Airlines

Here’s Why A Toilet Is Hanging On A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet’s Wing

A highly unusual “bomb” hanging under the wing was displayed by the U.S. Navy on a brand-new F/A-18E Block III Super Hornet fighter.

The F/A-18E Block III Super Hornet has been seen in multiple pictures taken by the 25th Fighter Squadron of the United States Navy, which is based at Lemoore Air Force Base in California. Actually, the history of the “toilet bomb” is quite fascinating.

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The 25th Squadron, commonly known as VA-25, attacked the Vietnamese enemies with 6 million bombs before the end of October 1965. So, it was decided to have an interesting anniversary celebration. In the midst of the South China Sea, one of the sailors was able to install an ordinary toilet on board the Midway. A “ceramic bomb” was able to be fitted to the wing of an A-1 Skyraider assault aircraft thanks to a unique design created by specialists.

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On November 4, 1965, Commander Clarence W. Stoddard, Jr., carried out an unexpected attack against the positions of the Vietnamese enemy. The A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft’s pilot read out a list of the ready-to-drop weapons as soon as they arrived at their intended location in the Mekong Delta. The Sani-Flush codename for “toilet bomb” (the name of a toilet bowl cleaner). The toilet bowl nearly collided with a passing American jet during the drop.

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The historical toilet replica was so proudly on show during the change of command event on September 16 at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Commander Mark “IROC” Tedrow, a former Blue Angel, replaced Commander Kristen Hansen as the pilot of VFA-25 during the event. It was the ideal setting for a light-hearted look back at the squadron’s illustrious past.

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Airlines

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.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

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.

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.