[www.youtube.com]

This is all over the news.... it's gone viral!

[barcann.livejournal.com]

All I can say is Dumb.....

I like the Darwin principle....

Many, many years ago, when my family was much younger and the road between Sonesta and Caravanserai at the end of the airport runway was totally undeveloped - no Sunset Beach Bar, Boat Bar or even Royal Islander - we used to walk or drive over and sit on the wall at the very edge of the beach and watch the two or three big boys come in at night.

It was pretty awesome to see the planes from however far out and scramble to get there in time to see them materialize over the water from out of the clouds as they made that final approach to land at Juliana Airport.

And the night landings were incredibly beautiful as well. The planes turn on their landing lights way out and as they emerge from the cloud cover that often embraces the area in the evening they cast a beautiful silvery glimmer on the waves below. The sounds of the waves seems to increase and then is drownded out as the plane actually passes overhead. To me, that is a sight worth seeing and experiencing even still.

We didn't do the fence thing - the stinging sensation from the pelting sand felt bad enough as we sat on either side of the beach. I can't begin to imagine how bad it must feel to be right there in the middle of the runway approach hugging that chain fence as the plane glides in overhead.

And having seen the viral video I can assure you we will NEVER find out.

Respectfully,

pat

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten (Thursday, April 12, 2012) – Following recent incidents of thrill-seekers being injured while hanging on to the fence at the west end of Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, the airport authorities and government officials are increasing security measures.

We have noted with much regret recent media reports and YouTube postings about an incident over the Easter holidays in which two young persons were said to have been blown from the fence at the west end of the Princess Juliana International Airport runway, as a jet aircraft was taking off.

Fortunately the injuries suffered particularly by one young woman involved were reportedly not debilitating.

The airport is currently considering heightened security in that area, in consultation with the St. Maarten government to allow for a stricter implementation and reinforcement of the warnings to the general public posted along the fence.

We will continue to take all necessary measures and precautions to ensure the safety of all users of the airport, including persons visiting St. Maarten, and we urge everyone to adhere to all public safety warnings.

Princess Juliana International Airport has always done everything within its power to enhance the personal safety of all visitors to the destination, and in particular, users and visitors to our airport.

However, incidents such as this unfortunate one emphasize the need for everyone, including all our visitors to heed the clear warnings – about the dangers of jet blast – posted along the airport fence.

We acknowledge the obvious attraction by visitors of planes landing so close to the beach, which has added to making the destination quite popular; nevertheless, no amount of excitement or thrill can justify putting one’s life in danger.

Measures currently in place include double fencing, warning signs; and brightly-painted guardrails—all of which have been implemented in consultation with the government to deter dangerous activity.

-- From the airport PR office

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