Interesting to read all of above. I only fly in Europe and have done for past 12 years. I've been convinced for a while now that it's a much more hostile environment than years past I.e more jet streams, higher jet speeds and much larger cells than I can honestly recall. I would even say I fly more conservative nowadays and certainly confirm with ATC if their has been " ride reports " on our routing when checking in on a frequency ( based on forecast ). Sometimes F.o's look at me like I'm a paranoid fart but then I mention an old word from times gone by " AIRMANSHIP ".
