Originally Posted by
Octopussy2
Have only ever applauded once, and that was because the pilots bluddy deserved it! Landing at LGW in a nasty storm in October 2001, we were warned the approach would be nasty, it was, but they got us down. Topped off by an announcement from the flight deck: ''And the aircraft behind us" he said triumphantly "has gone around!"
Cue applause from a very happy and relieved planeload of pax.
I read this and the only thing I could think of was 'oh sh1t.'
Remember, there are old pilots and bold pilots but no old, bold pilots.
We regularly landed with 200 ft minimums and the airfield not in sight at one mile. We had confidence in our Captain and a particularly well lit and distinctive petrol station in an otherwise unlit countryside. Provided we flew over it at the right height and right direction we would be lined up for landing.
OTOH if conditions were also grobbly with crosswinds, rain and turbulence we knew he would always opt to divert.
With an unknown airline captain I would be distinctly unimpressed.