So California is being ripped apart by earthquakes, thousands dead and injured and what was a rescue pilot doing? Helping his soon to be ex wife and smokin' hot daughter. Screw everyone else!
And while they were taking their joy trip to S.F. why weren't his bosses jumping on the radio or phone telling him to help others instead of taking in the scenery....?
Since he is flying a LA Fire Dept. evac. helicopter, dispatchers would have absolutely been calling him to multiple rescues. So he must have turned off those calls when he decided to go after his ex-wife.
You might argue, that since he crashed shortly thereafter, there would not be an investigation into his behavior. However the site of the crash—on the way to San Francisco rather than in LA—would raise questions, and I expect he would be forced to quit, or face being fired.
Having said all that, if I had his skills, I would have done everything the same up until the point he spoke to his daughter when she was safe in the electronics store. At that point I would have turned back towards LA. Of course he would still crash from the damage, and then he would be free morally (at least) to go to San Francisco, even if that meant "borrowing" (stealing) a vehicle or three on the way.
And an airplane, and speedboat. I hope the owners didn't plan to use them to save their families.
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And an airplane, and speedboat. I hope the owners didn't plan to use them to save their families.
Right on, I guess she learned that you worry about yourself first from her Father. That's what I found irritating about the movie, he's a selfish prick but he risked his life for the girl in the beginning. I suppose he's got some sort of guilt complex from his failure to save his other daughter.
shareThe fire truck was all burned out and abandoned, and everyone was running in one direction. I don't think anyone was coming back for it.
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Even without the helicopter, he was still rescue personnel, even if only on foot. He would not necessarily be 'free' to go. They may have wanted as many as possible to stay put.
shareI thought the Rock would use some secret 9-1-1 # to get some delivery food dropped for him & wife, daughter & friends I mean, they were very hungry - Rock couldn't focus on the family cookout after all the water came flooded in.
I mean, at least he could have booted to 2 brits from his boat.
So you think he's selfish but for some magical reason you don't think his wife is selfish?
shareWell at least he was rescuing somebody!
It's that man again!!
You must not be parents because you put your kids above everything and anyone even your own life. That's what parents do. I would everything falling down around me my priority would get my kids to a safe place.
shareWho said it wasn't understandable? Sure, it's a natural reaction. However, that doesn't make it less selfish or unprofessional. Even if it's a tough situation. But that's the duty of emergency personnel, military staff, etc.: they have to put their own interests, even their own life behind their mission. If you sign up for those jobs, you are aware of that. Which makes it a rather crappy move to just run away the first moment you or your family are in trouble. Particularly if you even steal desperately needed rescue equipment while doing so.
Which gave the whole story a rather shady twist, even more since the main characters are all portrayed as noble heroes of highest integrity. Also, it felt indeed weird that he was receiving phone calls from his family directly into his helicopter but not a single soul from emergency services, flight control, etc. ever attempted to contact him..
No no no. What you are all forgetting is that this is work of fiction. Whether it be bad or good no LA emergency personnel would take off.. with their ex wife to find their hot daughter... in the midst of a crisis... in a helicopter. In real life they would fly directly up the coast and not turn inland to Bakersfield. Because as we all know Bakersfield is the most direct path from LA to San Francisco as the fault line lies, right? Right? Just like that there can be no earthquakes that big in California. Nevada maybe, Alaska definitely but ones that big in California uh no. Just another movie director who had a beef with San Francisco and wanted to wipe it off the map. We know IRL that even the biggest quake in California, half of the city would still be standing and not under 100 feet of water.
Rule #2: Double Tap
Rule #32: Enjoy the little things
The flight from LA to San Francisco to save a child is only surpassed in the history of movie ludicrousness by Dennis Quaid going from DC to New York during a historic blizzard in The Day After Tomorrow. Walking through New Jersey in sub-freezing temperatures.
Maybe we should be heartened that you would let your genetic material vanish from this Earth.
That said, the Quaid trek was beyond ridiculous.
Sometimes it is selfish depending on what's at stake. Also, people react differently depending on what sort of child is killed. When parents kill their disabled children they automatically get more understanding.
shareI think having:
1.) A smoking hot wife and
2.) A smoking hot daughter
got the best of El Rocko's brain!
Plus, he must have missed the "When Disaster Strikes, You're Supposed to Stay in L.A. and Actually Rescue People from L.A. Since You Work for the L.A. Fire Department" Talk.
I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP! - Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood
That wasn't his 2.5 million dollar Bell helicopter.
If he was the commander of that helicopter, he could either abandon his post and take his chances with his pick-up truck, or wait for command orders from the LAFD to deploy in LA. He committed dereliction.
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What's selfish about deciding to go to rescue your family, especially when your life has been destroyed because you lost another child, one you couldn't save?
You know who were ordered to ignore the needs of their families and pursue their duties regardless of what was happening to their loved ones? The Nazi officers in the German army at the end of WWII. Those officers were also ordered to shoot enlisted men who might try to desert to go their families.