Life ? On the Line
Yes – sounds like a fairly normal stressful few days. However, there is an antidote. You are the Captain. I well remember my transition from the right to the left seat and I was lucky. It happened at the time when most of the Captains were still the old wartime breed (doesn’t matter whether they were the winners or the losers). They told me that almost everyone will lean on you to do this, do that, change your mind, do what they want. I won’t repeat their exact words, but they all added up to F...O... with plenty of dramatics to bolster the whole scenario. Wonderful to behold.
This stood me in very good stead going frequently to Moscow in the days when their ATC tried to tell you what to do when confronted with major thunderstorms or almost every other problem. I always did what I wanted, not what they demanded. When delayed by security, I always told them to ring Crew Control and tell them why the flight would not go on time. When leaned on by despatchers not to take so much fuel, I told them to fly the aeroplane and I will let Crew Control know.
A military background helped. When you are entrusted with authority and learn to use it properly, gnats nipping your ankles might be a slight distraction, but that is all they are and they really add up to nothing. Be your own man!