The leaked revelations of the investigative report on the Mangalore air disaster has turned the whole investigation process towards a new direction (Anger of air crash families, November 18).
While the report blames the pilot's carelessness for the tragic incident, it questions the whole system in place. If the incident was the result of error on the part of the pilot, it seems the very basic elements of safety awareness were not in evidence during the entire episode.
The authorities must be blamed for such a mishap if the pilot wasnot provided with an adequate break prior to assuming duty, as was reported. If there is proven to be a clear breach of the airline's safety guidelines, the accountability lies with the airline's management. It further points to the effective internal safety procedures that all the airlines should follow, but the incident strengthened the belief that this airline failed to pay adequate care and attention to the safety of its passengers.
In the context of the latest revelations of the report, there should be a serious investigation carried out with proper corrective measures to avert similar incidents happening in the future.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
A Double D'oh Award for Fifa bid
The D'oh Award is inspired by everybody's cartoon hero, Homer Simpson, for stating the obvious. Formerly known as the Naked Emperor Award, it was recently brought up to date to remain relevant to younger people.
This award however is a rare Double D'oh. The first goes to Chuck Culpepper, the writer of the article Heat cools Fifa's decision on Oatar's World Cup bid (November 18), for stating the obvious: "That summer in Qatar was likely to be hot".
The second is to Qatar. Did you ever think for a moment that Fifa would take your bid seriously? Of course we will take your bidding fee, thank you very much.
Mohamed Kanoo, Dubai
Death prevention trumps privacy
In his letter to the editor One step towards Big Brother (November 16), Ash Aita criticised new invasive technological devices to monitor speeding drivers as detailed in the article The speed trap you can't evade (November 14). In response, I have to say that since Mr Aita is not a traffic engineer, I am not sure how he knows that these devices have been there for ages. And I am also not sure about his comment that no country is considering the use of these devices.
I am also not sure what invasion of privacy he is referring to by monitoring speeds. He generalised that the act of monitoring speeds is an invasion of privacy. I have to say that drivers who fear that their speeds are to be monitored are those whom we want to prevent using our roads as they represent true threats.
Such a technology is there and is still developing, and as indicated in the news article, it is being tested in various countries. Mr Aita may be a pessimistic person and look only at the negative aspects, but we may need to find a balance between positive aspects and negative ones.
If speed monitoring devices will save the UAE more than 1,000 fatalities a year, and tens of thousands of injuries, not to mention the millions of dirhams in economic losses, I am for it.
Mr Aita may want to find another place to protect his privacy. We must simply consider what this society needs.
Ahmed Mostafa, Abu Dhabi
I refer to the article The speed trap you can't evade (November 16). In my humble opinion, the best method would be to educate responsible drivers.
Ever since I arrived here I have never seen a single graphic ad highlighting the possible tragic consequences of reckless driving. More awareness should be promoted to prevent this.
Sam Matthews, Dubai
A challenge for a property investor
In reference to the business article Dubai Holding given Dh2bn boost (November 14), I am an investor with DAMAC for three apartments in their Lakeside development that should have been completed next month, December 2010, and which now are estimated to be completed in the third quarter of 2013.
Three years late - that is, if DAMAC is to be believed.
The author quotes "the challenges are in the international investments". He is correct. I, for one, as an international investor, am very challenged.
Matthew Doherty, Dubai
Banks that are too big can also fail
The business article Banks must mind their own backyards (November 11) focused on the current financial situation where banks are merging and extending their reach. When everyone is talking about "too big to fail", we here are murmuring about consolidation. Synergies on the cost of big infrastructure write-offs is a tall order.
Muhammad S, Dubai
