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From Barroom Bet to Stolen Aircraft: The Unbelievable Flights of Thomas Fitzpatrick

From Barroom Bet to Stolen Aircraft: The Unbelievable Flights of Thomas Fitzpatrick

In September 1956, there was a man named Thomas Fitzpatrick. He had a few too many drinks in a bar in New York City. When he was drunk, he made a bet with someone that he could fly from New Jersey to New York City in just 15 minutes.

At 3 a.m., he did something very risky. He stole a small airplane from an airport called Teterboro. He didn’t turn on the airplane’s lights or radio. He flew the plane and landed it on a street called St. Nicholas Avenue, close to 191st Street, right in front of the same bar where he made the bet. The New York Times even said it was a good landing and impressive flying. But what he did was illegal, and he had to pay a $100 fine because the owner of the plane didn’t want to press charges.

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Then, in October 1958, Fitzpatrick did something even crazier. He stole another plane from the same airport and landed it on a street called Amsterdam Avenue near 187th Street. He did this because someone didn’t believe that he had done it the first time.

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For the second stolen flight, a judge named John A. Mullen sentenced him to six months in prison. When the police asked him why he did it again, he said it was because someone didn’t believe his first flight.

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Fitzpatrick had been a Marine during the Korean War and even received a Purple Heart for his service. He had a family with three sons and was married for 51 years. He worked as a steamfitter. He passed away in 2009 when he was 79 years old.

Because of his daring airplane feats, there’s a mixed drink named after him called the “Late Night Flight.”

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Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

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Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

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As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.

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