Jumbo Jet Appears to Graze Golden Gate Bridge During Stunt

This article is a perfect illustration of journalistic ethics gone blatantly wrong. If there were any concern for journalistic accuracy, the headline should have been "In an optical illusion, 747 aircraft appears to skim top of Golden Gate bridge". And the body of the story would have reported this as an optical illusion as well. But neither the reporter nor the publication met the duty of candor toward the reading public, and thus mis-led the readers.

Did the journalist and the publication engage in balanced reporting? No. Did the journalist or publication seek video or comment from United Airlines or the Fleet Week Airshow organizers, or ask the FAA for the radar track of the path taken by the aircraft -- all of which would clearly show that the journalist's sensationalism was inaccurate and imbalanced?

What good purpose is served by such breach of the ethics of professional journalism? Needlessly stirring up concern of uninformed and mis-informed members of the public based on false reporting? What good is there in that? Making a name for the reporter? Probably, but a bad name, which some may believe is better than no name at all. However, no good, ethical reporter subscribes to such notions.

So, let's put aside all these false alarm responses in the comments and realize that many have been manipulated by an optical illusion that some less than diligent journalist mis-reported as potential fact.

This was no big deal. Now if he had come in under the bridge we would have something to talk about. But this plane cleared the bridge by a large margin.

The same people who bitched about this being a stunt are the same people who bitch at airlines for not flying in bad weather and bitch for not flying with mechanical problems etc.
The general public is pretty stupid at times.

I am a retired F/A for UAL. Flew for 36 years. TRUST me, The 747-400 is an amazing
aircraft. IT can literally LAND on its own, in MOST MAJOR HUGE airports.

So can the 767-300(BOEING) YES! an AMERICAN made aircraft, can also do the same thing
LAND on the Runway on it's own. Simply amazing stuff!

Half the time, most passengers don't realize the CAPTAIN, is letting the aircraft land on its own. Don't want to SCARE the Passengers....BOOO!!! It's Halloween Time!!

I was on one flight where the Captain made an announcement on the PA, stating, HE was going to let our 767-300 from Honolulu back to Los Angeles, Ca. land ON its own!

THE look on passengers faces. LMAO!! were AWESOME!! "I bet your going to fasten and tighten that SEAT BELT of yours now?" You Betcha!!!

We, as crew members always know when, we land by computer.....So please, BE Kind, to the F/A's the NEXT time YOU "FLY, the FRIENDLY SKIES!!!

Libby Zay is an idiot as she would be the one to yell; Fire in a movie house...

People are stupid!! Ive lost all hope for humanity...

It was an air show. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoyed it. It did not remind me of September 11 at all.

I Didn't see anything to be so alarmed about' the plane was'nt even close to the bridge hell we used to fly our small Pitts Specials under bridges & no one made a big fuss over that !

Breathtaking... and well coordinated. Its SFO and its close to the Airport one of Uniteds hubs...and it was a special event.. It flew between the bridge or under it . I'd be running for cover.. But I would knwo it was a display of grandeur and honor... A special rare treat for the eyes...

Well if it was arranged beforehand I see nothing wrong with it. However I would not want to be in a car or vehicle crossing over the bridge and not advised ahead of time.