Hot Air Balloon Ride - Page 2

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

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.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

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?

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

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.

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

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

♥Surface of the Sun♥

KathyPet · ‎03-09-2010

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.

bri20 · ‎03-10-2016

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.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

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.

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

@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.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

Vickiv · ‎06-15-2015

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.