Similar kind of stuff happens all the time, where public institutions bear the cost and consequences of private enterprises. Good example of a not too dissimilar situation was Memorial Hospital during Katrina, where instead of sending private helicopters and rescue, the firm that owned the hospital opted to wait for “free” US government rescue.

Privatize the profits, but socialize the losses.

Sadly, this is the only logical conclusion of things that are run for profit. Here’s hoping the federated model proves more resistant in the long run.

Microsoft Flightsim for me. Pick a beautiful place, anywhere on Earth, and just explore. Even better if you do it in a glider: the only sound being the wind around you as you take in the view is incomparable.