Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

twitter.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 110 posts

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#11

Post by app4soft »

SideburnsOfDoom wrote: post #7

Others on twitter have pointed out: the pilot's job is to follow instructions from ATC. e.g. https://twitter.com/DavideLeDingue/status/139653511684805837... The blame of this debacle does not lie with RyanAir, notwithstanding the way that their press release reads like "then Mrs Lincoln was slightly delayed at the theatre." https://twitter.com/jen20/status/1396661846187335680

> the pilot's job is to follow instructions from ATC

... until pirates entered to cabin:

> What we know so far: KGB operatives boarded the plane in Athens this morning together with Roman Protasevich (he noticed dodgy-looking ppl taking pics of him at the gate). Then when the plane has entered Belarus airspace KGB officers initiated a fight with the Ryanair crew (1/2)[0]

> insisting there’s an IED onboard. Eventually the crew was forced to send out SOS (literally moments before the plane would've left Belarus airspace). MiG-29 took off and escorted it to Minsk. Security services entered the plane and arrested Protasevich¹. (2/2)[1]

¹ Later yesterday press published info that not only Protasevich was arrested, but also his girlfriend which was also on that plane.

[0] https://twitter.com/TadeuszGiczan/status/1396446650718117890

[1] https://twitter.com/TadeuszGiczan/status/1396446652349784068

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#12

Post by 8draco8 »

iso1631 wrote: post #2

Course not, that would annoy Belarus, which might lead to Ryanair losing profit

Well two MiG-29 was actually "escorting" the plane to Minsk and there was KGB agents on board. I don't think crew had much to say. This was pure aircraft hijacking backed up by country (or two).

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#13

Post by 3327 »

BiteCode_dev wrote: post #10

I understand the anger against Ryanair aloofness and its dictatorship compliance, but I think it's diverting energy from the real culprits, which are the kidnappers and their boss.

Well, EU skies are no longer safe.

If a journalist can be picked up, anyone can be.

Ryann air is at fault, pilot really is - he could have kept his course. It would be a game of chicken and risky. So hard to say what is right wrong here.

Most importantly, its the fact that EU is weak and Belarus did the math and concluded they would get away with it. Simple As that.

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#14

Post by SideburnsOfDoom »

app4soft wrote: post #11
SideburnsOfDoom wrote: post #7

Others on twitter have pointed out: the pilot's job is to follow instructions from ATC. e.g. https://twitter.com/DavideLeDingue/status/139653511684805837... The blame of this debacle does not lie with RyanAir, notwithstanding the way that their press release reads like "then Mrs Lincoln was slightly delayed at the theatre." https://twitter.com/jen20/status/1396661846187335680

> the pilot's job is to follow instructions from ATC ... until pirates entered to cabin: > What we know so far: KGB operatives boarded the plane in Athens this morning together with Roman Protasevich (he noticed dodgy-looking ppl taking pics of him at the gate). Then when the plane has entered Belarus airspace KGB officers initiated a fight with the Ryanair crew (1/2) [0] > insisting there’s an IED onboard. Eventuall…

To be sure, you obey the person pointing a weapon at you, instead of ATC.

But it's moot; the pilots would likely not have known that these air pirates and Belarus ATC were acting in concert, unless the pirates wanted them to know that. Confusion and chaos are friends to criminals.

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#16

Post by app4soft »

8draco8 wrote: post #12
iso1631 wrote: post #2

Course not, that would annoy Belarus, which might lead to Ryanair losing profit

Well two MiG-29 was actually "escorting" the plane to Minsk and there was KGB agents on board. I don't think crew had much to say. This was pure aircraft hijacking backed up by country (or two).

> Well two MiG-29 was actually "escorting" the plane

Info about MiG's escort NOT verified — there are no any photos/videos at this moment which shows MiG-29 side-by-side with Ryanair's plane.

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#17

Post by wereHamster »

SideburnsOfDoom wrote: post #7

Others on twitter have pointed out: the pilot's job is to follow instructions from ATC. e.g. https://twitter.com/DavideLeDingue/status/139653511684805837... The blame of this debacle does not lie with RyanAir, notwithstanding the way that their press release reads like "then Mrs Lincoln was slightly delayed at the theatre." https://twitter.com/jen20/status/1396661846187335680

A pilot is absolutely in its right to ignore ATC if they think it's necessary for the safety of the passengers and/or aircraft. ATC is a service to pilots in the air, they provide support. The ultimate decision how to perform the flight lies with the captain.

If the aircraft was intercepted by fighters, that makes it more difficult to disobey ATCs orders. But if an ATC tells the aircraft to do X, the pilot can say «No, I'm not going to follow your instructions (because it would endanger the safety of the aircraft and/or passengers) and I'm going to do Y instead». It helps to convince the ATC of the situation if the pilot declares an emergency. Declaring an emergency is something that happens all the time, at most it means some paperwork for the pilot after they land.

Re: Ryanair’s statement on diversion to Minsk Airport

#18

Post by tluyben2 »

nasduia wrote: post #5

The main purpose of that statement (as always with Ryanair) was to state it was outside of their control and therefore they will auto-reject any claims for delay compensation, regardless of legality.

I do not know why anyone uses them still. I find them awful in every way. Will stay-cation if I cannot afford the ticket with another airline.
Post reply on HN