31 January

Airline staff used to have a saying, ‘if it’s not Boeing, I’m not going’. That’s how trusted the brand was. Now quality control systems have been stripped away, after the merger with McDonnell Douglas. You won’t get me on these new 737s, or any newer Boeing aircraft, if I have a choice in it. Add to that the cut-throat nature of the airline business itself, with corners cut on maintenance and staffing, and I’m always glad when a plane touches down and I’m off, safe.