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An oldie but a goodie.I was a passenger on one of those old 4-engine propeller aeroplanes. Noisy, slow, but a workhorse. After a while, we hear an engine whine, look out the window and see a propeller feathering. Pilot comes on the PA and comments that we may have seen it, but don't be concerned, it's a perfectly airworthy plane. However, with only three engines, it may take longer to arrive at the destination.
Further on, another clunk, and another propeller stops. Again, the pilot is quickly there to reassure us. Be calm, we're fine, but expect even more time in the air.
This continues for a while, when the third engine just fails and by then everyone is getting alarmed, and finding the journey's length to be tiresome. But the pilot comes on the PA to placate everyone. These old planes, solid but slow; rest assured we can continue on just one engine. So well designed they are, he calmly stated. But of course, with only one engine, it's going to take even longer.
And the flight dragged on, a seeming interminable length of time until they were to arrive at the airport. The hours pass by, slowly. Everyone was getting tired.
Suddenly a loud bang, and the fourth engine suddenly fails. "Oh no!" said the blonde sitting across the aisle. "We're going to be up here for ever."
Very Gary Larsonist, pity he retired.
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