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NDTV
16-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
25 Years Before Air India Ahmedabad Plane Crash, A Concorde Takeoff That Changed Flying Forever
When the tailless swan began its ascent to the sky, people on the ground would routinely crane their necks to look up. It was a sight no one wanted to miss. The Concorde, an aviation and engineering marvel, was a vision like no other. The noise was deafening. The liftoffs were spectacular. The flames that shot out of the afterburners on its jet engines were eye-watering. Till one July afternoon, which grounded the metal swan for a while first, and then forever. The Crash Of Air France Flight 4590 It was 2.38 pm on July 25, 2000, and a Concorde had just taken off from Runway 26 of the Charles de Gaulle international airport in Paris. Air France Flight 4590 had been chartered by a German tour company for its clients, a group of well-heeled travellers who were to board a luxury cruise ship in New York. The ship, named the Deutschland, was to sail the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, to Ecuador over a period of 16 days. No one from that ill-fated Concorde made it to the cruise. In less than 90 seconds since it took off from Paris Charles de Gaulle, the airplane dived nose-down into a hotel, burst into flames, and ended up taking the lives of all of the 109 people onboard and 4 people on the ground. Four days after the crash of an Air India Dreamliner, AI 171, in Ahmedabad; today, the crash of Air France Flight 4590 feels like a chilling throwback. Both the planes took off and crashed in less than two minutes of takeoff. The scenes from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, are starkly similar to the scenes from outside Paris on July 25, 2000. What Happened To Flight 4590 Investigations into the crash of Flight 4590 helped condense the sequence of events on that July afternoon. A strip of metal fell off a Continental Airlines DC-10 when it was taking off from the same runway, Runway 26, five minutes before Flight 4590's takeoff The Concorde ran over the metal strip A tyre blew out A large fragment of rubber from the tyre struck a fuel tank on the underside of the wing The impact led to the tank rupturing from within The fully-fuelled tank of the Concorde ignited, most likely from an electrical arc in the landing gear wiring The resulting fire caused the engines of the Concorde to fail When the Concorde took off from Runway 26 of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, the pilot knew that he had an engine on fire. However, it was too late to abort takeoff. The plane had developed too much power by then to halt its takeoff. The exchanges between the control tower and the pilot of the ill-fated Concorde were terse, and over before anything could be ascertained. The pilot was told that the flames were spreading when he said that he was going to try turning towards Le Bourget airport, a minute's flight away from where the Concorde then was. That was not to happen. The plane banked and went into a stall, plunged towards the ground and struck a wooden building, exploded in a ball of flames and killed all its 100 passengers, 9 crew members, and 4 people who were at hotel Hotelissimo. The Pride Of Europe That day in 2000 was the first time a Concorde had crashed in its near-25-year flying history. The state-of-the-art aircraft was a joint achievement by the French and the British and a matter of pride for both the countries. For Europe, it signalled that two countries could work together on an aviation project that was the envy of the world. The Concorde was a symbol of France's high-tech performance too. It was the most ambitious supersonic airliner ever developed. It could reach speeds that were a little more than Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound. So, imaginably, the sonic boom was unimaginable. Such was the noise of a Concorde in the air, that it could do only trans-oceanic flights. The noise restricted the Concorde to flights, largely, over the Atlantic. The initial consortium saw interest from buyers all over the world. The market prediction was 350 and the initial orders went up to 100. Air India too had initially ordered two Concordes in a non-binding option, which were cancelled eleven years later. The development costs shot through the sky and the concept of supersonic travel, while brilliant as an idea, turned out to be a disaster commercially. A Guzzler In The Sky By the time the Concorde began commercial flights, there were only two airlines interested in flying it: Air France and British Airways, the national carriers of the countries whose project it was. Only a total of 20 aircraft were ever made, out of which, 14 took flight commercially; seven each for Air France and British Airways. It was a vanity project that kept the airlines from grounding the Concorde even though the aircraft never really became a financial hit. It ended up being the transport choice for the ultra-rich, from names in business to show-business, who made it their business to tote around transatlantic travel in under four hours. For a regular commercial jet back then, the journey across the Atlantic took seven to eight hours and supersonic travel came at a price. At the turn of the century, a round trip on the Concorde would cost US$11,000. The Grounding Of The Swan The crash of Flight 4590 came accompanied with shock. It became the turning point for the Concorde because when it went down, the plane took with it some of France's prestige too. Air France grounded its fleet of seven Concordes right after the crash. British Airways followed suit the following month. The aircraft temporarily resumed service but in the post-9/11 world, with flying in general becoming a bit of a necessity more than luxury, the Concorde saw fewer and fewer travellers willing to shell out astronomical prices for a ticket. The Concorde was finally retired in 2003. A Wistful Memory Today, 18 of the 20 Concordes ever built are in museums; one was scrapped, and another was Flight 4950. The aviation landscape is different today. Crashes are still not all a thing of the past, even though technology has made leaps in the way commercial jetliners take off and land. Since 2003, every few years there are reports here and there about prototypes recreating the marvel that was the Concorde. For now, the swashbuckling swan remains on the ground; and serious supersonic travel, a wistful memory.
Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
From Rabbi to Global Investor: 'Living Dangerously' Explores the Journey from Spiritual Collapse to Soulful Success
What begins as a quest for riches becomes a raw, redemptive journey through failure, faith, and the fight to live with soul. 'Moving and instructive… a story of growth, spirituality, and family.'— Mario Lopez, Host, Extra and Access Hollywood SUFFERN, NY, UNITED STATES, June 13, 2025 / / -- In a world obsessed with material success, 'Living Dangerously' by Irwin Katsof delivers a refreshing and deeply personal message: it's possible to build a meaningful life without losing your soul. This powerful new memoir has already caught the attention of Hollywood. Part memoir, part spiritual roadmap, Living Dangerously chronicles Katsof's remarkable journey—from rabbinic leader and faith-based activist to international businessman and trauma healing facilitator. Whether he's organizing a global satellite broadcast to support Soviet Jewry, co-leading trade missions across the world, or tremoring through a daily trauma release ritual in Jerusalem, Katsof's life is anything but ordinary. In 'Living Dangerously', readers will travel from the Old City of Jerusalem to the boardrooms of New York, from the Republic of Georgia to the hills of Monsey, all while following one man's quest to live with integrity, purpose, and divine connection. Along the way, Katsof reveals the practices that helped him confront early wounds, shed false personas, and reconnect with the core of who he is. With endorsements from leaders across media, business, and spirituality, 'Living Dangerously' is already being praised as 'a compelling memoir... a master storyteller's art' (Gregory Brenneman, Former CEO, Continental Airlines) and 'Moving and instructive… a story of growth, spirituality, and family.' (Omar Epps, Actor, House MD and ER). 'Living Dangerously' officially launches on Father's Day in eBook and paperback formats. The audiobook edition, narrated by the author, will follow shortly. The book is published by Beverly House Press, a boutique publisher that partners with thought leaders and changemakers to bring impactful nonfiction to life. About the Author Irwin Katsof is the founder of and a former rabbi, entrepreneur, and trauma healing facilitator. He has organized U.S. government-certified trade missions in over 20 countries, co-authored a bestselling book with Larry King, and guided thousands of business and spiritual leaders on the journey toward a more aligned life. He lives between Jerusalem and Rockland County with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Find out more at Yael Maoz Beverly House Press email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Business Insider
11-06-2025
- Business Insider
I've been a United Airlines flight attendant for 31 years. It's a demanding job and it's about time we get the raises we deserve.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jodye Beard-Brown, a 58-year-old United Airlines flight attendant in Houston. It has been edited for length and clarity. In 1994, I had just returned to Houston after living and modeling in France. I missed my family and wasn't sure what I wanted to do next. I just knew that I loved traveling. I heard that Continental Airlines (which merged with United Airlines in 2012) was hiring, so I submitted my résumé. I conducted a series of interviews and was subsequently hired and sent to do six weeks of training. When I got married, my husband was in the Navy, and the job was terrific because I could move and not have to start over. It's been a great career. You would think I'm very senior, but I'm not I'm in my 31st year, which is amazing, but there are flight attendants who've been here for 50 years. It's easy to stay around. You can choose how much or how little you want to fly. There's also the travel perk, which is why most of us got into the industry to begin with. Another bonus is the flexibility. You can trade trips with other flight attendants and fly more or less as needed. Seniority determines everything from bidding for flight destinations to vacation time, to whether you take the first break on shift. I still can't fly to the most desirable European cities, such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, or Sydney and Narita, because I'm not senior enough. I fly to São Paulo this month Those flights depart in the evening, which is convenient. I have my regular day, and then I head to the airport and check in at the gate around 6:30 p.m. That flight is about nine hours. We serve dinner, and then people settle in to rest. We serve breakfast before arrival. São Paulo is only a two-to-three-hour time change for me. In contrast, Paris — one of my favorite places in the world — is a seven-hour time change on a 24-hour layover. I have to hit the ground running to experience the city. I also work on domestic flights, which is one of the perks of my job. I can fly domestic, international, or both in the same month. Each month, around the 15th, we bid a line, or request a certain schedule, for the following month. The job may seem glamorous, but it's incredibly physical By the time you're on the airplane, you might've walked a mile already. Physically, we need to be able to push a 70- to 80-pound bar cart up the aisle. I've had many friends who've been hurt while lifting luggage into the overhead compartment; this can easily happen. If you have young kids, being away from home can be tough. Having a solid support system helps. You might miss events or holidays, especially early on when you're not senior enough to get Christmas off. If you live alone, having a pet can be tricky, but you make the best of it. It's all part of the journey. Times have changed since when I started People were much more polite back then — now we're seeing more physical altercations on airplanes. I especially noticed that shift after the pandemic. Where we previously enforced safety with seat belts and recently with face masks, it can feel like you're policing people — or like they feel threatened by you — when you're simply asking them to follow the airline's rules. My motto has always been to kill them with kindness. It's always a lot easier if you respond with a smile. Our union recently reached a tentative deal for a new contract I've only seen highlights of the contract and haven't seen the entire contract yet. If the contract were signed, voted on, and passed, this would be my first raise. However, it's not just the raise. We also want to get the work rules right, like how long we can work without sleep, etc. We deserve that. As for pay, I'm at my top out, which is $67 an hour, compared to American Airlines, which is at $82. Most major airlines have renewed their contracts within the last year or two. We're in our fourth year without a contract, so it's about time. Half pay during boarding is much better than no pay, so there's that. I'd recommend this job to anyone who enjoys being part of a team and thrives on working with people My advice to those starting out is to see this job not just as a paycheck, but as a chance to explore every layover destination. Everyone gets tired, but it still surprises me how many people don't take advantage of the biggest perk of this job. If you're a people person who loves a change of scenery, this role is a great fit. While the job itself is consistent, your crew and the passengers you serve are always changing. I don't have retirement plans at the moment. I've told friends that I need a code word because I'll keep working as long as I can. I'll only stop if I can't pick up bags or if I forget where things go. I'm also an artist and love to use traveling as inspiration. There are still so many places on my bucket list.
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Passenger's dynamite causes midair explosion on plane that departed O'Hare
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 22, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1849: Abraham Lincoln of Springfield received Patent No. 6469, which was a device for 'buoying vessels over shoals.' Though the item was not manufactured, Lincoln is still the only United States president to hold a patent. 1855: A tornado — widely regarded to be the first documented to occur within the present-day city limits of Chicago — actually occurred in Des Plaines. According to the National Weather Service, confusion over the place name 'Jefferson' likely led to the location error for what the Tribune called a 'terrific tornado.' 1881: The Tribune printed the entire text — 15 pages without photos or illustrations — of the newly revised, plain-English version of the New Testament. 1962: Continental Airlines Flight 11, en route from Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri, crashed in Centerville, Iowa, after a bomb apparently brought onboard by a passenger exploded, killing all 45 occupants of the Boeing 707. Federal authorities determined passenger Thomas G. Doty, of Merriam, Kansas, had lit sticks of dynamite that he purchased at a hardware store inside a trash bin within the plane's lavatory, then returned to his seat. Doty, who was traveling with another woman who wasn't his pregnant wife, was described by investigators as an 'unsuccessful salesman, a drifter, and a playboy who had affairs with other women.' He had filed for bankruptcy, was facing an armed robbery charge, checked out books about explosives from a library and had taken out life and travel insurance policies totaling $300,000 just prior to the flight. 1969: Despite a 14-hour mediation attempt by Mayor Richard J. Daley, Chicago Public Schools teachers went on strike — for the first time in the city's history. There was a belief, however, the strike would be brief. (It lasted two days.) 102 days on strike: Take a look back at Chicago's 11 teacher strikes since 1969The major provisions of the contract were: 1.) No layoffs of teachers or other personnel in September 1969; 2.) No cutbacks in summer school programs; 3.) No decreases in educational programming; 4.) Implementation of all items agreed to previously; 5.) Certification for full-time basis substitute teachers with three years of satisfactory service; 6.) No agreement on other salary adjustments; and 7.) Salary increases of $100 per month for teachers and 7.5% for civil service workers effective in September 1969. Among the teachers' demands were better support from the Illinois Board of Education to obtain state funds, as well as smaller class sizes and no staffing cuts. 2003: Regenstein African Journey opened at Lincoln Park Zoo. Constructed in the space formerly known as the large mammal habitat, the space made visitors feel they were immersed in the animals' habitats. Gone were railings and extra spacing that separated human from beast. By stepping into a curved glass exhibit lit by a dim, red light, zoogoers experienced nocturnal behavior of Madagascar hissing cockroaches and heard their hiss from speakers nearby. Howie, a pygmy hippo, could be seen through a sheet of glass as he bounded underwater in slow motion. And, the outdoor exhibits allowed African wild dogs to chase each other in the absence of concrete pens. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Johnny Carson hosts his final episode of the ‘Tonight Show'
Today is Thursday, May 22, the 142nd day of 2025. There are 223 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 22, 1992, after a reign lasting nearly 30 years, Johnny Carson hosted his final episode of NBC's 'Tonight Show.' (Jay Leno took over as host three days later.) Also on this date: In 1939, the foreign ministers of Germany and Italy, Joachim von Ribbentrop and Galeazzo Ciano, signed a 'Pact of Steel' committing their two countries to a military and political alliance. In 1960, the strongest earthquake recorded struck southern Chile. The magnitude 9.5 quake claimed 1,655 lives, left 2 million homeless and triggered a tsunami responsible for over 230 additional deaths in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines. In 1962, Continental Airlines Flight 11, en route from Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri, crashed near Unionville, Missouri, after a passenger ignited dynamite on board the plane, killing all 45 occupants of the Boeing 707. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson, speaking at the University of Michigan, outlined the goals of his 'Great Society,' saying that it 'rests on abundance and liberty for all' and 'demands an end to poverty and racial injustice.' In 1969, the lunar module of Apollo 10, with Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene Cernan aboard, flew within nine miles of the moon's surface in a 'dress rehearsal' for the first lunar landing. In 1985, U.S. sailor Michael L. Walker was arrested aboard the aircraft carrier Nimitz, two days after his father, John A. Walker Jr., was apprehended by the FBI; both were later convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. (Michael Walker served 15 years in prison and was released in 2000; John Walker Jr. died in prison in 2014.) In 2011, a massive EF5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, with winds up to 250 mph, killing at least 159 people and destroying about 8,000 homes and businesses. In 2017, a suicide bomber set off an improvised explosive device that killed 22 people and injured over 1,000 following an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. Today's Birthdays: Actor-filmmaker Richard Benjamin is 87. Songwriter Bernie Taupin is 75. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is 68. Singer Morrissey is 66. Singer Johnny Gill (New Edition) is 59. Actor Brooke Smith is 58. Model Naomi Campbell is 55. Actor Sean Gunn is 51. Actor Ginnifer Goodwin is 47. Actor Maggie Q is 46. Olympic speed skating gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno is 43. Tennis player Novak Djokovic is 38. Actor Peyton Elizabeth Lee is 21.
