Irni Mastura

You mean, freak storms and sudden gust of wind are getting more and more common in Malaysia, Cire? If yes, then yeah.. I agree. I think its not just here but other countries as well (I mean sudden, not the usual local weather report). Global climate is ever changing, more than subtly these days. Perhaps I was too perturbed and got paranoia chipped on my shoulder that night since it was past midnight, the area I was passing was mostly low ground and have palm oil trees left and right to block the cross wind, plus it's almost perpendicular to the flight path of landing aircraft towards 14L. Even all the flags (it was just after Merdeka Day) attached to the lamp posts towards Nilai all looked as if they're going to be torn apart at the middle from being too pressed against the pole showed how strong the wind was. If it happened at that stretch of road at Maju Expressway (MEX) with those orange cross wind indicators area then I might not even be as concerned! Thinking about it, I doubt we ever have any crosswind incidents (cross fingers not in future either). Should have not disregard our ATCs et al's competency in managing these air traffic flow, and if not, seasoned pilots at hand. Cheers all

Thanks Li Ren

Just curious, have we had any flight incidents due to strong crosswind before at KUL? Reason I asked was that earlier tonight around 12:30am while driving back from work from Cyberjaya to Nilai, I had my own share of crosswind moments, and it was quite concerning since I was driving at that stretch of road the past 3 years and this was my first time experiencing it. The force of wind was really stronger than usual, and after a few 'nudge' sideways while driving close to Kota Warisan, it made me wished that no flights were scheduled to land at that time (ok.. I was somewhat dramatically thought of ). Anyone knows which runway is in use currently?

Yikes... half an hour of "blind" silence for the pilots.. thank goodness they landed safe. 51% increase of errors within a year?? Well lucky the pilots of those 2 planes at National used all means to communicate with each other and with those on ground that they'd managed to reach out to, but I really hope that this incident's review by NTSB is not the first trigger that brought them attention to those alarming error increase - putting second controller during the graveyard shift now instead of way early on. I wonder what could be the number one most occurred errors by ATCs.. tiredness? Or lack of manpower?

Like Isaac and Raymund, I agree with SV Choong, insensitive comments are not what we need now *face palms*. Regardless the devastating impact the quake and tsunami had impacted Japan, as someone who is working as business continuity (aka emergency planning) coordinator, I myself felt humbled down to the ground on the way the situation was handled. We planners always have these understanding at the back on our heads, that even if our plans are so on the dot and convincing as a superbly calamity-proof on paper etc, all those will be judged on how people react during the real thing, how they work on the recovery process, how efficient they get back on track in the aftermath. (I doubt I'd be able to even live thru on a full scale site closure in real life situation.. but touch wood it never happen!) With regards to MAHB screening incoming passengers on direct flights from Japan for radioactive contamination, I'd rather them specify why the need for them to do this? The way it was reported sounds like they being inconspicuous and treating potential contaminated persons as contagious (well.. are radioactive contaminated persons contagious in the first place? Sorry am not sure on this). Air China seems to have their priority in order... I think we'd be in better light to state that these are for the sake of the passengers instead, as comfort offering to them. With the headlines we've been making, well.. at least that what we can do now.. Plus the Fukushima nuclear unit plant no. 1 has already been under control.. more up to date info on the nuclear from IAEA (UN's Nuclear Agency) site updates: http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

[OT] It's been a while, yes In short, I've moved to new place, lacking speedy (and uninterrupted!) internet connections, got more responsibilities at work, got intimidated with the intelligent posts in MW when I did get online, got more work, built new team, and so on..[/OT] Re the stats, do they ever made any information public on total number of workforce, say airports with the most staff? It'd be interesting to gauge how efficient they run the busiest airports against number of staff.

As long as its lovely and professional looking to complement the cabin crew's visual as friendly and quality service providers and effective enough not to become a hindrance for them when they become security personnels onboard the flights during emergency situations, then to me all is good.

It's always interesting to read up on stats, especially when it comes with key highlights and summaries! Thanks MAR for the updates and assessments.

I hope that the earth has calms down enough now for the recovery to happen without further concerns.. may those yet to be saved, saved, and those that's gone to be in peace. Here's more photos from http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/. Quotes taken from the site. 10. Cars and airplanes swept by a tsunami are pictured among debris at Sendai Airport, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo. (REUTERS/KYODO) 21. A fire burns at a passenger terminal at Sendai Airport after the airport was swamped by a tsunami in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. (REUTERS/KYODO) 28. Sendai Airport is flooded after a tsunami following an earthquake in Sendai, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. (REUTERS/KYODO)

In some business continuity planning, especially for critical processes, 2 weeks of recovery plan can be considered too long. Most logical of 2 weeks operational recovery would be based on emergency service level e.g. they can be operational on 30% of the normal capacity basis.

Uncle Norman, your first post with the shots of the Taikos, looks like an interview with the underworld lords where photos of faces are obscured or taken from behind. Looking forward for more!

Any news? I did a quick check and seems like no confirmed crashed yet... 21mins ago.. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8...1902151,00.html Article : What Might Have Made the Air France Flight Disappear Over the Atlantic?

Gorgeous gorgeous shots, Uncle Norman! Wooot!

Hm... reading those many comments in the farewell note from those avid blog fans who were, or perhaps, still, devastated for the closed blog, made me feel like I missed out some great read. Ah well, even for that short while YH managed to inspire many, so kudos to him. But blogs are not the only source of aspirations for flying enthusiasts *winks* We still have MW! Hehe. Here's wishing he'll join us here and continue sharing his experiences with us (in whatever ways he can, or allowed to.. )

Oh wow love the face off pic, the lamb looks "aggresive"