ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

The nation’s property owners don’t take many unnecessary risks, whether they be financial or physical – now they’re being forced into taking one.

Qantas has admitted that a number of their 737 workhorses have hairline cracks in a critical structure that keeps the wings attached to the fuselage.

While the wings actually coming off during flight is an almost incalculably small risk, it’s still possible.

But it’s a risk worth taking, says one Betoota Grove businessman.

Peter Tucker owns six property around town and told The Advocate today that he’d rather die screaming in an inverted, wingless Qantas 737 than suffer the indignity of flying on a low-cost carrier.

The 67-year-old can’t even recall the time when he wasn’t a Qantas Club member. A time when it took upwards of 40 minutes to get through security.

“Airports are a man-made hell,” he laughed.

“But Qantas makes it a lot easier. I’ve been to the Virgin Lounge and it’s full of new money and people in thongs. Nobody there would understand the responsibilities and hardships of inherited wealth,”

“I don’t invest my money anywhere with any real risk. Neither does Warren Buffett, read his book. I look for companies with a solid economic moat and I invest. I guess you could say the biggest risk I’m willing to take in life is flying with Qantas!”

More to come.

