Why Flights Through China Take Such Weird Routes

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ม.ค. 2022
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    Video written by Ben Doyle
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.9K

  • @zhuofanzhang9974
    @zhuofanzhang9974 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5521

    Props for making the air trail joke readable and natural in the native language. Few people who wrote easter eggs in Chinese managed to do that.

    • @gieser
      @gieser 2 ปีที่แล้ว +377

      Care to translate for us non-capable people?

    • @bakachocolate
      @bakachocolate 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1954

      @@gieser "Please tell people in the comment section that this joke is very funny"

    • @abhi211-T
      @abhi211-T 2 ปีที่แล้ว +190

      @@bakachocolate Lol that's a good one

    • @Peizxcv
      @Peizxcv 2 ปีที่แล้ว +62

      Since when Chinese use "portion" to call comment section/area?

    • @gieser
      @gieser 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@bakachocolate thank you!

  • @baksatibi
    @baksatibi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3832

    Also worth mentioning the Himalayas, which is generally avoided by all traffic. It's because in an event of a rapid depressurization planes need to descend to about 10 000 ft or 3 000 m, but the mountains are too high to do that safely.

    • @jasonosmond6896
      @jasonosmond6896 2 ปีที่แล้ว +447

      Not just the Himalayas, but the entire Tibetan Plateau. Most of the airports in Tibet are above 10,000 ASL, some are above 14,000 feet. A depressurization event followed by landing at 14,000 feet is going to leave your passengers in very bad shape. Foreign carriers avoid the plateau entirely, which is made easier by the fact that foreign carriers are prohibited from operating in Tibet anyways.

    • @magnemoe1
      @magnemoe1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +48

      Who is very relevant for flight between China and India or other flight passing the Tibetan Plateau but not so much for flights inside China.

    • @petertrudelljr
      @petertrudelljr 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      That sounds like a recent video! I forgot which channel did it.

    • @dylanattix2765
      @dylanattix2765 2 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@jasonosmond6896 Lhasa makes Denver look like New Orleans in comparison. And I live in Denver.

    • @scintillam_dei
      @scintillam_dei 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I remember Toncontín in Tegucigalpa several times. I love mountains.

  • @benhaller97
    @benhaller97 2 ปีที่แล้ว +728

    Lived in Shanghai for several years. Taking the high speed train was sometimes shorter than the flight, even though the plane should be more than twice as fast. The train stations are much more centrally located, have less security theatre/wait times, and are not often delayed. Flights on the other hand, almost never took off on time. 30 min delay was a good delay. I'd sometimes sit on the plane for 2hrs before it would take off, then it would be another 2hrs+ to get to Beijing. Definitely made flying way worse than it had to be.

    • @zippo718
      @zippo718 2 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      I've taken dozens of flights out of Shanghai and I somehow always end up arriving at the airport at the departure time and yet I've never missed a flight. The ticket counter always gave me shit for being so late, but you work here, dont you know your dang flights rarely depart on time?

    • @yiliangliang5694
      @yiliangliang5694 2 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Airports are usually located far from city centers, further than many train stations, so that's a factor too.

    • @htaukkyanmyo4437
      @htaukkyanmyo4437 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      I flew often for work. After 9/11 almost all US flights added 15 to 45 minutes to their schedules to make them look good as being on time.

    • @blackrebelz
      @blackrebelz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Weird. I've experienced more canceled trains than delayed flights. I almost missed a flight because of a last minute cancellation.

    • @grod805
      @grod805 ปีที่แล้ว

      Did you say security theater?

  • @user-bx4li5ne3v
    @user-bx4li5ne3v ปีที่แล้ว +50

    I’m a pilot working in China, in fact some of those military airspace are sometimes open to civilian aircrafts, if there’s no military activity in side that airspace, or sometimes even there is on going military activity, it’s still negotiable, the civil aviation ATC will negotiate with military controllers. Sometimes they approve sometimes they don’t. The biggest inconvenience for me is the open time of those airspace is not transparent, the ATC or some departments of the operators may sometimes know the plan of their military activity, but we as pilots most of the time aren’t able to get those information, thus adjust our expectations or even flight plans. I’ve been flying in France for 1-2 years and they have a lot of restricted airspace too, some of those are military airspace, but their pilots are able to know the exact time of opening or closure of those airspace through the NOTAMs, which we don’t have here in China. I kind of get it that is to protect their military secrets, but for me this is really causing inconvenience & threats, sometimes even danger, to civil aviation here.

  • @Vexxed
    @Vexxed 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4142

    Convoluted air space in China makes high speed train lines more popular.

    • @AxxLAfriku
      @AxxLAfriku 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      I am being humble when I am telling you that I am the most powerful strongest coolest smartest most famous greatest funniest Y*uTub3r of all time! That's the reason I have multiple girlfriends and I show them off all the time! Bye bye vec

    • @alexandre3017
      @alexandre3017 2 ปีที่แล้ว +218

      why is there always a youtube rubbish bots epidemic

    • @godfather7339
      @godfather7339 2 ปีที่แล้ว +113

      Also, trains are more effecient, thus cheaper.

    • @Leonhard707
      @Leonhard707 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Holy shit I thought you were taken prisoner in NK, as you haven't uploaded since your trip there and documentary.

    • @qjtvaddict
      @qjtvaddict 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@godfather7339 the bad routes of planes in China help trains alot

  • @YukiThor
    @YukiThor 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3415

    laughed so hard at the airplane doing a chinese phrase
    the phrase actually means
    "this joke is funny"

    • @randomanimefan1000
      @randomanimefan1000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +339

      "Please tell people in the comment section that this joke is really funny."

    • @alunesh12345
      @alunesh12345 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@randomanimefan1000 Believe in JESUS today, confess and repent of your sins. No one goes to heaven for doing good but by believing in JESUS who died for our sins. GOD loves you soo much unconditionally.😍😚😘

    • @Ubya_
      @Ubya_ 2 ปีที่แล้ว +139

      @@alunesh12345 hahaaahahahaha that's a good joke mate

    • @moviestime878
      @moviestime878 2 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      @@alunesh12345 I don’t think god would like you to spread his religion, he wants people to learn but not by force.

    • @krio1267
      @krio1267 2 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      @@alunesh12345 wanna hear a joke
      islam

  • @shanghaidiscovery2664
    @shanghaidiscovery2664 2 ปีที่แล้ว +933

    When flying domestic in China, you get delayed by the fact air traffic control is indeed controlled by the military but also the fact that they there is a hierarchy to which flights go first: international first, then flights to Beijing, then flights to other larger cities, then the rest... And then it depends on the airline. Some airlines like Spring airlines which is super budget seems to be making money by selling some of its takeoff slots to other more premium airlines. Airlines least likely to be delayed are Hainan and Juneyao. Also never take last flight of the day if you can avoid it

    • @yiliangliang5694
      @yiliangliang5694 2 ปีที่แล้ว +84

      Also, Beijing gives priority to Air China flights, typically because many important individuals in China fly with Air China, and the airport needed to ensure their schedule first.

    • @HM-he1ob
      @HM-he1ob 2 ปีที่แล้ว +44

      Yes, that's why more people prefer taking high speed trains nowadays, even if it takes about 4-5 hours from Beijing to Shanghai, compared to 1.5-2 hours flight.

    • @jlu
      @jlu 2 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      @@HM-he1ob Often HSR is much faster when u include the hassle of going through airport and security check ins

    • @SamSitar
      @SamSitar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      they should replace the wavy airpaths with closing the passenger windows when flying over restricted places. airplane staff are trusted to keep quiet about such places.

    • @ggfdd5925
      @ggfdd5925 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@SamSitar honestly if you have something you want to hide you shouldn't entrust random people with it. that's the key to keeping something a secret

  • @ThaBeatConductor
    @ThaBeatConductor 2 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    3:34 "Mouse themed swamp"
    Glad someone recognizes Florida for what it is.

  • @egpx
    @egpx 2 ปีที่แล้ว +256

    ITSUX is my favourite five letter designated waypoint. It’s somewhere over the North Sea on the boundary of Scottish and Danish airspace.

    • @bcubed72
      @bcubed72 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      If I ran the FAA, I'd make an ILS waypoint "FUKKD." Better yet, the back course; then ATC could say "Delta 431, report 'FUKKD' for the back course."

    • @EdinProfa
      @EdinProfa 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      URADK for me

    • @lzh4950
      @lzh4950 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@bcubed72 I imagine there might be FOAKD "First of a kind"

    • @renakunisaki
      @renakunisaki 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Just don't get too close to waypoint CRASH.

    • @koishikomeiji7878
      @koishikomeiji7878 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@asliceofcheese9989 BALZZ

  • @MatuteG
    @MatuteG 2 ปีที่แล้ว +647

    The flight restriction over Disney ends at 3000 feet. It’s actually easy to fly over and see the fireworks

    • @scintillam_dei
      @scintillam_dei 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I did videos proving Pissney is of the devil.

    • @englandismycity181
      @englandismycity181 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@scintillam_dei Literally a conspiracy theorist in the comments lol

    • @alunesh12345
      @alunesh12345 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@scintillam_dei Believe in JESUS today, confess and repent of your sins. No one goes to heaven for doing good but by believing in JESUS who died for our sins. GOD loves you soo much unconditionally.😍😚😘

    • @remaks8405
      @remaks8405 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I think that it’s crazy how a single company has a no flight zone, also no respect for you for using the imperial system

    • @luqmann.2946
      @luqmann.2946 2 ปีที่แล้ว +65

      @@remaks8405 Feet is universal when it comes to aviation. Every country uses feet for altitude with regards to aviation. Only a few countries like China, Russia and a few others use meters to measure altitude.

  • @kevinzhan8393
    @kevinzhan8393 2 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    You’ll certainly hear the announcement “the flight xxx is cancelled/delayed due to air traffic control” at all airports, that’s really common and happens all the time at all airports I’ve been to in China

  • @Natasha-tu5qs
    @Natasha-tu5qs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +69

    I lived in Shanghai for a couple of years and can vouch for the terrible air passenger experience. A relative came out to visit me once and their flight was delayed by over 8 hours! Got diverted to Xiamen. Zero communication from the ground team.

    • @andrewzheng4038
      @andrewzheng4038 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah there’s virtually no reason to ever take a plane over the train in China, flying in China is just the most miserable experience vs. trains in China being some of the best

  • @taukid421
    @taukid421 2 ปีที่แล้ว +699

    I actually loved the ad at the end. I've long suspected this channel was just a bet to see how much stock footage you could use but I was a bit off. Real power move by the sponsor though, lol.

    • @der_dachs
      @der_dachs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      Agree, it's among the best fitting product placement/ads in the history of TH-cam

    • @ParagonPKC
      @ParagonPKC 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Yeah that's so badass and I was wondering where it is all coming from I know alot of channels do this it's cool with me

    • @DemPilafian
      @DemPilafian 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I'd rather stare at a chart, diagram, or even a public domain photo from Wikipedia than see boring, meaningless stock footage. The race to pump out content has caused video production quality to increase at the expense of real content.

    • @NOVAKza
      @NOVAKza 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@DemPilafian go checkout wendover then. Sam is pretty cool, way better than this guy.

    • @OldDeadMan
      @OldDeadMan 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Okay, for the first time, I truly enjoyed the sponsored piece. Laughed out loud really! Good job!

  • @WilburLin
    @WilburLin 2 ปีที่แล้ว +428

    I'm convinced that this was originally a serious Wendover project but then they realized they can have more fun by doing it on the HAI channel...

    • @oadka
      @oadka 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I agree

    • @alunesh12345
      @alunesh12345 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@oadka Believe in JESUS today, confess and repent of your sins. No one goes to heaven for doing good but by believing in JESUS who died for our sins. GOD loves you soo much unconditionally.😍😚😘

    • @conclusivestate
      @conclusivestate 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      This reply section is just funny lmao

    • @albiceleste101
      @albiceleste101 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I get bored to death by Wendover

    • @ortherner
      @ortherner 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Hilda Kimina bot

  • @KristinAlder
    @KristinAlder 2 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    I went to China in 2012 and in 2017. Both times there were minor and major delays waiting for planes. The shortest delay was 1 hour. The longest delay was 4 hours. The 4 hour one was such a pain because they kept saying they had to move which gate it was going to be at, but wouldn't say which one.

    • @thewiseone7286
      @thewiseone7286 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's the same in the US airport. Delay and cancelled flight all the time. The worst is United Airlines.

    • @wannacry7909
      @wannacry7909 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Have a try for Chinese high speed train for under 600 miles travel

  • @DimaLancaster
    @DimaLancaster 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    4:11 fast forward to Q2 2022 and our fight routes look exactly like that... again D:

  • @Thebreakdownshow1
    @Thebreakdownshow1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3867

    Now it all adds up I never understood why china is so keen on making all the fast-moving trains and how they are so profitable compared to cross-country flights.

    • @jiya6531
      @jiya6531 2 ปีที่แล้ว +108

      Same here bro. Typically there is a lot more infrastructure costs for trains to maintain ad clear snow of the tracks mean while airplanes just have fuel as the cost. BTw YOU CHANNEL IS SO UNDER RATED SUBBED.

    • @iaexo
      @iaexo 2 ปีที่แล้ว +118

      Clever - love the multiple accounts to jumpstart the channel.

    • @dubious_potat4587
      @dubious_potat4587 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      They're also really cheap to encourage people to use it

    • @pingu255
      @pingu255 2 ปีที่แล้ว +177

      Well actually many of the Chinese high speed lines are losing lots of money, especially the longer ones, which are more of a political tool, to force integration of minorities with the Han Chinese by making these far flung places better connected. The line from Beijing to Urumqi doesn't even make enough money to cover the cost of the electricity.

    • @alhollywood6486
      @alhollywood6486 2 ปีที่แล้ว +56

      Neither are profitable

  • @TheCreditShifu
    @TheCreditShifu 2 ปีที่แล้ว +121

    Yes the joke at 4:43 was indeed very amusing

    • @alunesh12345
      @alunesh12345 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Believe in JESUS today, confess and repent of your sins. No one goes to heaven for doing good but by believing in JESUS who died for our sins. GOD loves you soo much unconditionally.😍😚😘

    • @GhastlyHunger
      @GhastlyHunger 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Dang that was an interesting joke

    • @TheCreditShifu
      @TheCreditShifu 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@GhastlyHunger in the context of a joke, 有趣 means “amusing” rather than “interesting”

    • @krio1267
      @krio1267 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alunesh12345 ru bot

    • @Joltzis
      @Joltzis 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      请在评论部分告诉人们这个笑话很有趣
      Translated: Please tell people this joke is funny in the comments section

  • @Erik24296
    @Erik24296 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Who would have thought that the routes mentioned from the Cold War would have to go into effect again only a month after that video was released.

  • @WeyounSix
    @WeyounSix 2 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    You’ve been getting better at finding the balance between jokes recently. I felt like for a bit it was a bit too much sometimes, but more recently the balance has been a lot better.

    • @laputa2195
      @laputa2195 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Sad to say it's still way to immature jokey for me. The whole Alabama inbred thing was just 80's teenage cringe and incredibly painful as it dragged on and on.

  • @davasg96
    @davasg96 2 ปีที่แล้ว +79

    4:43 the Chinese skywriting has asked me to tell the comments section that the joke is really funny

  • @themongol1693
    @themongol1693 2 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    4:43 Translates to "Please tell people in the comment section this joke is very funny"

    • @jthecoder
      @jthecoder 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Original text for those who want to translate it themselves: 请在评论部分告诉人们这个笑话很有趣

  • @leonb2637
    @leonb2637 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    During the 'Cold War' era and even beyond, some airlines flying in or close to US Airspace also had to take very specific, less direct routes. For example Cubana Airways operated a flight from Havana to Montreal. They had to be careful for over a certain area of NY State due to a US military base and missile site. If strayed into it, future flights would be suspended.

  • @cbohn99
    @cbohn99 2 ปีที่แล้ว +154

    The weirdest route I ever saw in China doing this was KLM Flight 807 from Amsterdam to Taipei Taoyuan, it enters China, fly all the way south to Hong Kong, then makes an almost complete u-turn to the north-east direction to Taipei, this was pre-covid era before KLM shuffled their Asia flights.
    Also, note-worthy, if you fly from the Philippines to some parts of China, like Beijing and Shanghai, you always fly avoiding Taiwanese airspace.

    • @KirbyZhang
      @KirbyZhang 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Taiwan would shoot down planes directly coming across the strait.

    • @jimtan8472
      @jimtan8472 2 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      It must have something to do with taiwan-china tension, they simply avoid conflicted area to not doing the same on a certain Malaysian airline shootdown in Ukraine.

    • @JeanClaudeCOCO
      @JeanClaudeCOCO ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Also China bans all Taiwan flights going to Europe, or the Middle East from flying directly over China because of the one nation policy. China claims since the flights are not starting from the mainland it is not possible for Taiwanese carriers like China Airlines and EVA Air to operate flight to Europe over China. Those airlines have to detour, fly further south or before the Russia invasion of Ukraine go above, into Russian territory and then down to Europe.

    • @yiliangliang5694
      @yiliangliang5694 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      By regulation, if you are flying from / through Mainland China to Taiwan, you can only exit airspace controlled by PRC via either Shanghai FIR (Flight Information Region) or Hong Kong FIR.
      That's why, even for flights between Fuzhou and Taipei, which are just across the strait, you have to fly north towards Shanghai, enter Shanghai FIR, before turning east into Taipei FIR.

  • @JasmineJu
    @JasmineJu 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1158

    I traveled to China in 2019 and it's certainly gotten better. Many disused military airports have been converted to civilian airports which has made connections to smaller cities a lot more easier.

    • @bian7744
      @bian7744 2 ปีที่แล้ว +53

      Still quite sketchy in my opinion, but last time I did domestic travel in China was 2016.

    • @justaguy9224
      @justaguy9224 2 ปีที่แล้ว +45

      @AUDREY Try finding a real job before the police finds you

    • @ysaviationtrains2313
      @ysaviationtrains2313 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Someone talking about weird flight patterns....
      London Stansted: Allow me to introduce myself.

    • @justaguy9224
      @justaguy9224 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@OkarinHououinKyouma Ikr but it felt nice

    • @sleepyjoe4529
      @sleepyjoe4529 2 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      @@Stevie-J what a weird take -- you need to be quiet and let the grown ups talk

  • @adrielsebastian5216
    @adrielsebastian5216 2 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    Fun fact: the DUMMY waypoint at 1:47 is a real waypoint over Central Georgia.

    • @bcdm999
      @bcdm999 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      So's INBRD

    • @devintariel3769
      @devintariel3769 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      We have FAPIN in california

    • @waynejohnson1786
      @waynejohnson1786 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      BGDDY pronounced “Big Daddy” somewhere near Tennessee
      Say it on the r/flying subreddit

    • @WanJae42
      @WanJae42 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Atlanta has tons of inside joke names: SITTH, JJEDI, HOBTT, GNDLF, it goes on, especially if you like sports.

    • @EdOeuna
      @EdOeuna 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Outside Brisbane, Australia are waypoints LEAKY, BOATS and SIINK.

  • @doubleoyimmy1572
    @doubleoyimmy1572 2 ปีที่แล้ว +133

    I'd love to see a video about Russia's new flight routes.

  • @michaelbauer8778
    @michaelbauer8778 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    “During the Cold War” … oh here we go again 😂

  • @studiocyan7630
    @studiocyan7630 2 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Damn, the joke that airplane wrote at 4:44 was hilarious!

    • @NJX1
      @NJX1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      What does it say?

    • @mrnobodyplays147
      @mrnobodyplays147 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@NJX1 it translates to: "Please tell people that this joke is funny in the comment section"

    • @Saifei757
      @Saifei757 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cnm

  • @IKEMENOsakaman
    @IKEMENOsakaman 2 ปีที่แล้ว +198

    Disneyland "We don't want any airplanes because there's no dream in flying"
    Peter Pan "Really man?"

    • @syxepop
      @syxepop 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Actually it's Disney WORLD in Florida that has a NO-FLY ZONE (check "Midway to Mainstream" YT video on the subject), not the smaller Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.
      Sam shot Mary Poppins out of the sky... (probably Peter Pan would've escaped as he's way faster)

    • @laurabowles
      @laurabowles 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@syxepop *Main Street

    • @ErrorWolf
      @ErrorWolf 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ummm... WDW Delta Dreamflight. . .
      It’s literally in the name ;p

    • @9HighFlyer9
      @9HighFlyer9 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@syxepop Disneyland also has a permanent tfr

  • @Goat-on-a-Stick
    @Goat-on-a-Stick 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The most direct flight was this video's segue into their advertising segment.

  • @MrOutofcontrolvideos
    @MrOutofcontrolvideos 2 ปีที่แล้ว +211

    Fun fact: Until recently this meant the civil flight training was completely impossible, meaning that almost every commercial pilot in China is trained in either Australia, Europe or America. Including about 100 by me (all working for Sichuan or Eastern). Covid has, atleast for now put a stop to that.

    • @platinum-or3y
      @platinum-or3y 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Among us

    • @DigitalAlligator
      @DigitalAlligator 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      That's not completely true. Civil flight training is too expensive in China and normally sponsored by airline companies, As for individuals, they choose to train abroad which is cheaper.

    • @MrOutofcontrolvideos
      @MrOutofcontrolvideos 2 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      @@DigitalAlligator The training abroad is all under contract with airlines. Indivdual training in China is also non existant.

    • @luciatheron1621
      @luciatheron1621 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Many Chinese pilots are trained in South Africa!

    • @qiyuxuan9437
      @qiyuxuan9437 ปีที่แล้ว

      There are civil flight schools in China, my grand parents worked in one of them. But they can't handle the large demand.

  • @gokeefe
    @gokeefe 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    "Divorce escape pod"
    I love this channel.

  • @TheGamermouse
    @TheGamermouse 2 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    The joke at 4:44 was fire 🔥

  • @MyCarllee
    @MyCarllee 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Chinese here. The reason why our airway system is like this is because our government is really sensitive about geographical information, and dont want foreign entities to get a hold of China's landscape layout. The map you see on Google Maps is actually provided by government backed companies. Those coordinates are skewed several hundered meters. You can still use gps navigation in China l, because there're servers that run secret algoritms to convert real world coordinates to skewed coordinates. Only government has the accurate geographic data.
    There's a bit of history involved in why our government goes about such length to protect geo data. Years before WWII, Japan's government began mapping China's vast landscape in preparation for war to occupy China. Some say that began 50 years before WWII when Japan finally eexecuted their plan. Nowadays, protecting geo data is mainly to protect us from precision air strikes.

    • @prateekmahapatra1789
      @prateekmahapatra1789 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      one of the first thing i noticed on google earth , but countries that need to know the exact cord will get it regardless .. kinda pointless imo .

  • @a2e5
    @a2e5 2 ปีที่แล้ว +235

    There’s some more stuff that makes China’s airway restrictions even more absurd in places. To begin with, there are actually two classes of aeronautical charts for civilian use: one allowed for foreigners and one with more waypoints and airspace allowed for actual Chinese pilots who have sworn to not leak them (that would be most of them, sure). This is probably the #1 reason for abject lack of publicity-available info about where planes can fly.
    Now you are gonna ask, “aren’t they gonna figure out anyways with FR24”? Yes, but they seriously hunt down people who run ADS-B and maritime AIS receivers at home with Cold War charges. Many HAM groups have distanced themselves from this perfectly altruistic activity out of fear.
    Tying onto the previous GCJ-02 episode, there is actually a map regulation controlling what airports you can show on a map. Again incredibly masturbatory: it’s right there! Airports are designed to be seen from the sky, so satellites are gonna see em!

    • @rogink
      @rogink 2 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      This is a bit like old Ordnance Survey maps in the UK. Military bases and other sensitive sites would show a blank white space with an outline but no text. I think we did this up until the early 20th century, when aerial photography became possible.
      Of course the fact that the blank space, often with urban areas around stood out like a sore thumb didn't help. I live near a naval base and the old maps I've seen show the outline of the land by the harbour, with straight lines that are obviously manmade wharves and docks. I've no doubt the French navy knew as much about what was going on as anyone living near the base!

    • @musaran2
      @musaran2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I thought they were control freaks.
      Turns out is is full blown paranoïa.

    • @LinusTan94
      @LinusTan94 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Fancy seeing you here dude!

    • @benjaminbierley2074
      @benjaminbierley2074 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@musaran2 Pretty much, and it's in every strata of their government right now, explaining to folks that the surge in the CCP re-regulating all their industries is hard since most folks can't fathom the idea of a government being THAT controlling and paranoid.

    • @stg-tf4ns
      @stg-tf4ns 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@musaran2 the thing is many Chinese people like parental behaviour from the government. Whenever things go wrong, people blame the government for not doing things about it. So the government just ended up taking over more and more random stuff with the people pleased of ‘finally, a competent government that would do something’

  • @kaan8964
    @kaan8964 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    2:25 you messed up the order

  • @CaptainX2012
    @CaptainX2012 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    0:17. I'm convinced. I am pausing the video and I am going to devote the next 3-9 months to get a pilot's licence. Wish me luck.

  • @kylekisebach3966
    @kylekisebach3966 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I was told about Chinese airspace by pilot friends in Hong Kong years ago, but this was a cool detailed explanation about that, thank you.

  • @JustAnotherMetalhead
    @JustAnotherMetalhead 2 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Ah yes, the strange flight routs during the cold war, glad we are past that nonsence

    • @AhimtarHoN
      @AhimtarHoN 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah lol, I went straight to checking the time this video was posted after that bit :D

  • @egonmilanowski
    @egonmilanowski 2 ปีที่แล้ว +94

    What happens if a plane in China calls mayday? Does China scramble fighter jets to escort the civilian plane as it flies in restricted airspace? Are they expected to handle emergency in a narrow corridor?

    • @bootmii98
      @bootmii98 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Woudn't be surprised either way

    • @real_dddf
      @real_dddf 2 ปีที่แล้ว +68

      from the semi-documentary movie 中国机长, the mayday is reported to the air force, and they give civil aviation authority temporary jursidiction over any airspace needed, and pull out any units doing training there. After the emergency is resolved the air force resumes control. If the military needed that airspace for actual warfare, well then I have no clue.

    • @shahx1019
      @shahx1019 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      A mayday will be ok. But say if you have thunder storm ahead, and you want to divert? No way!

    • @TheeGrumpy
      @TheeGrumpy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      In a Communist country, May Day is a time for celebration. Workers unite!

    • @aircloud1795
      @aircloud1795 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@TheeGrumpy Wait what, I thought mayday was some kind of airline disaster?

  • @mikefung9145
    @mikefung9145 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This popped after the CES flight crash is eerie

  • @maddox3873
    @maddox3873 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Congrats on reaching 2 Million subs HAI guy! I'm sure you and the Wendover guy are celebrating this moment!

  • @NoodleFlames
    @NoodleFlames 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Congrats on two million subs! This has been a long time in the waiting, glad to be around to see it.

  • @senorspahrtan
    @senorspahrtan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    As an air traffic controller, you did a great job with this episode. Great explanations about routes and waypoints.

  • @evandonovan9239
    @evandonovan9239 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This is legitimately the first time I said, "Wow, I need to check out the sponsor ASAP", when I watched a TH-cam video to kill time. I definitely want to find out more about where you get the great stock video clips you use. That sounds sarcastic, but I actually have been impressed over the years because I know it is not easy to get a wide variety of stock video.

  • @MOYAHORROR
    @MOYAHORROR 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Aaaand now the flight path to Tokyo is the same as during Cold War

  • @andymitchell2146
    @andymitchell2146 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    POV - you're watching this on the same day a chinese flight crashed, because of the algorithm I suppose?

  • @ryanfisch7047
    @ryanfisch7047 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    A 3 hour 10 minute nap is one of the most perfect description for how I feel on planes.

  • @votekyle3000
    @votekyle3000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Planes!!!!!

    • @votekyle3000
      @votekyle3000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Just wow Muhammad was a false prophet

  • @drstrangeluv25
    @drstrangeluv25 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Definitely explains some of my zig-zagging flights over China that I was wondering about. Thanks!

  • @8stormy5
    @8stormy5 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I live in the Disney no-fly zone! Some guy flew a drone around when that whole craze started and had to turn it over for it and its recordings to be checked.

  • @oneofabillion
    @oneofabillion 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Wow this aged well

  • @holdencovington151
    @holdencovington151 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    1:56 just googled it and that waypoint is in Florida
    Just saying, as an Alabamian, those jokes got reeeeeeeeeal old a long time ago, so it’s worth noting that one isn’t even ours 😂

  • @TechTravelFinance
    @TechTravelFinance ปีที่แล้ว

    Great explanations, very interesting video!

  • @jeffbenton6183
    @jeffbenton6183 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The sponsor message for this one has me convinced that the sole purpose of HAI from the beginning was for Sam to produce an extremely long, somewhat subtle infomercial for Storyblocks' stock footage/picture services.

  • @ye4188
    @ye4188 2 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    cant wait for them to make visible plane roads

    • @AaronShenghao
      @AaronShenghao 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      They did, it's called high speed railway system.

    • @Carewolf
      @Carewolf 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      We already have plain roads. On the plains.

    • @ye4188
      @ye4188 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Carewolf plane highways would be so much cooler though

    • @TheGamingAlong
      @TheGamingAlong 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They made artificial sun, pretty sure this one is possible for them

    • @haechiwr
      @haechiwr 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheGamingAlong didn’t the project get canceled after all the backlash they got around the world? Same for the artificial moon they tried a few years ago.

  • @nowgoawayanddosomethinggoo8978
    @nowgoawayanddosomethinggoo8978 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "my SAM site operators' fingers get a little twitchy when there's too many planes around."
    - a base commander between waypoints A and B

  • @Max78912
    @Max78912 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this content the dryness of the delivery makes some shit you say make me chuckle while still being highly informative

  • @nielsdaemen
    @nielsdaemen 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    4:08 Little did you know that *cold war II* was about to make flights look like that again...

  • @robert1200
    @robert1200 2 ปีที่แล้ว +134

    A brick is a type of block used to build walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction. Properly, the term brick denotes a block composed of dried clay, but is now also used informally to denote other chemically cured construction blocks. Bricks can be joined using mortar, adhesives or by interlocking them.[1][2] Bricks are produced in numerous classes, types, materials, and sizes which vary with region and time period, and are produced in bulk quantities.
    Block is a similar term referring to a rectangular building unit composed of similar materials, but is usually larger than a brick. Lightweight bricks (also called lightweight blocks) are made from expanded clay aggregate.
    Fired bricks are one of the longest-lasting and strongest building materials, sometimes referred to as artificial stone, and have been used since circa 4000 BC. Air-dried bricks, also known as mudbricks, have a history older than fired bricks, and have an additional ingredient of a mechanical binder such as straw.
    Bricks are laid in courses and numerous patterns known as bonds, collectively known as brickwork, and may be laid in various kinds of mortar to hold the bricks together to make a durable structure.

    • @oadka
      @oadka 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The OG

    • @aiayta412
      @aiayta412 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yes, yes, give me more brick comments

    • @spyczech
      @spyczech 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      You made me scroll to the bottom expecting government secrets

    • @rogink
      @rogink 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      FAKE NEWS!!!

    • @neoqwerty
      @neoqwerty 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Robert, I'd like to request more information about bricks as a measurement unit for stress and panic, as in, "shitting bricks".

  • @brianzhong3553
    @brianzhong3553 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Flew from Shanghai to nyc once with a layover in Chongqing - would love a video explaining why they did this route

    • @sleepyjoe4529
      @sleepyjoe4529 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Because you paid for a budget ticket so they wanted to pick up passengers in Chongqing

  • @bencarnick1927
    @bencarnick1927 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good use of a Vekoma Hang 'n Bang for a metaphor of Chinese air routes

  • @paulyiustravelogue
    @paulyiustravelogue 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your videos always offer so much memes and Easter eggs, I can become an egg farmer by watching them.

  • @ckl9390
    @ckl9390 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Actually, the edge of space the end of national atmospheric jurisdiction is the Karman Line. It is the elevation at which aerodynamic flight becomes practically impossible due to the almost non-existent air density. Essentially every country in the world except the US recognises this boundary.

    • @9HighFlyer9
      @9HighFlyer9 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Kármán line

    • @ckl9390
      @ckl9390 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@9HighFlyer9 That explains why the web search didn't pan out. I thought I remembered the name, but I only ever heard it spoken.

    • @9HighFlyer9
      @9HighFlyer9 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ckl9390 I figured you were using voice to text

  • @cssstylescommand4
    @cssstylescommand4 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Great video although I shouldn’t have left the space tourism Bezos joke aside 2:54 as many of us subscribers who have interests in aviation and aerospace usually often have interests in space too!

  • @alexandrastimens1828
    @alexandrastimens1828 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sam !! Can you do a video about the meal & drink services on airplanes? I'm so interested in where they come from and how they're stored etc

  • @desel8737
    @desel8737 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    in the past 6 years or so i watched exactly two in video ads (without muting or skipping): one from second thought a few weeks ago and this one here.

  • @poplar6658
    @poplar6658 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    China's "civilian weather balloon" gets through all that without anyone noticing 😂 4:34

  • @TakeWalker
    @TakeWalker 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    "Suggestively-shaped divorce-escape pod" is something I will take with me to the grave.

  • @judethomas5374
    @judethomas5374 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Neat video. Now make one on why my flight from Seattle to Spokane had a layover in Dallas.

  • @freekick129
    @freekick129 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Do you live in Denver? I feel like you always use examples from this area! Love it!

  • @oromedenep
    @oromedenep 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    COLD WAR FLIGHTS ARE BACK BABY

  • @reginaldwelkin
    @reginaldwelkin 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I wonder if higher fuel costs will change these routes. You'd think they would be saving fuel reserves.

  • @josephradley3160
    @josephradley3160 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I love the use of the "ghost" from Scooby-do and the Boo Brothers.

  • @TheOnlyNoIan
    @TheOnlyNoIan 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    finally an HAI video i had background info on!

  • @TotallyNotaYTER
    @TotallyNotaYTER ปีที่แล้ว +3

    2:49 you are now my favorite you youtuber 😂

  • @PolskiHusar117
    @PolskiHusar117 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Moscow-Kalingrad flights have an interesting route now, the detour is quite significant.

    • @santibanks
      @santibanks ปีที่แล้ว

      I assume via Petersburg over the Baltic sea?

  • @cinnamondan4984
    @cinnamondan4984 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I live in China and in 2014 I travelled a lot for fun via flight. Half the flights I booked were cancelled and it sucked

  • @savagekingtexas_3990
    @savagekingtexas_3990 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's always a good video when HAI Uploads

  • @NitishKumar-jm7ec
    @NitishKumar-jm7ec 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Im a victim of TH-cam's sick sense of algorithm

  • @tomdchi12
    @tomdchi12 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Worth pointing out that Disney's private no-fly-zone is not from the surface to the underside of Bezos' orbiting lair. It's only up to 3,000 feet which is fairly silly unless you use a magic umbrella to fly.

  • @JoshMathewsofficial
    @JoshMathewsofficial 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Was interesting to watch this happen as I flew into Pudong airport recently.

  • @anwitmondal6417
    @anwitmondal6417 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is like Wendover Productions but with the humour setting cranked up to 100.

  • @ReportsOnChina
    @ReportsOnChina 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    That’s why, where possible, we prefer to use China’s amazing high speed rail network. If I need to go from Shanghai to Beijing (1,067km or 663 miles in a straight line) for example, I can get there is just over 4 hours on the high speed rail, as opposed to an hour taxi to the airport at each end, two hour prior arrival at the airport including security and waiting, and a 1.5 hour flight that will probably be delayed if I fly.

  • @ke6gwf
    @ke6gwf 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ok, the Bezos burn is one of the best I have heard!
    The sky writing joke was pretty awesome too lol

  • @elishmittywerminghanjensen1264
    @elishmittywerminghanjensen1264 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Plane juice 😂 Love the writing on these videos

  • @TipCounter4You
    @TipCounter4You 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Yeah, I remember flying over greater Taipei being a hassle for this reason.

  • @kcanyon9108
    @kcanyon9108 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It is a pain to travel by air in China because of this, and they reason they use is "流量控制“ or traffic control. People seem to get used to it. I always travel by train. Travel-wise, China is not that big, since most big cities are a limited space in the east, and you can get to most cities in less than 5 hours by train.

  • @olefella7561
    @olefella7561 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    The fact that we get free documentaries on TH-cam by Half as Interesting is truly a gift. 👍👍👍

  • @1pilotdudeman
    @1pilotdudeman 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fun fact, flying into Kissimmee or Orlando, and being routed by ATC on IFR flight plans, sometimes you will get routed over Disney. Usually above their 3000ft TFR, but sometimes lower.

  • @jsmith1746
    @jsmith1746 ปีที่แล้ว

    I flew in China for several years. You wouldn't believe the convoluted routing we'd see. I still have pictures of some of the ridiculous routes we had to fly. The other problems you get is with narrow and winding airways, if you have an airplane above you, you will get stuck at a much lower altitude since you have no room to move around and climb above them. This leads to increased fuel consumption and higher emissions too. The higher you fly, typically the less fuel you burn (also depends on winds). I have spent a three hour flight stuck down at 17,000 feet, simple because there was a couple of airplanes above us and we did not have the available room along the airway to move aside and climb above them.
    Regarding delays, the worst I ever had was between Shanghai and Chengdu, with six hours. The rotten thing is often China ATC will not inform you of delays until after you are fully loaded and ready to push back. There is no such thing as passenger rights in China, so the passengers had to just sit on board for those entire six hours, as the ground crew would not move the jetway back to let people off.

  • @tompeled6193
    @tompeled6193 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    5:05 That's why high-speed rail exists.

  • @johnyves1246
    @johnyves1246 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I have been flying across chinese airspace on a regular basis on international flights. Controllers are rude and disregard Air Safety totally particularly when deviations are needed for severe weather. I have not shied away from picking verbal fights with them and they know my voice. The point is : ATC cannot vector you into harms way and you have to be stubborn and remind them that an aircraft captain has the right to do anything he needs to maintain a safe flight!

  • @ebiskner
    @ebiskner 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My personal favorite GPS points are at EWR, the FAF for 4L “HOWYA” and 4R “DOOIN”

  • @hangoutdesk1894
    @hangoutdesk1894 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am not kidding when for a split second, I thought the clip of the roller coaster at 0:38 was a shot of a plane going through a roller coaster 😂

  • @EnergiaII
    @EnergiaII 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    2:44 The Karman Line, 100km (66Mi) ASL

  • @andrewneber1767
    @andrewneber1767 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    fun fact: the footage of the roller coaster seen at 0:37 is a ride called "Freedom Flyer". Making the stock footage a Easter egg in a video with a stock footage sponsor is definitely a next level joke.

  • @Roset595
    @Roset595 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, this seems like a great topic for a Wendover video

  • @kipter
    @kipter 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Funny thing about Charlotte to Denver is most flights from Charlotte to Denver stop in Atlanta