The Heavy Cross of Being an Airline Pilot!
A Frequent Flyer’s Perspective and gratitude! A few days ago, a friend of mine sent me an article on WhatsApp that supposedly came from a pilot about the recent air disaster involving AI 171. It said the pilots had just about 30 seconds between takeoff and impact — and it ended with the haunting line: “The last 15 of those seconds were spent knowing these were their last.” It was heartbreaking to read that last bit and in the cacophony and finger pointing that is so the case when a catastrophe happens, understand where it was coming from. No part of this post is meant to suggest that the latest air disaster involving AI 171 was due to pilot error — at least not until the full investigation is complete. If anything it is to express my gratitude to the men and women who carry that responsibility. However, that does not take away from a larger truth: Being an airline pilot is one of the most demanding and unforgiving professions in the world, worthy of nothing but the highest r...