Friday, April 18, 2008

Fright Attendant

Here's The Lowdown - You're Too Low Down

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Okay, gentle readers, you can breathe easy. This is not a real plane crash. It's simply an example of good old Outback gallows humour. This mock "accident" is a well-known sight at the Ettamogah Pub, on the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne.


Ground control to Major Tom - you're grounded. Literally and metaphorically, that is. Looks like this plane needs a nose job. Hmmmm, let's take a closer look ....


He must have been coming in on a wing and a prayer - and obviously neither the wing nor the prayer was strong enough.


Here's what the scene in the control tower looks like. The sign down the bottom that is partially obscured by the foliage says: "Air safety is our concern - Crash somewhere else."

And if you're wondering about "Coolanhotta Air Control", it's a play on the Australian habit of running words into each other, so "Coolanhotta" is actually "cool and hotter". It's also a pun on the name of the Gold Coast airport, which is called Coolangatta.

Mate, if ya have to crash, there's no better place in the entire Outback to crash than next to a pub.

For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch Friday.

56 comments:

Sandi McBride said...

Okay, now if I were a pilot that is exactly the kind of Air Controllers I'd get...on purpose...because if I was flying it's a sure bet I'm already drunk, so a little light relief might reassure the passengers. Or not.
Sandi

Mom Knows Everything said...

Yet another reason why I don't like to fly. LOL

Anonymous said...

Ha! This is very funny! Love it all...

Kat said...

That is hilarious!

Anonymous said...

So........don't drink and fly huh?

Anonymous said...

Did those yobbos learn to spell in American public schools? Just askin' ...

Anonymous said...

Does this mean one shouldn´t drink while flying?
Or fly while drinking?
Well, who cares ... I'm going to get myself a cool and fresh FOSTERS and put David Bowie to play ... "ground control to Major Tom ..."

Tom said...

Nice one David... and I love humour like that.. I must get a picture for you of a pub around the corner from me.

Tom

Andrea said...

Funny post.

Craver Vii said...

"Crash somewhere else."

Indeed!

Unknown said...

This is very funny! LOL
Great post.

Snap Catch said...

nice catch! In the sky, there is no distinction of north and south, the people create distinctions out of their own minds.... mine's up too hope you can drop by.

Maggie May said...

Funny post but enough to put you off flying!

Stacey Olson said...

Great post, we see quite a few of these roadside attraction in the out of the way places in the US too. thanks for sharing

Cath said...

Now that is really good. Just my sort of twisted humour! And having popped in for moment before I go to bed, I bid you goodnight with a big grin on my face which has cheered me up no end!

Great shots. Great puns. I love the Aussie sense of humour! Thanks.

Sharon said...

I had to laugh! Love this post!

Quiet Paths said...

LOL! I really enjoyed this. Esp. the definition of 'coolanhotta'! thanks for the smiles. quietpaths.com

Tess Kincaid said...

Your blog is delightful! And thanks for stopping by my Manor. I am adding you to my favorites, hope you don't mind.

RiverPoet said...

Hilarious! "You're too flaming close, mate!"

Peace - D

Texas Travelers said...

Being a small plane pilot, this scared the crap out of me when I saw it. OK, I guess it is funny. This was a good choice for Sky Watch. It should be submitted to "Look out for the ground" Watch.

Fun post

Mine is up, Come and visit.

Lavinia said...

Wow, what an interesting blog you have here...I think the first Australian blog I've ever visited. Found my way here via Willow Manor blog...

Do all Australians have such a wicked sense of humour, as evidenced by the amusing post here?.

Very nice, and I'll be back.

G said...

Pub? I'm there.

Serious question: do you get Guinness down under? I'm not teasing... honest. I won't even mention Marmite.

dot said...

Very funny post! You always come up with something different.

Anonymous said...

Flying humour. Good shots.

Pernille said...

This is funny! Fantastic photos and a great post.

Lori said...

How cute! I love to fly and this won't deter me!

I've been crazy busy lately...hoping to get back to reading and writing more regularly...and I always enjoy visiting here.

Anonymous said...

My first thoughts were "oh no", till I saw the sign and the control tower!
LOL~

DeeMom said...

Totally Brilliant Post

dmarks said...

It's gotta be that crazy pilot from the "Mad Max" movies again.

The Birdlady said...

Well, that was fun!

Jules said...

I have to fly again next week - this makes me nervous even though it is a joke!!! We have the Etta pub on the Sunshine Coast in Qld - they are a laugh and a half!!!!


I have joined Sky Watch today and have posted my first one - it has taken a long time but am finally organised!!!!

Carletta said...

I'm leaving smiling!

Mega said...

Can I hire that pilot to fly me to Australia?

Juliana RW said...

oh..I thoght it is real plane crash :D Nice shot

Will you visit mine Thanks

FO - 2 said...

LOL!!! ;)))

Ida

Anonymous said...

Hey David, I could not agree more with your last line. The whole thing is quite funny.

Are you geeting the live telecast of the IPL. Whole of India is quite geared up to watch it. I have my beers in place as well.

Siddharth

Pappy said...

Great Aussie wit. Loved it.

Anne-Berit said...

That`s a releaf,I almost thought it was for real!

Daryl said...

Oh leave it to you to crash a pun into a sky watch photo ..

Dewdrop said...

What a hoot.

Mine is posted at www.dewdropweather.com.

Anita said...

Wow! Love this!! And your commentary is so clever, as always! Great SWF!!

bcmomtoo said...

This is so funny! Yep, might as well crash next to the pub, 'cause you're gonna need a drink.

Anonymous said...

Amazing image! Was fooled there, just for a sec!!

Crystal xx

highlander1463 said...

David,

Great post! As a pilot in training I try and read accident reports as a learning tool. My lesson here is the one about crashing near a pub. Thanks...

Love Australia (Melborne) by the way

Take care...P

Misty DawnS said...

You always get the most unique and creative shots. You've got a great eye for that.

That last sentence made me laugh out loud.

Kim said...

That is funny :) Thanks for the smile

Anonymous said...

LOVE THIS! As a frequent flyer this had me laughing out loud!! Thank you for brightening my day!

♥ Denise BC ♥ said...

Very good sky shot.

Denise BC

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

Now that's down right funny!

Suzi-k said...

hehe, this is a delightful skywatch post! Love the airtraffic controllers! Our son flies for the UN in a dusty war zone in North Africa, and the real thing is probably even more dodgy than this mock-up!!

Max-e said...

Nice one David. I must say that I rally enjoy Australian humour - it is often so wacky and over the top.

Dancin Fool said...

Excellent pictures David! I enjoyed your verses aswell!

Mima said...

What a madcap idea, you kind of wonder who had the idea to do this in the first place, its amazing that the local council let it go up, I don't think it would be allowed over here! Love the photos especially the air control tower.

Dottie said...

Never flown...probably never will. Great photos as always.

Anonymous said...

I was going to say: If you have to crash, crash into a pub, huh? After a crash, I might just start drinking myself!!

MY SWF is sort of buried because there has been this huge rush of life for spring here.

http://meeyauw-pad.blogspot.com/2008/04/sky-watch-friday-home.html

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