I am a retired airline pilot. My company, Trans World Airlines, or simply TWA, was a great airline. Unfortunately, it was also one of the numerous victims of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. It was destroyed by many factors,  including some extremely poor decisions by upper management. This blog will contain my thoughts on airline safety and security, the horrific crash of TWA 800, including the flawed investigation and the coverup which ensued. I will also discuss the current  world wide political scene and the state of human affairs in general. I have been involved with aviation for over 45 years, and have flown everything from J-3 Cubs to 747’s, while viewing the far reaches of the planet from what I always thought of as my magic carpet. It is my hope that my insights  on these various subjects will be worthwhile, if occasionally controversial and thought provoking. Please remember that this is an “Opinion” blog. I am open to all points of view, so long as they are presented in a respectful manner. We need to talk about these matters, not stand on opposite sides of the street shouting epithets at each other. So, fasten your seat-belts, tray tables up, seats in the full upright position, and prepare for takeoff.