Hmm.

You’re correct that there are pockets of non-integrated immigrants in every city in Europe, some larger than others but, like any complex issue, you can’t just say immigrants=ghetto without looking at why this happens, social attitudes, geographical location etc. You’re over-simplifying dramatically.

Very.

I love this.

Nearly all of these incidents are error chains which can be broken with the right approach. Something as simple as mis-tuning a radio can lead to unexpected outcomes but, if we’re honest, a lot of them are ‘there but for the grace of God’ for all of us.

Whilst we do have to pay tribute to BMW’s optimism, or perhaps their ability to persevere with boundless idiocy, I’m not sure I would describe an X6 as a ‘swiss army knife’, a term that is synonymous with competence across a broad spectrum of requirements.

I own one of the most ridiculous GTs of them all, so I can’t fault you. Stand your ground. If you absolutely need a sedan with coupe headroom and M3 off-roading capability, with the usable ride heght of a Suzuku Samurai for only $100k, I’m not going to stop you.

Your awesomely cheap SUV has nothing to do with the 2-series, 7-series, or 9-series of classic Volvo estates.

The turbo versions weren’t bad for the era, granted. Not until the 850 (I still own the 1996 T5 I bought new) did they get properly quick but I think if I was looking for a low maintenance, does-it-all-classic, I’d do away with anything with a turbo.

Mmm.. I think this incident proves you have to be on top of your radio discipline as much in Europe as you do in the USA.

Interestingly I have no idea and I fly for an Asian carrier. Intercept signals are well established but should the crew not respond to any of them? No idea.

A Volvo 2xx, 7xx or 9xx is the answer to all automotive problems other than ‘going fast’ or ‘I hope I the steering column doesn’t impale me in the event I get hit by a lifted truck’...

Yes, they are known. Ish. It’s very rare for a backup frequency to be used in any given region of controlled airspace without advance warning (NOTAMs) but it does happen from time to time.

They should be monitoring 121.5 on the standby box and, of course, there is always the option of getting dinged on SELCAL or a mildly rude ACARS message from the company reminding you they’re paying you to operate the flight and not to do a crossword puzzle as you mentioned.

I’ll ask the other half to email me some photographs from the UK and get them up for you. The spare wheel arrangement is hugely amusing...

There is nothing plausible or sensible about much I propose but if you think Toyota has the sports-car cachet of Lotus, I think you’re very much mistaken.

Ah, now that’s an interesting point I certainly hadn’t considered. Any future owner would be unlikely to want to provide the ‘suspension/chassis tuned by Lotus’ moniker to a competitor.

We have very few domestically-owned manufacturers left. Morgan, Bristol, Mclaren (even there a large percentage of the company is owned by a Bahrain-based corporation).

Indeed, but BMW didn’t need Rover/Mini to build a hatchback either. There’s a certain draw that some brands have and it wouldn’t be an expensive acquisition.

See reply here -