lightning crashes, an old mother dies

On my way back from the OC, we stopped in Salt Lake City and took off in the middle of a thunderstorm. About 10 minutes into the take-off I notice a huge bolt of lightning outside my window.
The captain gets on the PA system and says "Uh, yeah ladies and gentlemen, I know that some of you saw the lightning and heard a pop. Yes, we were hit by lightning but dont worry, our entire plane is shielded and everything is okay, it's just a little annoying as the pilot when you're blinded for a second"

ANNOYING?? right.
So i went to go research what this "shield" that protected my plane was all about?

I found out that lightning regularly strikes airplanes. In fact, as far as anyone knows, the odds are that each airliner in the USA will be hit by lightning once a year. (this was my first bad year I guess?)

But, lightning has not caused an airliner crash in the USA or of a U.S. airline plane anywhere in more than 40 years.

These planes are made of aluminum, which is a very good electrical conductor. A lightning bolt's electricity flows along the airplane's skin and into the air. (like a magic carpet)

And apparantly the pilot was serious because the one and only danger is that the flash could blind the pilots for a few seconds, but even THAT has never caused a crash
*sigh*
so, now i'm a little more relieved to be flying back and forth in the upcoming winter. but here is a picture of a not so lucky plane to scare you a little.



and then there is tony blair who's plane was once struck. (probably by the wrath of Allah! muahahahah!!)