Generally, I agree with Paco about what exists for the guidance of wise men; but I also believe that there was not, and is not, an intent to have rules be hand-cuffs. I also had a pretty plain talking instructor that taught me a lot about flying who used to say “the book never landed the airplane.” I, too, would not want to 2nd guess the guys at Sioux City (or any other place); I don’t mean to suggest that everyone add a little “cowboy” to their thought processes; and I certainly cannot say that what is taught routinely today is worthless or a waste of time; but I do think that sometimes we’re caught in the grip of “rote” operations … which, at times, may be unnecessarily limiting.
