topic Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride in Community Chat

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:04:56 GMT

It's been quite awhile since I've been on one but after the one I was done.

It was in Statesville NC at the airport and the supplier I was buying from offered rides prior to their customer dinner.

I was so afraid, the pilot just skimmed the trees, a huge long bug ended up in the basket and we landed in a field with tall grass that I was later told had snakes.

Since it was my first ride, there was a celebratory champagne toast by which the champagne of course didn't end up in the glass but allover my head.

that was my ride (and a ride to remember), never again.

They look pretty in the sky and take great colorful pictures but that's all the adventure I could of ever had or asked for.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

jaxs mom — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:14:20 GMT

You're more daring than I am. No way I'm getting up in one of those things.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Chrystaltree2 — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:16:39 GMT

Never, I wouldn't even think about it, even before the recent tragedy.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

catlover — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:22:29 GMT

I've always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride..............maybe seeing it on the wizard of oz...............

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

itsmagic — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:36:01 GMT

No way that I would go on a hot air balloon ride. Helicopters scare me too!

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Mz iMac — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:44:47 GMT

@itsmagic wrote:
No way that I would go on a hot air balloon ride. Helicopters scare me too!

Ditto! Scared the rotors will cut off my head getting on or off.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Noel7 — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 01:59:05 GMT

Those balloons are big business in the Napa Valley wine country. I would not go on one if you paid me. I've read too many stories over the years of people killed while on a ride.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Newgate — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:00:47 GMT

I have never gone and never will!! Many people will think twice now!! So sad!!

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

dooBdoo — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:06:29 GMT

I've flown in a hot air balloon in Albuquerque and also participated as part of the crew, to inflate the balloon and be in the "chase team" to retrieve it after landing. It's a wonderful experience, the sound, the feeling, and the views are incredible, and I would do it again under the right circumstances. They are dangerous, even with the best of pilots, because their ability to "steer" is highly impacted by so many uncontrollable factors. The horrific crash in Texas this past weekend is a frightening reminder of the dangers. I've read that the pilot had a history of DUIs, prison, and auto driver's license revocation and also there were many complaints against the company. Anyone who does choose to fly in this type of aircraft needs to check up on the pilot and the company, first. Rest in peace, to all those who lost their lives.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

lOVETOSHOP — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:13:09 GMT

I am afraid of heights, so I always knew in the back of my mind that I could never go on one. But, the other thing that always scared me is the lack of control on one. The incident in Texas is just so sad...and a reminder of just how fragile life is. One moment you are in awe of a flight above the earth and the beautiful views, the next, your life is over! My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

tansy — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:38:16 GMT

There have been too many deadly accidents recently for my comfort. Last year we had a balloon make an unexpected, very hard landing in front of our suburban house. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Kachina624 — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 05:05:32 GMT

The thing that turned me against the possibility of taking a ride was an incident several years ago during the balloon fiesta. The Smokey the Bear Balloon with a man and a boy of about 10 or 11, snagged one of those super high radio antennas, at the top. There was no way to release it. After much discussion and observation by helicopter, it was determined that the two would have to climb down the ladder hand over hand. I'm deathly afraid of heights and would probably still be up there had it been me.

The fire department helped with the rescue and both eventually got down safely but what a nightmare. Smokey was rebuilt and still flies every year.

Remember when 19 people were killed several years ago in a ballooning accident near Luxor, Egypt?

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 05:51:18 GMT

My hot air balloon ride was just exquisite .... in San Diego county (Temecula wineries area) at sunrise. The flight was silent and beautiful. A few times we'd hear some rustling below and see rabbits or deer running through the brush. Floating over the vineyards at sunrise was so peaceful ... and such a gorgeous ride. Ballooning in wine country is one of the most scenic rides.

Afterwards we had champagne and orange juice and later had brunch at the winery. Very beautiful ... and very romantic.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Desertdi — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 07:24:10 GMT

I need to have solid ground under my feet.....and I don't do well in crowded spaces....................

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

KathyPet — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 09:05:07 GMT

I checked into the price a few years ago and was quite shocked at how expensive they were. Now I am reading that the families of two of the couples that were killed have set up Go Fund Me pages because they don't have enough to pay for their funerals. One couple were grandparents. You would think that maybe putting that money towards some life insurance instead of a balloon ride would have been a better idea. How do these people think their final expenses are going to be covered? If you have the discretionary funds to spend for a balloon ride then fine but when you don't have funds put away to cover your funeral expenses and choose to go on a expensive treat like that instead leaves me shaking my head. Now others are being asked to shoulder the financial burden from these people's irresponsible choices.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

bri20 — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:01:48 GMT

I have no interest in doing anything like that.

I won't even go out on that clear skydeck they have on the Sears Tower.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

qualitygal — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:02:47 GMT

My FIL did that once. We were in the chaser car...that was all I needed. I'd rather just take pictures of the balloons in NM.

This latest disaster and loss of life was horrible. I'm sorry for the families.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Stray — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:24:49 GMT

@dooBdoo wrote:

I've flown in a hot air balloon in Albuquerque and also participated as part of the crew, to inflate the balloon and be in the "chase team" to retrieve it after landing. It's a wonderful experience, the sound, the feeling, and the views are incredible, and I would do it again under the right circumstances. They are dangerous, even with the best of pilots, because their ability to "steer" is highly impacted by so many uncontrollable factors. The horrific crash in Texas this past weekend is a frightening reminder of the dangers. I've read that the pilot had a history of DUIs, prison, and auto driver's license revocation and also there were many complaints against the company. Anyone who does choose to fly in this type of aircraft needs to check up on the pilot and the company, first. Rest in peace, to all those who lost their lives.

@dooBdoo- I love the balloon rides and do it yearly in NJ at Reddington, did one in Africa, Australia, NZ, Italy and Costa Rica....Texas was tragic but not the usual experience. There is danger walking across the street. The pilot did have a checkered past but in fairness had been "clean" for a number of years and it was said he wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the balloon had a recent inspection and passed.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

violann — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:40:28 GMT

@Stray It seems that we're sometimes on the road between NY-NJ-PA and see the balloons from the Readington show, an there's nothing I love more than seeing the balloons, but definitely not for me.

I have have plenty enough trouble staying on my feet on the ground.

Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Vickiv — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:37:39 GMT

I live in a town where they do fly air balloons out of here. I use to love to watch the air balloons go above the house it was really beautiful to see them. Then one day this balloon was kind of really low and wobbly you could see it was in trouble. I worried about electric wires . It landed up in our local ball field. The neighbors ran over to help. The people on board were terrified. That was it for me . I'm not that brave to float in the air and hope that it stays up.