These days it seems there are some many crises, it's impossible to survive a one of them. The credit markets, the energy crunch, the falling dollar, oh, and that Iran thing can depress anyone.
When you work in Public Radio (as I do), you're not immune to the effect public broadcasters -- who tend not to put anything on the air that won't leave you with a sense of despair -- have on this.
Ah, but this latest "crisis" is currently of the dead-tree folks. The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reports the future of crop dusting is, umm, up in the air. It seems there aren't enough kids coming along who want to to take over for the aging aviators.
If you want to see what it's like to be a crop duster, check out this YouTube video.
Having read the article, the main thing I come away with is that it is a parable for the long-term costs of protectionism. The guys doing the flying (and earning) now are reluctant to introduce competition into the market, with the cost being the potential demise of the industry.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I've always thought it would be a fun (yet dangerous) line of work. Far more kinetic than banner towing, for sure!
The footage of them dusting at night is chilling. The job looks fun until you get to that part. :-O
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