Never had the opportunity. I bet it would be great though. I am limited to the occasional 'chop 'n drop' visual approach for my thrills. Sometimes the autopilot is even disengaged. ;)

If you want to be a trained ape, that is is exactly what you will be, nobody said anything about a superhero. It's just my opinion of what a pilot does best, your definition is different and that's fine.

Sensitive, aren't we? Piloting is a lot more than stick and rudder skills. That is just a small part of it.

But it is not some heroic act defying death and destruction and saving the cooing girls in the back either.

The airplane is a machine and the pilot flies it and manages the technology. No biggie if you ask me. I enjoy it and find it a constant challenge to always be the best pilot I can be. And I always strive for perfection. I am not yet bored with it.

But I don't overestimate my own importance or that of my job flying RJs.

PS - My buddy at United who is very senior on the 777 and a former Air Force pilot would himself think the 'trained ape' analogy was probably more proper than not.

Not sensitive at all, be all you can be, but your view of a pilot, and by extension yourself, as a bitching trained ape isn't the way I view things. Don't sell yourself short.

If you asked me what a good driver does best, my answer would have been along the same lines. I only have to demonstrate my ability to a large aircraft full of boxes most of the time, and I never hang out in Concourse F or any other concourse for that matter.

Well, you are lucky if you don't have to hang out in any concourses!! I learned long ago that flying passengers is a lot of hassle!

The day may yet come (probably will) when my knowledge and skills will prevail in a dangerous situation. In fact, they already have. I can think of several times in my 4000 hour career when only through teamwork and weather knowledge and system knowledge and skill did the flight end safely. The RJ can be a real handful to fly at times, especially in gusty, turbulent conditions which require engine/power management which can look like sawing a board more than flying a jet.

I do ***** a lot. But I also like my job and never let my attitude about my company affect my flying. That would be the height (or depth if you will) of unprofessional behavior.

I raise a beer to you Mr. Jungle, but we will have to agree to have a different view of our position.

Happy and Safe flying is all I wish for anyone here who is sincere! I do mean that too.

I don't think we disagree at all. Heres to you and may you have a happy New Year.

WHAT ARE PILOTS GOOD AT?

Reading the FREE USA Today at 39,000 feet

Jungle, maybe you should hang out in concourse F more often. A lot of chicks think that pilots are hot. :) I always check them out when I'm in the airport.;)

skygirl rocks, it helps to remind us of some of only remaining perks in the business, even if all thats left are fags and hags

I can't understand why more women don't hang out at the cargo ramp in Bogota, there are almost never any women there. Except the gateway manager and that security lady who's always trying to frisk me.