Post: #1

I know flying is very safe in general and thousands of Russian flights land safely every day but Russia is the most dangerous country to fly. Partially because of shoddy safety standards and partially because their pilots can't stay sober.

Would you be willing to jump on an aeroflot flight, especially if it's on an old Tupolev or Antonov plane?

Post: #2

(12-02-2012 05:32 PM)canucktraveller Wrote:  I know flying is very safe in general and thousands of Russian flights land safely every day but Russia is the most dangerous country to fly. Partially because of shoddy safety standards and partially because their pilots can't stay sober.

Would you be willing to jump on an aeroflot flight, especially if it's on an old Tupolev or Antonov plane?

Yes, and I have.

Aeroflot and Transaero both have good safety records. S7 less so, but I'd still fly them. I've flown on some regional airlines as well, but those are obviously riskier.

Still much safer than driving around in a taxi in Russia, which often won't even have seat belts (and a single passenger sits in the front seat).

I once got a in a taxi in Moscow that was some kind of luxury car. I started to buckle up out of habit and the driver was insulted that I didn't trust his driving. He pointed to his seat belt, which had the clip buckled in, but the belt itself was cut cause he never used it. This was to stop the beeping for not having the driver's side belt in.

Post: #3

(12-02-2012 05:32 PM)canucktraveller Wrote:  I know flying is very safe in general and thousands of Russian flights land safely every day but Russia is the most dangerous country to fly. Partially because of shoddy safety standards and partially because their pilots can't stay sober.

Would you be willing to jump on an aeroflot flight, especially if it's on an old Tupolev or Antonov plane?

Bullshit, that's just typical 1st worlder fears.
Unless you are flying in a tiny 10 people flight with planes from IIWW you have nothing to fear.

Welcome to real life.

Post: #4

(12-02-2012 05:32 PM)canucktraveller Wrote:  Would you be willing to jump on an aeroflot flight, especially if it's on an old Tupolev or Antonov plane?

Yes.

I'd venture a guess that no matter where one travels, flying is probably safer than road or rail transportation. Even on an ancient Tupolev or Antonov.

Post: #5

I've flown aeroflot Moscow-Tokyo and Beijing-Moscow.

Landing in Tokyo was the worst I've ever experienced.

The plane fell from 100 meters straight down... loco ^^

Post: #6

Well I have flown Aeroflot a handful of times...and all cool....and I am absolutely petrified of flying !

Post: #7

(12-02-2012 06:48 PM)freshcream Wrote:  The plane fell from 100 meters straight down... loco ^^

I bet that was crazier than any roller coaster you've ever been on.

Speaking of transportation accidents in Russia, peep this SUV get obliterated:

Post: #8

Just make sure you're drunker than the pilot and you'll be fine.

Post: #9

While I second the bit about fear of flight not being reasonable even in such "backward" countries, I do have to refute the claim that rail transport is dangerous. Accounting for the number of passengers and miles traveler per injuries or deaths in accidents, it is the safest form of transport there is.

http://www.railwatch.org.uk/backtrack/rw94/rw094p06.pdf

Post: #10

(12-03-2012 02:59 PM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  While I second the bit about fear of flight not being reasonable even in such "backward" countries, I do have to refute the claim that rail transport is dangerous. Accounting for the number of passengers and miles traveler per injuries or deaths in accidents, it is the safest form of transport there is.

http://www.railwatch.org.uk/backtrack/rw94/rw094p06.pdf

My apologies for making an incorrect statement.



Just don't catch this train:

Post: #11

shiiit... that crash was crazy

Post: #12

I always avoided Aeroflot in spite of their low fares. My main concern was always comfort, not safety. When I had my first flight with them a couple months ago I was very pleasantly surprised. Staff is generally friendly if very inefficient and the planes are quite modern. I would say Aeroflot is much better than most Western European airlines and only slightly worse than some Asian carriers like ANA.

Will fly Aeroflot again. You should give them a shot!

Post: #13

Aeroflot has recently redesigned their brand and has refitted its fleet of airplanes. Aeroflot today is a great and safe airline (compared to Aeroflot 5 years ago)

Post: #14

Only Aeroflot. On the other ones I known of flights getting cancelled after the passengers fled the plane on-masse after hearing the pilot, he was smashed drunk.

No Aeroflot = Take Rail.

Post: #15

I don't think any American jet would be allowed to take off in weather like this. Just look at the sheer amound of water pouring over the wing and how hard the flaps are working to stabilize the plan after it lifts off. I don't know what airline this is but the notes say it was a dodgy Russian airline. Other than a newer model Aeroflot, hell no would I board a Russian aircraft.

Post: #16

Nice find, speakeasy. That looks like a terrifying takeoff.

I know the minimum for visual flight rules (1,000 ft. ceiling and one mile visibility during the day, two miles at night) but have no idea what it is for instrument flight rules. My understanding is that IFR minimums are much more lenient than VFR.