Quote:
Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy
I have flown numerous "high profile" flights with officers of all ranks and political figures higher than General. I have turned back in flight due to mechanical issues and have canceled flights due to weather. At no point did I get any push back from anyone (except for one flight where the 3-star showed up late for the flight, and the 3-star's aide second guessed everything we did to get him back on time, but the aide just didn't understand).
Everyone else was disappointed in the bad news; however, I was professional and told them we've exhausted all avenues and that "it is not safe to continue flight or to go fly". All of them accepted my decision without question. After every one of these problem flights (except for the 3-star .... cough cough moseley cough cough), my crew and I received great praise from the distinguished visitor(s).
Does your scenario happen. Yes. Has it happened to me, no.
Agree with you 100%.
I'll start off by admitting that I'm an unabashedly Lean-Forward Officer when it comes to my Country's Defense. ESPECIALLY Post-9/11. And at times to the disappointment of my entire 17-Man Crew, I pressed the Mission for God & Country.
The American People pay me to exploit and exhaust ALL opportunities and resources at my disposal to put the airplane, aircrew, and load on target, on time, in one piece. It's their Mission, not mine. And that's exactly what I do. But on those many occasions in AMC when on time, on target, safely in one piece can't happen, for WHATEVER REASON IN MY OPINION as AC, not once have I ever gotten any pushback from any level of command.
In the '03 time-frame we had one malingering D-bag AC in my Squadron who would do anything in the World to avoid flying anywhere the shooting was going on. He pulled out the Safety of Flight Card one too many times for the TACC/OG. After that, there was a lengthy Decision-tree matrix that was humiliating and long, FOR EVERYONE. M. Semo was single-handedly responsible for that take-back of AMC Aircraft Commander Authority.