And therein lies the problem - if he sees the risk he should make the decision, not push it downwards to where career and report pressures are much higher. Additionally, if the CO is a decent guy, his underlings are more likely to get the job done so as not to disappoint him.

Tis,

As I got older and learned more (usually by scaring the poop out of myself), I cut that Rule much closer to Zero Things wrong.

More likely, I was lowering the Standard by which I identified things that were "Wrong" by being more sensitive to Risks in general.

One thing for certain....I learned to say "NO!"....then when the argument started I explained my reasons exactly once and after that the harder I was pushed to go, the shorter my response became.

If it was a Chief Pilot or someone above my position in the Food Chain....the retort was always...."The Keys are in it Asshole....take the aircraft and have at it!"

Not once did the guy applying the pressure ever take me up on that offer.

I have seen another Pilot and Co-Pilot take the Flight...but never had any negative repercussions as a result of saying "No" as the Chief Pilot knew he was in the wrong for doing what he doing.

When you do have that Ops Manual to fall back on....makes it easy.

All through my flying Career I had plenty of help in trying to kill myself....but just like Jimmy Durante, I always objected to others getting into the act.