Do you have something to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at TheLog@balpa.org or contact us on social media Don’t ignore screening It is somewhat ironic that last November, I found myself in hospital, recovering from colorectal cancer surgery, and read Ian Haldane’s letter in the autumn edition of The Log. Like Ian, I am now minus my sigmoid colon. The good news is that the surgery was successful in completely removing the tumour and it hasn’t metastasised. Unfortunately, the histology of the removed tissue revealed that I had a stage three cancer, and some lymph nodes have been infected. Therefore, I am now on a three- to six-month course of chemotherapy. Unlike Ian, my tumour was discovered with the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme as I didn’t display any other symptoms, right up to surgery. This programme will be familiar to members who are over 60. It is sent out every two years and consists of a simple test kit that you complete at home. What have I learned from my experience? As I had no symptoms, my initial thoughts were that I had a stage one or two tumour at worst, so it was a huge shock to be told that I needed chemo. Clearly, one can have an advanced cancer and not have any symptoms. Without the screening, it doesn’t bear thinking about how far my cancer would have grown before it was discovered. So, when you receive your kit, don’t put it away in a drawer to complete at a later date. DO IT NOW! Paul Webster, TUI WHAT YOU’RE SHARING On tougher drone laws But how does moving the NFZ out to 5km make people already flouting the present 1km NFZ more likely to comply? Laws are for the law abiding. David Parkes In view of the fact that the drone hasn’t been discovered, in re-opening #Gatwick, I hope that commercial interests haven’t taken priority over safety. @F1Annie (Ann Lander) Government/Department for Transport need to listen to #BALPA about increasing 1km exclusion zones around UK airports and introduce drone counter-measures – like at some North American airports. @MPritchardUK (Mark Pritchard MP) Completely agree. However, I also think that drones, particularly the larger ones, can be a lethal weapon in the wrong hands. Public access to their purchase should be limited. Every other aspect of the use of the air is licensed. Why not drones? Graham Salmons On the sale of Flybe Hopefully growth and future employment. Great airline and now with Virgin and business prowess that comes with the partnership, hopefully good things for all involved... Chris Cameron Webster On the Lockerbie anniversary Was just airborne, climbing and heading east on the SID, GLA-AMS. Saw a flash and glow to the south. Then heard the radio call from the shuttle saying he could see fire on the ground. ATC replied that he was aware, but it wasn’t one of his. So, we knew it was an aeroplane, but not who. When we got to AMS we knew. I’ll never forget that night. Nigel Bradford The Log reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. Submission implies an acceptance of this condition. Over to you LETTERS MARCH 29