I met Jim Polehinke a couple of months ago. He's a very nice guy. I applaud him for the courageous fight that he is putting up in his physical and emotional recovery. It's easy to sit behind a keyboard and pick someone apart. A dose of humility in this business goes a long way. I can think of several accidents over the years that could have as easily been any one of us. Whether you're a high time pilot, low time, military, civilian, your currently flying fighters, or at the regionals, the majors, in a corporate outfit, a flight instructor or just flying around for fun, we can all have something reach up and bite us. We are all capable of making that one fatal error. If you truly believe that you're not, perhaps it's time to get out of this business.

Probably like the rest of you, I hope to fly a long career without putting so much as a scratch on one of my pax or a dent in an airframe. I start every rotation by asking the pilot that I'm flying with to please speak up if I'm doing something out of the ordinary or if I missed something. It never hurts to make a second call to ATC if either of us has even the slightest question regarding a clearance. You're not going to hurt my feelings.

Jim, God Bless you and I pray for your speedy recovery.

With much Respect,
Tomcat