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Post by bracknellboy on Dec 20, 2018 18:14:39 GMT
To add to the general sense of chaos and ineptitude in the UK, we now know all it takes to cause the complete shutdown of the country's second largest airport at the busiest time of year: a couple of Xmas gifts which someone chose to nick from under the tree and have a play with. Coming up close to 24 hours and still no end in sight. Is it just me that thinks that by now, with all the warnings there have been, we could reasonably have expected there to be effective contingency planning in place for such an event ? And I don't mean stockpiling vouchers for free tea and coffee to hand out to stranded passengers.
So who do we think might behind all of this:
1. A couple of spotty teenagers "having a laugh". 2. Htw 3rd runway supports, who want to demonstrate how vulnerable Gatwick is 3. Htw 3rd runway protesters, who want to demonstrate how futile it would be
4. IS doing a dry run for a future attack 5. Aggrieved Ryannair pilots and or cabin crew 6. Aggrieved Ryannair customers 7. Labour party accolytes who want to embarrass the government 8. Representatives of Pilots and/or ATC who want to demonstate a point 9. The EU
10 Someone who just wanted the papers to talk about something other than Brexit
I might turn this into a poll....but I can't remember how to add a poll. Edit Oh yes I can. Poll added. 2 votes allowed (unfortunately it doesn't support the single transferable vote system)
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Post by bracknellboy on Dec 20, 2018 18:20:19 GMT
Oh, and some politicians are seriously talking about a "Managed No Deal Brexit".  Chri*t, we can't even manage to keep the airport open at the best of times. |
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baz657
Member of DD Central
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Post by baz657 on Dec 20, 2018 18:27:02 GMT
All joking aside I'm a (private) pilot and I also (sensibly and legally) fly drones. The two should be separated by a wide margin for the sake of the passenger carrying aircraft and their load.
It wouldn't surprise me that, if they are ever caught, the drone flyers are the same type of people that drink copius amount of champagne, play around in boats in the summer months and pretend that they don't pi$$ their customers off - and now they've screwed up a vastly wider, and far more varied financially, audience.
OK, maybe the previous sentence was slightly exaggerated due to todays postal deliveries. 
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james100
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Post by james100 on Dec 20, 2018 18:27:39 GMT
11. MoD, building case for more military funding by extending the army's remit beyond all plausibility
12. Putin, because he's just told May yet again to "do Brexit" and now playtime's over
13. Drones Inc. cheeky "guerilla marketing" Christmas promotion
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Post by df on Dec 20, 2018 18:28:00 GMT
To add to the general sense of chaos and ineptitude in the UK, we now discover that all it takes to cause the complete shutdown of the country's second largest airport at the busiest time of year, is a couple of Xmas gifts which someone chose to nick from under the tree and have a play with, apparently. Coming up close to 24 hours and still no end in sight. Is it just me that thinks that by now, with all the warnings there have been, we could resaonably have expected there to be effective contingency planning in place for such an event ? And I don't mean stockpiling vouchers for free tea and coffee to hand out to stranded passengers.
So who do we think might be hind all of this:
1. A couple of spotty teenagers "having a laugh". 2. Htw 3rd runway supports, who want to demonstrate how vulnerable Gatwick is 3. Htw 3rd runway protesters, who want to demonstrate how futile it would e
4. IS doing a dry run for a future attack 5. Aggrieved Ryannair pilots and or cabin crew 6. Aggrieved Ryannair customers 7. Labour party accolytes who want to embarrass the government 8. Representatives of Pilots and/or ATC who want demonstate a point 9. The EU 10 Someone who just wanted the papers to talk about something other than Brexit
I might turn this into a poll....
... 11. Putin (Russian president is the most popular scapegoat these days).
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travolta
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Post by travolta on Dec 20, 2018 18:34:34 GMT
Why Gatwick? Yeah , def Putin, I reckon its Spetsnaz looking to kidnap Princess Ann.
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Post by bracknellboy on Dec 20, 2018 18:40:12 GMT
Yes I had meant to include Putin, but forgot. Poll changed and rerun - just in case we get a different answer.
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Post by Badly Drawn Stickman on Dec 20, 2018 18:47:00 GMT
Yes I had meant to include Putin, but forgot. Poll changed and rerun - just in case we get a different answer. Don't ignore the possibility of Aliens, small fast flying craft appearing and disappearing. Got Aliens written all over it.
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Post by mrclondon on Dec 20, 2018 18:47:35 GMT
You've misssed maybe the most obvious one off the poll - Russia. This smacks a bit too much of the NHS ransomware attack last year. The drone is being described as "large" "commercial" and some commentary on the implications of those words - "costing thousands of pounds" "capable of being operated from many miles away from the airport (though possibly with local support for battery changes in random local places).
Nothing in any of the reports suggests it a "£50 toy"
(Edit: Ah you've changed the poll  )
Just hope they don't get bored of Gatwick and move to Heathrow ....
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cb25
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Post by cb25 on Dec 20, 2018 18:52:39 GMT
14. Climate change protestors
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Post by bracknellboy on Dec 20, 2018 19:39:30 GMT
Yes I had meant to include Putin, but forgot. Poll changed and rerun - just in case we get a different answer. Don't ignore the possibility of Aliens, small fast flying craft appearing and disappearing. Got Aliens written all over it. Is that Aliens, Alien, Alien 3, or Alien: Ressurection ? Or just plain old boring uncapitalised aliens ? EDIT: Ahh, now I get what you mean. “Got Aliens written all over it” = its an advertising stunt for the upcoming release of the remastered UHD and VR version of the second film. Its obvious now.
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Post by bracknellboy on Dec 20, 2018 19:43:47 GMT
Probably Putin: either in retaliation for the retaliation to Salisbury, and because he can, and hell its a bit less controversial than aerial spraying of the airport with Novichok. Hell, maybe that was what was intended, and the reason it’s going on so long is that there has been a hiccup with “payload delivery system”.
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Post by Badly Drawn Stickman on Dec 20, 2018 19:45:34 GMT
Don't ignore the possibility of Aliens, small fast flying craft appearing and disappearing. Got Aliens written all over it. Is that Aliens, Alien, Alien 3, or Alien: Ressurection ? Or just plain old boring uncapitalised aliens ? I was hoping to avoid using technical terms so as not to confuse people less familiar with the subject than myself, however you have rather forced my hand. Little green men type aliens.
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jo
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Post by jo on Dec 20, 2018 19:56:38 GMT
I read (probably bs) that 'retail' drones have a limiter preventing them from entering restricted areas. It can be overridden, but would require a certain level of skill. Anyone know?
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travolta
Member of DD Central
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Post by travolta on Dec 20, 2018 20:06:21 GMT
I read (probably bs) that 'retail' drones have a limiter preventing them from entering restricted areas. It can be overridden, but would require a certain level of skill. Anyone know? Yes. Just this minute talking to Kabul ,where drones a an incessant problem . They have what's called ' ghost buster' kits ,that kill the signal . This is why they have called in the army. Problem is: It doesn't work . Maybe because they are not dancing right www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVaPmGXEKPo
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