The Plane Truth: Airline Crashes, the Media, and Transportation Policy

by David M. Primo and Roger W. Cobb

Book Overview

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Flying is an extremely safe way to travel. Fewer than 14,000 individuals perished in U.S. airline disasters during the twentieth century. In contrast, nearly three times as many people lose their lives in automobile accidents every year. Yet plane crashes have a tremendous impact on public perceptions of air safety in the United States. When a crash occurs domestically, media coverage is immediate and continuous. Government teams rush to investigate,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0815771991
• ISBN13: 9780815771999
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Rlpg/Galleys
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Did You Pack Your Own Bags

I have never been able to explain why I am so interested in aircraft accidents. Whatever the reason, I have read a fair number of books describing both accidents and investigations and this is the first book I have ever come across that takes a look at the effect of high profile accidents on the rules around the airline industry. To be fair, this book does not pack the dramatic punch of a book that is covering just an accident. It does do a good job of looking at accidents and their effect on public policy. The findings of the authors were a bit surprising for me given that they show that most of what is done in the way of new regulations is reactionary and limited in effectiveness. I guess it should not be a surprise that politicians would gravitate to high profile events and then try to capture some votes via mindless grandstanding and marginally effect legislation. Overall I found the book interesting and somewhat eye opening. It paints a rather negative view of the FAA, which I had not seen is such a blunt fashion before. It is a bit dry in spots and the authors found it difficult to keep sections detailing government regulation moving at a good pace. If you are interested in the aircraft industry then I think you will find this book enjoyable.