# Scary stuff: the boy in the balloon **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 15, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940 "2009-10-15T18:58:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/201 "2009-10-16T16:51:50Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And why did they just happen to be recording the balloon when it broke free? And it was obvious from that video that there was no basket, and there was nothing as heavy as a child aboard. It looks to me in the video that they were releasing the balloon intentionally (thus, the count down) but intended to have it teathered15-20 feet in the air. Wifey didn’t teather it well and crazy dad gets pissed and kicks the lawn furniture. Constant video taping off stuff seems par for the course for this family, so that part doesn’t seem odd to me. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/202 "2009-10-16T16:52:57Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > It looks to me in the video that they were releasing the balloon intentionally (thus, the count down) but intended to have it teathered15-20 feet in the air. Wifey didn’t teather it well and crazy dad gets pissed and kicks the lawn furniture. Constant video taping off stuff seems par for the course for this family, so that part doesn’t seem odd to me. Is this a different take off or is this the time when they thought the kid was in the balloon? Because wouldn’t they have to know he wasn’t if they were right there? ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/203 "2009-10-16T16:57:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m told the boy was asked about that comment in two morning shows today, and both times, he got so nervous he puked. My local station’s page carries a story that states he told his mother he needed to vomit during one interview (what 6 year old uses the word “vomit”?), and was just sitting there hurling into a container during another. I’m very eager to hear the whole story on this…the parents (especially Crazy Dad) are looking pretty pathetic at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/204 "2009-10-16T17:19:13Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Somewhere in the country the other _Wife Swap_ woman is sitting in front of the TV with her family, pointing at it and screaming _“See? See? I freakin’ told you!”_ She has been interviewed. Her comments were along the lines of “He lets his kids curse and spit” followed by backpedaling “I don’t want to say anything bad!” ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/205 "2009-10-16T18:03:15Z")
I am going to get ahead of this meme/theme curve for once. Here it goes : Once, for two hours and 50 miles, in 2009, in Colorado. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/206 "2009-10-16T18:08:22Z")
So the nation was at a standstill all day over this? Really? I didn’t find out about it until I went to the bank and saw it on the news as they determined the kid wasn’t in there. Amazingly, there were other people at the bank going about their business, there were cars on the road lots of people not glued to the TV, I guess we all weren’t informed that we were supposed to be at a standstill. The last time the nation was truly at a standstill was Sept. 11, 2001. Why do reporters have to overexaggerate to make things even more dramatic? And now that we know he wasn’t on the balloon, why are we even still hearing about it?It’s not news! ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/207 "2009-10-16T18:13:52Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Is this a different take off or is this the time when they thought the kid was in the balloon? Because wouldn’t they have to know he wasn’t if they were right there? I don’t think they realized that the kid might be in the balloon until after it took off. He had already gone to hide in the garage attic (apparently) and no one knew where he was. Then one of the other kids said he saw him climbing around under the ballon before it took off. Then crazy took over. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/208 "2009-10-16T18:14:43Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > I don’t think they realized that the kid might be in the balloon until after it took off. He had already gone to hide in the garage attic (apparently) and no one knew where he was. Then one of the other kids said he saw him climbing around under the ballon before it took off. Then crazy took over. Oh, okay, got it. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/209 "2009-10-16T18:43:25Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > In . . .and I have a hard time believing that the father is any kind of scientist. Actually, he’d fit in pretty well with most of the scientists I’ve known. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/210 "2009-10-16T19:11:12Z")
I do think some people are overanalyzing details of this situation that are not suspicious, but we’ll see. It’s possible this story happened the way the family says it did, and kids do sometimes ramble and spout nonsequiturs. The county sheriff said he’s convinced the family was really upset and Falcon told the truth about hiding on his own when he was interviewed separately. They may reinterview them, which would be a very good idea. ---
**Author:** ![pharris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f1d935/32.png) [@pharris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pharris)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/211 "2009-10-16T19:23:31Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I could tell you some stories about a few of the pioneers of the early hot air ballooning community. Crazy shit, involving makeshift oxygen storage systems consisting of glued together black plastic garbage bags & plastic tubing. good times, I’m sure! I’m glad you’re still with us. Interesting note (to me, anyway): The first manned hot-air balloon was launched in 1783. I am fascinated with this period in history, and highly recommend “The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science” by Richard Holmes. History Geek! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/212 "2009-10-16T19:24:44Z")
Yesterday, I was asked to get cable up on our boardroom video projector, and when I turned it on, it was early on in this story, with live footage of the weather balloon floating away. I stood there with my jaw hanging for about five minutes before deciding I couldn’t watch any longer and getting back to work. I don’t know if I’m getting oversensitive as I age, but the idea of it really upset me. When I heard that the couple were on _Wife Swap_ and noted how often the dad’s company was mentioned, I said that I _hoped_ it was a twisted hoax, but I was prepared to be really pissed off about it. Well, I’m really pissed off. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/213 "2009-10-16T19:34:16Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > And now that we know he wasn’t on the balloon, why are we even still hearing about it?It’s not news! Well, it’s the “the airport was shut down and the National Guard was mobilized for this?! WTF happened here?” kind of news, not the “little boy in mortal danger” news. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/214 "2009-10-16T19:38:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I do think some people are overanalyzing details of this situation that are not suspicious, but we’ll see. It’s possible this story happened the way the family says it did, and kids do sometimes ramble and spout nonsequiturs. The county sheriff said he’s convinced the family was really upset and Falcon told the truth about hiding on his own when he was interviewed separately. They may reinterview them, which would be a very good idea. The dad’s reaction after the kid was all, “You said we did this for the show” seems pretty suspect. Plus the fact that afterward, they pretty much refused to ask the kid any more questions and the dad getting all defensive even though Wolf Blitzer was just asking for a clarification seems odd. Oh, and Falcon getting sick when asked the question again. It could be innocent, but all of this, coupled with the family’s apparent love of publicity (the youtube video, being on Wife Swap twice) just makes me think that something is very off. ---
**Author:** ![jimpatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@jimpatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimpatro)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/215 "2009-10-16T20:10:06Z")
As mentioned, the key is: Dad must know the payload capacity (if any) of the balloon. So if the payload capacity is not enough to lift his kid thousands of feet in the air…HOAX. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/216 "2009-10-16T20:10:33Z")
I’ve decided if I have another kid I’m going to name him Falcon. And his middle name will be Awesome. Cause that would be Falcon Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/217 "2009-10-16T20:24:10Z")
I am basically 100% sure at this point that the father staged the whole thing. Its really despicable, not only the time and money and resources that were wasted as a result of his stunt, but the poor kid, his own kid, who he has used simply as a tool for his, his, whatever it is he’s getting out of it all. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/218 "2009-10-16T20:33:08Z")
After watching the home video the family took of the launch of the balloon I’m inclined to believe that the dad was pissed that the mom had not anchored the balloon probably and as it floated away and after he threw a fit he came up with the idea of saying the kid was in it to make sure that his balloon would be returned to him so he made the kid hide. He just didn’t think the story would blow up to this size. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/219 "2009-10-16T20:42:22Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > He just didn’t think the story would blow up to this size. Yes, I think he’s full of hot air. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/220 "2009-10-16T20:52:14Z")
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