MIL wants to take ds on hot air balloon

[hellenback]

I'm not keen - he is 13 - dd much younger not invited - MIL in 70's and not fit or active! Using all usual old lady tactics to get my consent but hanging tough - as what if something awful happens???? Son cross with me - when he's 18 he can make own choices. Am I the baddy???? DH on fence! She's been nagging now for 3 years!!!! Why won't she drop it and take her DD instead????

Maybe jealous a little? I don't see the harm, it's not like they would be on their own. You could be there when when they get in/out.

I think you're being a bit daft - it sounds good fun!

Is there a danger to hot air ballooning that I am not aware of?

It can be quite dangerous apparently

Your lucky son! Why on earth don't you want him to go?

I would be SO jealous if my MIL offered to take my kids and not me . Yes, there is a slight risk involved but no more so than in most everyday things we do all the time. Make sure they are with a reputable company and let him go. He'll love it!

My husband does a bit of work for a hot air balloon company and I've beeb up a few times. It's really safe, there will be a professional pilot flying the balloon (you have to do a lot of training to get a commercial balloon licence). There will be probably 12 people in the basket as most of the cheaper commercial flights take 10 - 12 customers + pilot.
Nothing is likely to happen - and far less likely that something awful will happen than when you get in the car. Grandma doesn't need to be fit or well - the groundcrew staff (there are 2/3 staff + pilot per flight for DH's company) help passengers get in and out of the balloon.

It would be absolutely fine and your DS would have a fab time.

FYI commercial balloon pilots will not fly in winds over 7mph which is fairly gentle. They won't get caught in electrical cables because they fly higher than those.

TBH the chances of them getting a flight this year are quite low - the season runs from April to October and it is incredibly weather-reliant so about 50% of DHs flights are cancelled. If they are limited to weekends it might take them 1-2 years to sucessfully get on a flight

Really squoosh? What are the dangers?

It's not dangerous

People jump out cos they realise they've forgotten to pee beforehand. Then they die.

I dunno, but I've heard it can be dangerous. Much like flying I'm sure.

Quick google threw this up

On 13 August 1989, two hot air balloons collided at Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia killing thirteen people. It was then, and as of 2012, it remains the deadliest ballon accident.
On 7 January 2012, a hot air balloon collided with a power line, caught fire and crashed at Carterton, North Island New Zealand, killing all eleven people on board. As of 2012, it is the second deadliest balloon accident

Not usually dangerous would be more accurate Nigel

I didn't think it would be dangerous nigel.

lucky girl I say. It's one of the things on my bucket list!

I can't see why you won't let him go.
I had one journey about 20 years ago. It was fantastic despite being over Essex and not the Serengeti.
There is no need to be fit, all you do is stand for a couple of hours. Let him go you meanie.

No it's not usually dangerous but there is danger. Eleven people died ballooning in NZ earlier in the year, I was there when it happened, you'll never get me up in one of them things after seeing that coverage.

Weird that she's so keen on getting him to go!

(When I say "I was there" I meant in the country.)

Sqoosh - one was over 20 years ago. Both were in australasia where balloons might not be subject to the tight controls that they are here.

I can assure you that there is no chance of hot air balloons colliding here as they operate on open radio channels and the pilots are very skilled.

YABU

I understand that and am sure he will be fine, still you can't say 'it's not dangerous'. You're floating up in the sky in a basket, there's an element of danger, small as it may be.

Sqoosh - would you describe driving as dangerous ?

32 people were killed in Wales on the roads from September 2011 - December 2011
2 people have been killed in hot air balloon accidents in the UK in the last 40 years

Using that logic then, Squoosh, life is dangerous. Who knows when my roof may collapse on me or I might be knocked over by a car while walking down the road ?
Minor risks being present does not equal dangerous

This happened near us recently.

you'll never get me up in one of them things after seeing that coverage.

Presumably you don't get in a car or go on public transport/underground/planes/trains or boats then ?

I dunno, but I've heard it can be dangerous. Much like flying I'm sure.

Hey!? Statistically flying is one of the most safe forms of transport.

I think YABU OP. You cannot go through life being so risk adverse. Life is for living!