The Dave Ross Show

DAVE ROSS COMMENTARY FRIDAY 20080116

Those of us who fly on a regular basis have many uncomfortable questions floating around in our heads as we pretend to ignore the safety lecture.

But we suppress them because we know that strapping yourself in a metal tube to go hurtling through the atmosphere at 500 miles an hour surrounded by jet fuel is an inherently insane idea.

And -- we have a suspicion that despite all the options they give you, what would actually happen in the unlikely event of a water landing is that you die.

But now we have some answers:

Will this plane REALLY glide with both engines out? Yes.

Can a plane actually land in the water without breaking apart? Yes.

Will a fully loaded plane actually float? Yes.

Is it possible to send a text message under pressure? Yes -- one woman managed to message her husband -- "My plane is crashing."

Is there really a reason to have able-bodied people in the exit row? Yes.

Can you really evacuate a plane in 90 seconds? Yes.

Will the life vests really inflate when you pull firmly on the cord? Yes.

Can the wing really hold you when you step on it? Yes.

Can a pilot like Chesley B. Sullenberger III ever be replaced by a computer? No!

Is there any city more prepared for an emergency than New York City? I doubt it -- talk about a winning team -- the name of the first ferry captain at the scene was Vincent Lombardi!

And I guess the biggest question of all:

Do prayers get answered? Let's see: the plane missed the George Washington Bridge by 900 feet, it stayed intact, it didn't sink, the boats were right there, and nobody died.

What do you think?