Second Entry (Empathy)

Write about something happening in the book that you relate to? How did you react?

For me it’s clear that I identify most with the brave main character, because first I’d like to become a jet pilot myself, and second because I admire very much his reaction to prevent a catastrophe that would probably have caused the death of 155 passengers and crew.

In a case of real emergency, you should think first of saving your own life and forget about how valuable the aircraft is.

[I always keep in mind a remark made by the fire chief at Sioux City Airport: “Either you manage the situation, or the situation will manage you.”] (page 185)

When I read this, I think of what I always say to myself:

“If you don’t take a decision yourself, somebody else will do it for you."
As a pilot, you can hardly afford to make a mistake, especially if you are sitting at the control wheel of the aircraft.

Only if you have the situation under control are you able to carry out precisely the next steps. Of course, the pilots have a checklist to make sure that nothing gets forgotten, but if you can’t concentrate, it doesn't work either.

(213 words)