# Airplane to ground communication question \[about Scorpion TV show\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 25, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565 "2018-02-25T19:39:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/21 "2018-02-26T14:43:22Z")
Since the factual answer was given in the first reply, and the remaining comments are opinions about the show itself, let’s move this to Cafe Society. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/22 "2018-02-26T15:37:30Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > [The stupid, it burns](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buHaKYL9Jhg). It didn’t help that it reminded me of [this.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ4WgYQ215M) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/23 "2018-02-26T16:10:45Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > It didn’t help that it reminded me of [this.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ4WgYQ215M) 405 inspired a lot of people. It almost makes me wish someone would pull a George Bailey and have it never be born. Witness the Season 1 Leverage episode “The Mile High Job”, which not only has completely unrealistic airplane tech, but has a jumbo jet land on some causeway. Not only is it directly an homage (cough ripoff) of 405, but you can see that the not-so-special effects have the engines intersecting the barriers on the road. (and of course, there’s no need AT ALL that the plane land on the causeway. Once control is restored they could have just flown normally to where they were originally going. But then they couldn’t have made their own 405.) (Similar to the A-Team episode where a blind Murdoch must guide Hannibal in landing a 747. The plane comes to a stop [with its nose in the terminal](https://youtu.be/_1nQna2HYG8?t=8). Of course, there’s no way a terminal is at the end of any runway - they just wanted to use [the famous Airplane! gag](https://youtu.be/i5qpZZBlrq8?t=13).) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/24 "2018-02-26T16:28:03Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I can’t stop watching that clip. It’s just so incredibly bad at every level. It may actually beat the infamous [two idiots, one keyboard](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8qgehH3kEQ) scene, and definitely beats the [GUI interface using Visual Basic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkDD03yeLnU) scene. > > Since we’re still in GQ: > > - Why did they remove the roof while already moving, instead of before they took off? > - Why does that plane have an ordinary ethernet switch hooked into their radio/avionics systems? > - Why is there a hatch that goes from the cabin to the wheel well? > - What kind of clothes starch and hairspray do they use to keep everything tidy in a 160 mph wind? > - Why didn’t the guy just tie a wrench or something to the cord so he didn’t have to lower it by hand? > - Why did they build the control tower so close to the runway that a wing could easily clip it? > - Why did he skid to a stop sideways when cars brake much more effectively in a straight line? > - Why did the guy in the _tower_ call out “mayday”? > - Why is our band of misfits hanging out in a restaurant? > > (these are, of course, rhetorical questions…) It was pretty sad to see an excellent actor like Ernie Hudson involved in that shitshow. Seeing him call “mayday” from the tower, to announce the END of the emergency, was the icing on the cake. A couple more car-related issues: - do they expect us to believe that a Ferrari 458 that is already traveling at over 150 mph can get wheelspin when the driver floors the accelerator? - when he does this, there’s a quick cut to the floor of the car, showing accelerator, brake, and clutch. This model Ferrari is not, and never has been, available with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission; the only transmission option is a dual-clutch semi-auto with paddle shifters. No clutch pedal. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/25 "2018-02-26T17:30:32Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > - Why did they remove the roof while already moving, instead of before they took off? It’s Ferraris. People (including the people filming the shows, who have the car _right there_) don’t understand them. Witness the credits shot in Magnum, where Magnum mugs the camera and peels out. That shot is from the pilot episode, and right before that shot, he unlatches and slides back the roof section. as if it is a sunroof. Trouble it, it’s a removable top, as in Scorpion, and now that top is sitting in a ditch broken, with the back of the Ferrari scratched or dented. Hope he went back and got it. 🙂 What’s worse is, they must have had two guys off camera who caught the top, so they knew. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/26 "2018-02-26T17:35:34Z")
sometimes we watch shows because they are stupid because the chars can be fun - and scorpion started that way - I think I quit about the time he was dangling over a cliff in a car - I assume he died in that episode and they just run dream sequences now. If you want even more stupid - the latest incarnation of MacGyver makes Scorpion look ‘smart’. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/27 "2018-02-26T17:45:30Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Since we’re still in GQ: > … > > - Why is there a hatch that goes from the cabin to the wheel well? Why is there a hatch to goes from the cabin to the wheel well _in the wing?_ I’ve got a better question. Since they could direct the plane to an airport, know when it was arriving, get other planes out of the way, and fly it over the runway with the wheels down, why didn’t they just land the fucking thing and plug the computer in then? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/28 "2018-02-26T17:58:31Z")
It’s been a while, but I thought there was a reason why they couldn’t just land the plane. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/29 "2018-02-26T18:14:19Z")
IIRC it would roll the software revision, and they needed to recover the one the plane had loaded. Some infuriating nonsense like that, anyway. I didn’t bother to watch another episode after that. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/30 "2018-02-26T18:15:36Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s been a while, but I thought there was a reason why they couldn’t just land the plane. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Why is there a hatch to goes from the cabin to the wheel well _in the wing?_ As an aficionado of air disaster films, I can assure you this was far from the first time that dodge has been used. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/31 "2018-02-26T18:41:35Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > IIRC it would roll the software revision, and they needed to recover the one the plane had loaded. > > Some infuriating nonsense like that, anyway. I didn’t bother to watch another episode after that. Yes, it was some software revision that the towers put out, but only after the plane has landed. It’s an automatic update too they said. They had to have a version of the software that hadn’t been updated. What I don’t get is just have them land at a non-towered airport. There has to be one around. Or, you know, just turn off the damned computer before it can update. Don’t most pilots still have paper charts? I haven’t gone asking, but back in 2003 I was asking a pilot about it before we took off. I was making the instrument approach charts at the time and it was interesting. Even if they are on the computer or a tablet they are only .pdfs. I too stopped watching the show after the first one, though I have seen a couple of more. They are all just as bad. I do wonder why it’s still on. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/32 "2018-02-26T19:06:54Z")
Several of those posting here, including me, said they stopped watching after that awful first episode. And I’d expect the first episode to be better written than subsequent ones. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/33 "2018-02-26T19:27:11Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > As an aficionado of air disaster films, I can assure you this was far from the first time that dodge has been used. I think there was a Schwarzenegger film where he’s been taken on a plane against his will, subdues his captors, makes his way to the cargo hold, goes out a hatch and drops off the landing gear into a marsh at the end of the runway. But that was the nose gear. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/34 "2018-02-26T20:54:25Z")
My sister told me that I’d love this show, because it’s so smart. I’m very glad that I ignore her advice on artistic works. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/35 "2018-02-26T20:54:28Z")
_Scorpion_ demonstrates that you have to be smart if you’re going to write about smart people. It’s possible to enjoy the show if you view it as a comedy. It could be this generation’s \*Batman \*or _Lost in Space_. Too bad there isn’t an equivalent of MST3K for bad TV. BTW, the show isn’t just stupid. The acting is bad, too. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/36 "2018-02-26T20:54:53Z")
I’m embarrassed to know that film is _Commando_. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/37 "2018-02-26T21:00:50Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m embarrassed to know that film is _Commando_. And I _like_ Commando! I own Commando! But they could have had the exact same result with him just dropping out of the gear before takeoff roll started, and cut the unbelievablility of that film by, oh at least 10%. 😉 Surviving hitting the ground at over 200 mph is a bit much, even for Matrix. And it is still less stupid than Scorpion! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/38 "2018-02-26T22:55:53Z")
I admire the fortitude of those who watched the first episode all the way to the end. I turned it off after the first five minutes because I couldn’t take any more. :mad: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/39 "2018-02-26T22:58:35Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > And I _like_ Commando! I own Commando! I saw it when it came out. I thought it was silly. I haven’t watched it again. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565/40 "2018-02-26T23:02:30Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I think there was a Schwarzenegger film where he’s been taken on a plane against his will, subdues his captors, makes his way to the cargo hold, goes out a hatch and drops off the landing gear into a marsh at the end of the runway. > > But that was the nose gear. _ **Commando** _. And that drop into the marsh had to have been around 200 feet. Plus he would have been traveling forward at around 140 knots (rotation speed for a jet liner). Not even landing on his ass would have saved him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-to-ground-communication-question-about-scorpion-tv-show/809565.md?page=3)