ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Saint Barnabus of Danglemah has become tangled in his own flight upgrade furore this week after it was revealed that the former Nationals leader was offered and solicited upgrades from Regional Express Airlines.
Regional Express or “REX” as it’s known in certain parts, allegedly upgraded Mr Joyce to a class of travel unavailable to ordinary members of the public.
One separate occasions, the Member for New England was upgraded to “Barnaby Class”, which allowed him to lay down flat in the aisle of the airline’s cramped Saab 340 workhorses, operate in command of the aircraft under supervision and vape with reckless abandon.
It’s also alleged that Mr Joyce was ordered the plane to stop at the Walcha Road Hotel. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is investigating the incident where it’s understood by The Advocate that the aircraft landed on a straight section of the Oxley Highway near the Walcha Road turnoff and taxied to the front of the pub, where Mr Joyce picked up some cartons of Toohey’s New stubbies, a fresh pack of Peter Stuyvesant Filters and had a piss on the rear passenger tyre of the Saab, a legal requirement in NSW. CASA also says the most damning part of that incident was Mr Joyce standing behind the aircraft, while the props were still turning, causing the piss to be blown all over himself.
Mr Joyce’s office has denied the upgrades took place but did concede that vaping had occurred on scheduled REX flights and should the AFP chose to investigate that further, Barnaby would be happy to take part in them.
On the occasion where it’s alleged that Mr Joyce took control of the aircraft for a short time, CASA said the aircraft Mr Joyce was on engaged in a “rolling scissor” manoeuvre with another REX aircraft. At one point, one of the REX aircraft became inverted during a 3G barrel roll that caused a number of elderly passengers to lose consciousness. That was after Mr Joyce had coached them to clench their leg and abdominal muscles to help prevent the blood draining from their brains due to the G-forces. Both REX and Mr Joyce deny that took place.
The investigation contines.
More to come.
