a management who don't want to finalize this for one reason or another (ask your union rep assuming you are a member).
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It's apparent that this thread is now on its way down a slippery slope to a REX political jerkoff.
If you don't believe the media play a part in the industry, you are incredibly short sighted.
I'll leave you to it......
If you don't believe the media play a part in the industry, you are incredibly short sighted.
I'll leave you to it......
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Well said Socks and Thongs 
Funny how I had a number of emails sent to me, today in particular about this thread but the topic in general, and at lunch today out of the blue the same story unsolicited by non ppruners.
Funny how I had a number of emails sent to me, today in particular about this thread but the topic in general, and at lunch today out of the blue the same story unsolicited by non ppruners.
