And all this time I thought it was DENTIST...

And what oversight it is that you haven't blown another gasket yet! I am so proud of you CargoBob. I thought you'd be the first to rush into here and tear Dr. Ed a new one!

Progress!

Actually Doc, I am more than twice that old, and flying is not my first career. A side comment about the C-421, like most piston twins, single engine performance is less than stellar making it unforgiving of careless pilots.

However, you are correct: we don't [I]actually[I] know how you fly. But no matter how well you manipulate the airplane, the tone and words of your comments about how simple it is to be a pilot demonstrates to me that you have the wrong attitude about flying. An important trait in anyone who flies is humility, because a humble pilot knows the limits of his aircraft and of himself. Pilots think they can do anything, often try unsuccessfully. I would rather trust my family to a 100 hour private pilot who knows when to say when, than a gazillion hour pilot who [I]knows[I] he is Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, and Patty Wagstaff all rolled into one. You sound closer to the latter.

To revisit your comment abut "not being anybody's copilot," even if one were capable of being a 747 captain without experience, no insurance company would cover him without going up through the ranks. They know the risk is too great. The airlines agree.

I have been watching this thread with interest and for the entertainment factor and have attempted not to make a post. But I have succumbed to the temptation.

Initially Ed, it seemed your post was sincere no matter how misguided and how little thought you put into who your audience was. But from there you thouroughly displayed your lack of respect for pilots and a profession we all love. You have portrayed the job of a professional pilot as one which a retarded monkey could accomplish. Surely a monkey could flip a single switch if instructed to do so and I should hope with the necessary training it could get the captains coffee order correct. (no no, I said two sugars!!)

Your lack of respect for all pilots is astounding whether it be professionals from a major or regional or the professional!!! 19 year old CFI flying C421. Although, I am reletively young and starting my aviation career, I know you never stop learning in aviation and you can certainly learn lessons from anyone flying a plane no matter who you are or how much experience you think you have. Correct me if I'm wrong but even the CFI earned his certs by the same FAA you did.

As with any pilot, each undoubtedly has a touch of ego and the "I can do it" attitude. But I would like to think most check that at the cabin door. In the end we are ultimately responsible for the lives of each passenger on each flight. Thats a mindboggeling number when you think of that over the course of a long distinguished career. To tell you the truth I cant think of a single person in the world that would appreciate your "self assured attitude and capability" I know I wouldnt want to have surgury from a person who was just really confidant they could cut into me the right way. Cockeyness does not equate to capability!! I want the guy who is responsible enough to make the right decision and be safe. but thats just me.

Being a major airline captain isn't something you just decide to do cause you were bored with your old job. Its something you earn by paying your dues and being a professional. This isnt the lunch line in 4th grade anymore, but if you want I can tell you - no cuts no butts no coconuts. The men and women in those positions posess much more skill than just holding and alt. or flying the localizer. They have the necessary intangibles from years of flying with the airlines - yes even as the FO.

As pilots we are the surgeons of the sky. It might help if you looked at it from that perspective. Flying is as serious as surgury, maybe you should give the profession and its professionals the same respect as a patient.
-exxcalibur

well said exxcalibur, couldnt agree with you more. I have a lot of respect for pilots, you guys have a lot of responsibility on your hands. In medicine and aviation there is very little room for error.

You guys gotta stop wasting your emotional energy on Dr hangnail. Trust me on this, He's Browntail. Look at public perception of pilots thread and notice how his thread digresses. He starts out beligerent attempting to (succeeding) raise hackles. He used to work at ABX and now works at UPS. He had some sort of head injury (no kidding) and may or may not be on disability. His good buddy at ABX told us who it is. BTW, no one liked him at ABX and I heard they don't like him at UPS. Not to make light of the PA Amish situation, but this guy strikes me as someone capable of that kind of insane behavior. Do yourselves a favor and go with your gut instinct. He's no MD, he just needs several.

No, I say we keep egging him on....This is my new favorite reality TV show !!!

Didn't John Travolta try this before? As I recall, after he learned what it takes to make it to the left seat in a transport jet, he decided to BUY his way into the club. Be PURCHASED a 707, PURCHASED his type rating, HIRED a 707 crew and support personnel, PURCHASED a uniform, and HIRED a photographer to capture it all on film in his shinny new Captain's outfit.

You see doc, at the airline level you are no longer a customer buying a citation. No longer a PAYING customer at Flight Safety that they will coddle and spend unlimited resources on. No longer a pampered consumer who can do no wrong as long as you are paying for it.

Airline pilots are professionals who EARN the right to be at the commuter or regional level for years before given the opportunity to be at the majors in the engineer's seat, then the First Officers seat, and finally the Captain's seat IF they have the education, experience and skill sets the JOB requires.

Start filling out applications to any and all airlines that you can think of. A year from now, when those same airlines have not sent a single response, you will begin to understand.

Excellent post, Exx!

You just reminded me of a saying I told all of my students here at Altus; it applies everywhere, I think..

"You should learn something on every flight, just try not to learn too much on your checkride."

Dave