Originally Posted by
Annunciator
FlyAirJason- very well said, sir.
Just remember that you've been shown more support from your collueges than those that try to tell the story like they were sitting in the right seat that day. Then they decide it is their job to criticize your actions as they sit in their over-stuffed La-Z-Boy recliner typing away and stuffing their smug face with some left over galley snacks.
You made the best decision you could have that day. All PICs should be able to back you up by saying they would've done the same thing you did with the information you were given in that moment. What the company should be worried about are Captains, like Jetpartner, that are overly cocky (which is a weakness when it comes to aviation). One day his attitude will not only put himself in harms way, but the lives of everyone on that aircraft. I really hope that doesn't happen. THAT'S what should be criticized, not you and your actions.
When you make a decision based on safety you will always "be right no matter what".
The company should also be worried about captains who are afraid to execute the emergency procedures they were taught and trained to do. Allegedly, there was one recent instance where slides were deployed but the passengers were not evacuated. Was this hesitation out of fear? How much time does it take to evacuate 150+ souls from a smoke filled cabin?
Aborts, go-arounds, missed approaches, evacuations, you name it, captains must be nervous over there and first officers probably refusing the upgrade out of fear of getting snared in one of the webs G4 weaves. These are split second decisions that require clarity of thought and conviction, not doubt and fear of being second guessed by armchair heroes. The MD-80 is a complex, archaic and difficult plane to operate WHEN WELL MAINTAINED. Those guys deal with countless engine failures, air returns, smoke in the cabin, etc so their career fears are not unreasonable. I'm sure the opinion and rebuke expressed by Sky Gods are not shared by most G4 pilots.