The media has allocated a lot of time and space to ensure that Australians - and the world - are aware that Qantas's standards are "plunging earthwards" ("Dozens injured as Qantas jet plunges", October 8).
The plight of Perth-bound flight 72 only added fuel to a firey attack on Qantas as the (supposedly) "safest airline" in the world following the oxygen explosion, door failure and hydraulic fluid leak earlier this year.
While these emergencies are traumatic and passengers have been injured, I think it is dangerous to overlook the high standard in how they were dealt with. Our Qantas pilots landed each of those planes with no loss of life. Many other international airlines have not been so lucky under similar circumstances. Overcoming problems under this pressure is a testament to the high standard of Qantas personnel.
There is a risk, small but real, in air travel, just as there is in car, train, space and moped travel. But if I was on a plane that hit trouble, I'd want a Qantas pilot behind the stick.
Let's not forget the reasons why plane maintenance has had to be outsourced: Qantas, like all of us, has had to deal with the economic problems and has done what is necessary to ensure that we can still fly on our own airline at a reasonable cost.
The media are predators and now they have a taste for Qantas blood. But - for now - I'm not turning my back on this airline.