A Very Sad Day (for me)

I watch all the episodes of "Why Planes Crash" on the Weather Channel and I am constantly amazed and saddened by how many NTSB findings are squarely in the corner of pilot error. What's even more horrible is the training conditioning of so many airlines for the copilot to NEVER question the captain's decisions or to speak up! Frankly, if I was sitting in the right seat and saw a mountain appearing in my front view that the captain's judgment or instruments claimed wasn't there, I'd say to hell with my training and wrench the controls away from him if it were possible to do so.
 

I watch all the episodes of "Why Planes Crash" on the Weather Channel and I am constantly amazed and saddened by how many NTSB findings are squarely in the corner of pilot error. What's even more horrible is the training conditioning of so many airlines for the copilot to NEVER question the captain's decisions or to speak up! Frankly, if I was sitting in the right seat and saw a mountain appearing in my front view that the captain's judgment or instruments claimed wasn't there, I'd say to hell with my training and wrench the controls away from him if it were possible to do so.

In 1981, United Airlines with the help of NASA, developed a protocol named, "Crew Resource Management" or CRM. United was the pioneer in starting this program, which is now used by every domestic and many foreign airlines. It allows for any member of the crew to speak up if they believe there are any issues involving safety or management of the crew. This protocol has already saved many accidents from happening and has allowed every member of the crew to feel empowered to alert the Captain to any safety or danger issues. The Captain still has the final say, EXCEPT, if the First Officer truly believes a real danger exists and the Captain fails to act on it, the F/O may take over the flying of the plane like in the incident that I posted earlier.
 
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You should be proud of your wonderful career.
May you enjoy the new stage of your life!:wave:
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Well, retirement from flying is not going too well. I find myself driving to the airport and watching the birds takeoff and land. I also go into United's employee's lounge and offices just to visit and talk with my former associates. I also bring up airport traffic control chatter on the computer just to listen to the ATC's and pilots communicating with one another. It's going to take time to get over not flying anymore. This is a new normal for me and I may not have prepared myself as much as I should have. My wife suspects something is wrong with me, but does not push the subject. I may need some therapy to get over my current condition. I think this is called, "Separation Anxiety."
 
Well, retirement from flying is not going too well. I find myself driving to the airport and watching the birds takeoff and land. I also go into United's employee's lounge and offices just to visit and talk with my former associates. I also bring up airport traffic control chatter on the computer just to listen to the ATC's and pilots communicating with one another. It's going to take time to get over not flying anymore. This is a new normal for me and I may not have prepared myself as much as I should have. My wife suspects something is wrong with me, but does not push the subject. I may need some therapy to get over my current condition. I think this is called, "Separation Anxiety."

You might need an automotive vacation to see sites from ground level..
 

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