Nine hurt on Westjet Flight from Turbulence

[Bertuzzied]

Flight from Calgary to Halifax.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...5564be&k=95915

Can't think of anything more frightening than major turbulence.
I experienced it once from Vancouver to Tokyo when i was 12. No one hit the ceilings like on that Westjet flight but everyone thought we were going down.

Everytime i get on a plane I always think thats its going to crash now.

[The Goon]

I also encountered "clear-air" turbulence over the Pacific while flying to Australia. Woke me up, and I remember thinking, "Geez, if I'm going to die surrounded by screaming tourists, at least let it happen on the way back, after I've had my vacation."

Very surprised to hear of such a sudden bout of turbulence over Ontario.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I also encountered "clear-air" turbulence over the Pacific while flying to Australia. Woke me up, and I remember thinking, "Geez, if I'm going to die surrounded by screaming tourists, at least let it happen on the way back, after I've had my vacation."

Very surprised to hear of such a sudden bout of turbulence over Ontario.

Were you on Oceanic airlines? hehe

Yeah it definitely feels like you are in a movie.

[ken0042]

This is why they say to always keep your seatbelt on while in flight.

What I do after take off is take off the belt, loosen it a bit, then put it back on. You really don't notice it with all the slack, but if the plane is about to dive you won't hit your head either.

We had that happen to us on a flight once. The plane started to shake, we all sort of braced ourselves, then the plane dropped. I was able to grab the stewardess' arm as she was headed to the ceiling, and the guy across the asle caught her as she was coming back towards the floor. She ended up with a sprained ankle from where her legs landed on the ceiling. We were told if we wanted any drinks they'd be free but "self service" at that point. We just ended up going back to our seats; nobody wanted to be standing in case it happened again.

[Frequitude]

I found great comfort in this article knowing that a plane can handle such stresses.

[JackJack]

Work with WJ and I asked a pilot one day what exactly happens when a plane encounters turbulence.

"Turbulence for a plane, is like a car driving on a gravel road"

Makes you feel alot better. However, once your in the air and being tossed around, nothing is reassuring.

[Deelow]

I am flying Westjet this aft. I know what I will be thinking about.
Awesome.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Deelow

I am flying Westjet this aft.

Be sure to turn to Discovery Channel at 3:00. That's when "Mayday" will be on. Really good show.

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by Deelow

I am flying Westjet this aft. I know what I will be thinking about.
Awesome.

Wear a helmet and freak out your fellow passengers!

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Be sure to turn to Discovery Channel at 3:00. That's when "Mayday" will be on. Really good show.

Funny. I saw that promo last night. I also just recently started watching the first season of Lost. If there was ever a time to have doubts about flying it would be now.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Deelow

Funny. I saw that promo last night. I also just recently started watching the first season of Lost. If there was ever a time to have doubts about flying it would be now.

Then I recommend you don't read Alive.

[BlackArcher101]

When aircraft are designed, they assume turbulence is expected since it's difficult to forecast. You would be surprised at how much a plane can take. However, to minimize risk, aircrafts have a specific max speed when the chance of turbulence is greater. The safety factors in the industry are quite large which is why you never hear of a plane crashing due to dropping 1200ft in seconds due to turbulence.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Then I recommend you don't read Alive.

That is one of the most depressing movies i have ever watched.

Hey don't they broadcast the Discovery Channel onboard Westjet flights? hehe

[Flashpoint]

Unless you are going to the bathroom (in which case you are funked), I see no reason to take off your seatbelt during flight. Minor turbulence happens all the time, and on the off chance you get hit with the big stuff it's nice to have.

[Bench Warmer]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Be sure to turn to Discovery Channel at 3:00. That's when "Mayday" will be on. Really good show.

It is a great show but I had to stop watching it. I was freaking myself out for the few times I fly a year by thinking of all those damn Mayday episodes I watched!

[STeeLy]

I loved watching Mayday... it is pretty good... they have a show on at night called Dogfights which is pretty cool too.

But I agree, they tell u to keep ur seatbelt on at all times because of turbulence... much like ken... I also loosen my seatbelt when I'm up in the air but never take it off unless I have to use the facilities (which is very rare, even on overseas flights that are 10+ hours).

Funny thing is though, when I flew on the 3rd of September, it was a smooth flight until we were over Souther Ontario where we experienced some pretty bad turbulence (not so strong that it threw people to the ceiling, but pretty strong)

[Jagger]

Like Ken says there's simply no reason to take your seatbelt off in flight. Seasoned travellers always fly with the seatbelt loosened in their lap. It just makes sense.

[Joborule]

I just had a plane rides back in forth from Calgary to Toronto, then on to Barbados (caribbean island) during summer. Had shaky turbulence but nothing major or scary (to me at least).

[McG]

i was flying into edmonton this afternoon and since i fly all the time i have come to leave the seat belt on...for me it is the same as driving with a shoulder belt on so its no biggie.

we had a big drop and there were some screams...it wasn't that big though but scary nonetheless. actually, i was glad i had a hold of my pda because i did feel it going up as the plane fell!

[The Bismarck]

I dont quite get Flights from Pearson to YYC. Why does it take 3 hours, 20 minutes from YYC to Pearson, yet nearly 5 hours from Pearson to YYC? I remember this summer, going to Toronto we had a top speed somewhere close to 600 MPH, but coming back, it hovered around 420 MPH...