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Old 26th Jul 2008, 00:48
  #221 (permalink)  
Intruder
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Seattle
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Unfortunately, the job of pilots and the job of journalists are exactly opposite:

The journalist's job is to turn a non-event into an event so he can get his byline on the front page or the TV news flash -- The checklist item 'Descend immediately to 10,000' or MEA' becomes "The airplane PLUNGED TENS of THOUSANDS of feet!"

OTOH, the pilot's job is to turn an event into a non-event, and make a normal landing at a good airport -- "What was that?!? Oops! Looks like we're losing pressure! "Loss of Pressurization checklist; squawk 7700, tell Control we're descending to 10; get clearance direct to Manila." Followed in a few minutes by by, "Good afternoon, folks. We have a problem, but it's under control. We'll be landing in Manila in a few minutes. We're a bit busy, but we'll have more information for you after we land. You can take off your oxygen masks now. Flight attendants, please prepare the cabin for landing."
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