172 Driver : Your post 39 ; Your commercial pride might just get in the way of professional obligation. So, with the fog clear & the sun out, in you go for your third but ATC orders a GA for whatever. Are you going in for a fourth ? Fog cleared, sun out & boy oh boy, you just take pride in getting your pax & freight in. Oh dear.
I was questioning a "no third attempt, period, SOP". If the book says so, I guess I have to comply. I am a bit surprised to see someone defend it though (actually...not really surprised). Once in-flight you do what seems sensible with the fuel you've got onboard and if that means a third attempt now when there is a very probable chance of success, why not? Explain it well to your passengers. And why come up with the extremes, like ATC ordering a go around? That's beyond your control and a fourth attempt may very well be justifiable. Again, explain it well to your crowd - for the anxious ones.