Olympic Torch...

[streetster]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18006750

Really? I mean... Really?!

[g8ina]

and the cost ????

[peterb]

Don't know about precious, certainly hazardous air cargo.

I wonder how they got that through security in a plastic bag?

Or maybe the Greek Government can't afford security staff these days.

[streetster]

There are so many things that are ridiculous in the article... not sure where to begin so I'll just start ranting..

First Class?
They've already done a Trial Run?
FIRE ON A PLANE?
More precious cargo than the Queen?
Is anyone else on the flight or are they really flying a plane with a couple of pilots, a flame, and a policeman?

Has the world gone mad?

[kalniel]

You mean we're not bringing concorde out of retirement for this? I'm disappointed.

[IronWarrior]

Waste of money yet again. Good job world.

[scaryjim]

"It's slightly unusual to be playing with fire on an aeroplane."

Really? I've been doing it wrong all these years

Streetster: according to the article the plane will also be carrying "a party of dignitaries" including David Beckham and Seb Coe. I never realised "dignitary" meant "washed up former sportsman"

[Sputnik]

It'll be fine, I'm sure they will plant a couple of trees to offset the carbon footprint.

[TeePee]

OK... Carrying fire is potentially a big deal, because of the paperwork requirements. It will be Hazmat and almost certainly cargo airplanes only, which means BA can't operate the flight as a commercial flight. Lets just assume lots of paperwork.

But, doing a trial run with a unlit lamp bothers me. Why bother? I hope every BA pilot is capable of carrying what is, essentially, a box, from one location to another without practising first! The only concern should be if the flame went out due to the altitude changes, and they weren't testing that.

Personally, I don't see what's wrong with a Bic.

[Bunjiweb]

Amazed at the cynicism of some of you guys... Its a shame that we British can't even be patriotic any more.

We should be celebrating the fact that the eyes of the world are on us and that in these economic times we are getting a return on the olympic investment from the many millions of tourists that will be visiting the country this year.

[Terbinator]

Amazed at the cynicism of some of you guys... Its a shame that we British can't even be patriotic any more.

We should be celebrating the fact that the eyes of the world are on us and that in these economic times we are getting a return on the olympic investment from the many millions of tourists that will be visiting the country this year.

I think it's hard to get interested in something that only takes place in the capital. In addition to that, I think most people are looking forward to the Euro's for this summer's events.

[Behemoth]

Glad I'm not in Cornwall this weekend, it's madness down there so I'm told, the A30 is rammed.

[Bunjiweb]

I think it's hard to get interested in something that only takes place in the capital. In addition to that, I think most people are looking forward to the Euro's for this summer's events.

If you think the Olympics is only happening in London then u have no clue about it at all!

[Terbinator]

If you think the Olympics is only happening in London then u have no clue about it at all!

Outside of the football events? And if i have no clue about it i don't think that is my fault, it just goes to highlight in the inherit lack of exposure for anything outside of London. I'm not against the Olympics, i'll most likely watch quite a few events and enjoy them thoroughly, but i definitely don't view it as something nationwide or British.

[Gerrard]

If you think the Olympics is only happening in London then u have no clue about it at all!

Nope, there's also a lot going down at Weymouth and Portland; and everyone there will be taking a two week holiday during it! Apparently the locals are getting screwed over, businesses in particular (something about having to pay a commission to the Olympic Committee if they want to be able to sell during it?). My family lives down that way and it's been nothing but chaos with road works galore as they try to improve the roads from the M27 (ie, from London) to Weymouth. This even includes the "intelligent" traffic lights they put in Weymouth, where the right-hand filter comes on even though there's still on coming traffic (causing untold number of accidents). Even better, when it's all over, they'll rip it up again and put it back as it was!

[shelley bda]

That blimmin' flame!!! It is passing through Oswestry and the town I work in ( Welshpool ) As well as the villages inbetween ( Pant, Llanymynech ) So my normal route to work is going to be closed!!! Great! That has added god know many more miles to my journey! Not anticipating the drive through the back arse of Wales either.