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More Tales Of The Rich And Famous

Feb 28, 2014
by Caroline Miller
"Unfriendly Skies" pilot plush, money without brains, Peter Greenberg, Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
2 Comments

“The very rich are different from you and me.”  This quote from Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby I’ve used before, yet always find it revealing when I do. (Blog 4/19/13) This time it came to me after reading, “Unfriendly Skies,” by Peter Greenberg in February’s Town&Country. (pgs. 126-129 & 151) The article gives an account of how jetsetters travel from one exotic destination to another, taking risks that would make a bald man’s hair curl. Having money seems to make some people believe they’re exempt, not only from the laws of man but also from those of nature. As one pilot mused, “People forget that having money and power does not guarantee you a safe-landing.” (Ibid. pg. 128)

 Take, for example, the tragic crash of a twin-engine Gulfstream III that missed the runway near Aspen, Colorado, killing18 people. The follow-up investigation concluded the pilot erred. He was distracted by the multi-millionaire who chartered the flight and insisted upon sitting in the cockpit though it was against aeronautical rules. Unfortunately, the pilot relented and the millionaire got a first class view of the final moments of his life. (Ibid pg. 128) In another case, an impatient customer overruled the aviator’s suggestion that they divert the plane’s landing to an alternate airport to avoid dangerous weather conditions. His haste cost him his life and that of the crew. Another celebrity made a last minute decision to add three passengers to his flight. The pilot objected. Extra passengers would make the plane too heavy, he warned. The celebrity refused to listen and the trip ended in another disaster. (Ibid. pg. 152.)

 Because many getaways for the rich and famous are in remote areas where air strips are short, the region mountainous, or where the weather changes rapidly, there is a danger in landing at the best of times. Nonetheless, too many self-important people push pilots to take risks. An aviator can ignore those demands, of course, but fearing the loss of future business, some do their best to comply.

Ordinary folks haven’t the clout to override a pilot’s judgment so their common sense is never tested. But the very rich are different from you and me. As one pilot said when he refused to honor a patron’s demand: “Just because you have money doesn’t mean you have brains.” (Ibid. pg. 152)

wingwalker

 

 

 

 

 

(Courtesy of www.flickr.com)

 

 

 

 

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2 Comments
  1. Jacqueline Lydston February 28, 2014 at 3:27 pm Reply
    Hello, Caroline, I am delighted to see your blog here. You may remember me as one half of the Kueppers, David and Jacqueline, who rented the downstsirs of ....in the early 1990s. I've always wanted to tell you how delightful it was to live so close to you and your lovely mother in that sweet neighborhood (well, except for the man who sunned his huge snake on the sidewalk a couple of blocks away...). You and your mother were gracious and caring neighbors to me as I suffered through the end of The Marriage From Hell. You were supportive, discreet, and just plain neighborly. I loved that little home and now wish I could be back sometimes enjoying the home, the yard, the neighborhood. Dave and I have been divorced since shortly after we moved out. I've been married to a psychologist, John Garwood, since July of 1995. We have a son, Thomas, who is a sophomore... Life is good and as I look back -- and approach 50 -- I think back to when it was not so good and the folks who stood out as kind supporters. Thank you, Jacqueline Lydston, MSW
    • Caroline Miller February 28, 2014 at 4:42 pm Reply
      Of course I remember you and how lovely to learn after all these years that life ended happily for you. Mother is 98 and lives in assisted living now. So happy that you found the blog. Amazaing that you stumbled upon it and hope you will drop by again. You can also find me on Facebook. Congratulations on your son, who was born and grew up without the pleasure of my knowing him. But I am so happy you dropped in and that your life has taken such a turn for the better. You deserved that.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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