Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ?

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by cstejerean on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @05:01PM (#640398)

Probably because the majority of passengers are not trained to operate a parachute, attempting to jump out of a plane at 40,000 ft is likely to be lethal even with a parachute, and that having 200+ people orderly jump out of a plane with parachutes while the plane is crashing out of control is unlikely to work.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by asciilifeform on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @05:08PM (#640418)

A more interesting question is why one is not permitted to bring a parachute on board at one's own expense, and why there are not even token provisions for enabling their use in a situation where they might be helpful.

Air travel phobia seems to be rooted in the lack of control experienced by the passenger - specifically, in the anticipation of utter helplessness in the event of a crash. A parachute would help with that, even if its role is largely ceremonial.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by patrickg-zill on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @08:54PM (#640755)

Parachute use at high altitudes means you have to either depressurize the entire cabin, or else create some sort of airlock which allows you to get into an unpressurized space so that you can open a door to the outside; which would add a large amount of weight and take up expensive space.

The reality is, that you are in fact utterly helpless in the event of a crash.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by kgrin on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @05:19PM (#640441)

I suspect it's a practical concern if nothing else, having to do with mundane constraints like carry-on sizes. Also, as another practical matter, I highly doubt that the folks with severe air travel phobia would be even remotely trained to use a chute (which requires doing it, more than once!)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by philwelch on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @07:49PM (#640691)

D.B. Cooper. Allowing people the means to parachute from airliners only enables hijacking as a means of escape from the law.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by asciilifeform on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @09:12PM (#640778)

Then why not have garlands of frag grenades hanging on the ceiling as part of every bank's security system? Why should we enable bank robbers to escape from the law when hijackers cannot?

I'd prefer to fly on planes which aren't execution chambers for criminal and witness alike. The market refuses to provide me with this option, however.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by run4yourlives on Thursday June 04, 2009 @12:23PM (#641691)

>The market refuses to provide me with this option, however.

What are you talking about? The market already provides that option in several forms:

1. Learn to fly and fly yourself. 2. Rent a pilot and a plane and get to where you want to be.

You might not be able to afford those options, but they are there.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by philwelch on Wednesday June 03, 2009 @10:00PM (#640826)

"Then why not have garlands of frag grenades hanging on the ceiling as part of every bank's security system?"

Because that would have significant side effects. Since parachutes are pretty much useless on airliners anyway, no significant side effects from banning them.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by run4yourlives on Thursday June 04, 2009 @12:41PM (#641726)

Which airlines are you flying that seem to have ridiculously spacious cabins?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by philwelch on Thursday June 04, 2009 @01:34PM (#641820)

I don't understand why you're asking me that--I'm not the one arguing for parachutes.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Why do airlines still use "black boxes" ? by run4yourlives on Thursday June 04, 2009 @02:51PM (#641947)

Ah, I re-read your comment. Sorry, I thought you were saying that there was no side effect in allowing them on the plane, to which I was pointing out that space is a serious side effect.

lol, it's pre coffee reading that will do me in everytime.

[ Parent | on HN ]