Originally Posted by
Smilin_Ed
"When I was flying I clearly recall the startle effect when receiving an ATC instruction to go-around on a least two occasions when I least expected it!"
"Startle" ??? Why would you be startled? Things happen and you should be ready to respond. Unless you are down to your last teacup of fuel, going around should not startle. Pilots are supposed to be cool and handle the situation.
Easily said, but when something happens suddenly and unexpectedly, there will always be a moment or two before training kicks in, no matter how experienced the pilot. That's especially true at the end of a long overnight sector, when everyone's tired. It's also the time when pilots are most likely to make a mistake, particularly if the procedure has not been mentally rehearsed in advance. Pilots are human, not machines.