Shirl wrote:
Big John writes:
6 hours after crash cable TV here in Houston gave his name and rank
(Lt Cmdr) and photo. Just the drive by media showing respect (

Mxsmanic wrote:
Actually, I don't see any reason to withhold the information.
Sometimes the suspense is more stressful than the certainty.
And it relieves the other families of stress more quickly.

It isn't about withholding the info to create suspense. It is about
assuring that next-of-kind of the deceased have been contacted
"officially" before they hear it on TV, on the radio or see it online.

Essentially, it's basic courtesy, if nothing else. And there's also the possibility of a
misidentification, too, in which case you've messed up _two_ families, not just one. Mx,
I'm sure you would rather hear that your (insert friend/relative here) died from someone
you know, rather than first seeing it on the news.

I wish the media wouldn't be so gleeful about showing crash footage right after an
accident. Last year, a friend of ours stalled and crashed on takeoff. We found out it
was him, not from his family or friends, but from seeing the newshounds' picture of the
crash online.

(we miss you, Leo...)