Thank you so much for the kind comments. I am really glad that people enjoyed the special. It is really gratifying to receive such comments. More rewarding then the big bucks... at least that is what I tell myself!!

Spaw, I am sort of in the middle of the debate on smoke hoods.   In producing the special I read quite a bit about them, and I also read the final report on the actual fire that took Stans life.

One good thing that came out of the fire is that Air Canada made strict regulations on the type of material that can be used in the plane.   Most of the toxins that actually took the lives that day came from foam insulation in the seating as well as other parts of the plane. Air Canada has mandated that non-flammable material be used as well as tightened controls on some of what materials are used in the construction of cabins.

My initial reaction was the same as yours - it seems like a no-brainer to install smoke hoods, the only factor is money.   However, in further reading I have not found any convincing arguements that smoke hoods have actually saved lives.   Many corporate jets have installed them, but I haven't found any cases where they worked.   I can understand that it might give a fall sense of security and actually blur vision.   Considering that smoke is already making the egress difficult, the task of putting a bag over your head and attempting to find the exit would add to the considerable stress and panic that is already taking place.   The few precious seconds that a person may have to escape could indeed be hindered - the gains that a smoke hood could provide may be negligable.   I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do think that the issue needs to be re-examined.

Again, my thanks to everyone who took the time to listen and share their comments. It is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Ron Olesko