Originally Posted by FlyJSH

In a sick sort of way I am happy we have the blame-laying, Monday morning quarterbacks.



Why?



Because the large number of them show how safe flying has become.



I mean, I cannot imagine they can make categorical statements laying blame unless they had never had the dubious honor of cleaning out a fellow pilot's locker and turning the contents over to the next of kin.



Nor can I imagine they have been awakened two hours into rest by a call from an old buddy saying, "Are you okay?" only to be followed by, "You better turn on the television."



Nor have they experienced the morning after in a normally jovial crew room made silent by a crash 1000 miles away.



Nor have they experienced walking through the airport and having every other pilot nod their head recognition of your loss.



Not knowing these pilots or their families, any words I would say would be trite.



So to those impacted by the deaths of these pilots, I bow my head in silent, solemn recognition of your loss. I can only hope that you find peace.

Originally Posted by Blackhawk

First, there is a difference between "Monday morning quarterbacking" and speculating. "The definition of a Monday morning quarterback is someone who is always criticizing and saying how he would have done something better or differently after the event has passed." I haven't seen any of that in this thread, though I have seen speculation.
Second, speculating is something all of us are probably doing right now. "What the hell happened??" Especially a crash like this. Maybe it's just in our own heads. Maybe to each other. This was not a controlled flight into terrain. It does not appear to be weather-related. I can't remember an accident like this since USAir 427.
That's as far as I will go and I will hold off on any further public "speculation" until the NTSB comes out with something, but let's all relax. We all deal with the shock in our own ways.
And yeah, I have cleared out lockers. The first one from my flight class was killed less than a year after graduation when his aircraft pitched over and dove into the jungles of Honduras. I think 10 from my class of 60 were killed in accidents or combat. If you don't want people speculating what happened if you are killed, you're in the wrong line of work. Heck, if something happens to me don't worry about speculating. I'm sure I won't care.
My heart breaks for the families. I hope they find solace and peace.

Originally Posted by Bidderswede

It hurts me to even having to post this, but I will anyway..
There are posts on "Go Fund me" right now that seem suspicious to me.
If I'm wrong, I apologize.
I would be happy to help out financially to these families enduring this terrible accident, but there are people out there trying to turn this tragedy into their own gain..
So.. all I'm saying is, make sure you are giving your $ to the ones that needs it at this time.
To me, it looks a little weird to start asking for donations this early.. but that's me.
Do your own research, and donate away.
Just my 2 cents....

Originally Posted by TexBubba

R.I.P. and tailwinds to this crew and their families. Very tragic. Condolences from the entire Spirit family. I was wondering if anyone, particularly Atlas 767 guys has any info or theories regarding the type of cargo, pallets, tie-downs breaking loose, cargo shift, etc. Similar perhaps to the National Baghram National 747, maybe? Obviously a foward shift maybe? Just such a bazar incident since no radio distress, etc. Again just curious and I hope the NTSB figures this out quick to improve safety for all ACMI and Cargo operators further.

Originally Posted by No Land 3

I know it is in our nature to want to know answers and try to figure things out, but it is the respectful thing to do for the families and friends of the deceased to not speculate and await official information and data.