This is so terribly sad.

Teetime, you don't have to apologise for mentioning God and his mercy. hug

Oh yes, we did rose!

Will they ever know? How could they really? They said they were talking normally beforehand. Haven't yet said what they talked about.

I hope it was a heart attack. No blame for anyone.

Oh yes me too jings But my suspicious mind can't help but wonder.

Also, why have they not released the TWO pilotS names?

From some reports the door would have to have been locked manually by the pilot in the cockpit to override the access code. If true, that would not be consistent with a heart attack unless he manually locked it (why?) and then had a heart attack.

I don't think it could have been a heart attack. The locked door is opened by a code that the crew use. It can be disabled by the pilots (or pilot if one is outside) so that terrorists cannot force a member of cabin crew to let them in. Why would you disable the access code if you need help because you are ill?

Perhaps we should all accept that this may be the end of cheap flights in Europe- as there is currently no requirement for 2 pilots to be in the cockpit at the same time for short-haul.

I read something similar grumppa

Ususally when there is a fatal air crash we see details of the pilots - family, career path etc., and praise from their employers. I think Germanwings are keeping things close to their chest because they have had their doubts from first knowledge of the crash.

Sorry grumppa. Crossed posts.

Exactly merlot. I do hope that this does not turn out to be an act of terrorism and that there is another explaination for the horrific events.

It is hard to let teetime's assertion go unchallenged (sorry Grumppa!) - god is offered millions of opportunities not to allow people to be in pain and apparently chooses not to do so. There is sadly no reason to think that this situation is any diiferent.

There seem to be only two possibilities: the co-pilot had a physical collapse or he was a suicide terrorist.

It is totally unnecessary to pick up on someone's mention of God on a thread such as this one. Have some respect. Both for the thread itself, and for the feelings of others.

Thank you Jing I have been deeply hurt by these remarks and considered myself to have been bullied just for saying I prayed these poor people didn't have a horrible end.

People often mention God on threads about sad events and no-one picks up on that, but I had to challenge the assertion that there would have been no pain because God is merciful.

Apologies to you Teetime if my remarks re God offended. We are all entitled to our own view.

I understood that.

Sorry you feel deeply hurt teetime - but I guess I also feel pretty hurt by the idea that a deity lets people suffer. Sorry for not being able to not feel that - if you see what I mean. It is not the mention of god, but the assumption that these poor passengers were spared any suffering. If that is your belief then it must be a great comfort - sadly it is not one I am able to share. I too hope that these poor people left this life with the minimum of distress, as I am sure we all do, whatever our beliefs, but it seems very unlikely, and this must be a dreadful burden for their loved ones to carry. My heart goes out to them.

Teetime but you didn't say any such thing about praying they didn't have an awful end,you said there would have been no pain!

All respect to the poster and to the feelings of others, jings and I hope that Teetime does not feel that she has been unfairly judged on this.

But - I have to say it - mishap is right and the consequences of this event will have been exactly the same as the consequences of any similar event. It was the talk of mercy that took me aback - it was as though the fate was deserved but perhaps could be lightened if God willed it. I know that "mercy" is God-speak for divine intervention but it does sound . . . . "pious"? . . . in this context of horror.

Don't go away, Teetime

If this is an accident then the families and loved ones of those who died will be grief stricken, but won't experience the horror of having their loved ones murdered. It's so hard to bear the knowledge that a life was deliberately ended and I feel for every one of those people who will possibly have to live with this.

There's no point in committing an act of terrorism if you don't tell the world that you've done so therby letting them know what your grievance is?

Having read my post I now see that I left out 'I' - have faith so that's my fault and I can now see how I may have been misunderstood- it was not meant to tell anyone else to 'have faith' I am no evangelist. Still I expect none of you ever make mistakes in your postings do you so that's all right then?

Just confirmed that the co-pilot acted deliberately and caused the crash.