StrayKiwi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2019
- Messages
- 330
- Reaction score
- 284
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Hamilton, NZ
- Members Ride
- MY18 ZB VXR
In the mid 1990’s there was a South African Airlines flight heading from Durban to Perth. About three quarters of the way there, the PA comes alive. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. Unfortunately our engines have lost power and we are unable to maintain altitude. The flight crew and I have discussed the problem, and we have come up with a solution to see if we can make it to Perth. Our plan is to lighten the plane, so would all unnecessary cargo and all baggage items, go to the back of the plane.”
There was a mad rush as people grabbed their duty free and cabin luggage and took it down the back where it was all unceremoniously thrown out the rear hatch.
People stared nervously staring out the windows as the Indian Ocean got closer and closer. It wasn’t long before the PA came alive again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, again this is your Captain speaking. While your efforts have been useful the flight crew have calculated that we still do not have enough altitude to make it to Perth. We are now asking that all cargo and unnecessary items, go to the back of the plane.”
Seats were unscrewed, food trolleys, plates and cutlery, alcohol and soft drinks, pillows and blankets, even the fire extinguishers were taken down the back and thrown out the hatch.
The passengers sat in an anxious huddle on the floor and awaited their fate. After what seemed like an eternity the dreaded PA activated again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, once again this is your Captain speaking. We have run the numbers once again and while we are confident we can make landfall, unfortunately we do not have enough altitude to make the airport. In order to save as many lives as possible, some lives will have to be sacrificed. The flight crew and I have discussed the issue and we have come up with a solution that you will all agree, is both scientific and represents the new racial harmony present in the Republic of South Africa. The method we have selected will be in alphabetical order, so would all Asians, Blacks and Coloureds, go to the back of the plane!”
There was a mad rush as people grabbed their duty free and cabin luggage and took it down the back where it was all unceremoniously thrown out the rear hatch.
People stared nervously staring out the windows as the Indian Ocean got closer and closer. It wasn’t long before the PA came alive again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, again this is your Captain speaking. While your efforts have been useful the flight crew have calculated that we still do not have enough altitude to make it to Perth. We are now asking that all cargo and unnecessary items, go to the back of the plane.”
Seats were unscrewed, food trolleys, plates and cutlery, alcohol and soft drinks, pillows and blankets, even the fire extinguishers were taken down the back and thrown out the hatch.
The passengers sat in an anxious huddle on the floor and awaited their fate. After what seemed like an eternity the dreaded PA activated again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, once again this is your Captain speaking. We have run the numbers once again and while we are confident we can make landfall, unfortunately we do not have enough altitude to make the airport. In order to save as many lives as possible, some lives will have to be sacrificed. The flight crew and I have discussed the issue and we have come up with a solution that you will all agree, is both scientific and represents the new racial harmony present in the Republic of South Africa. The method we have selected will be in alphabetical order, so would all Asians, Blacks and Coloureds, go to the back of the plane!”
