Jump Seater

Sounds like a secret language code for something far far worse !

KE 747 ORD-ICN. Hit a patch of moderate turbulence over the Pacific. Not really super violent, just enough that the seatbelt sign came on, the FAs took their seats, and getting out of your seat would have been dicey.

So the white knuckle part? My toddler son was awakened by the turbulence and turns to me and says, "Daddy, I need to go potty. REALLY BAD."

He managed to hold on until the worst of the turbulence was over about 10-15 minutes (seemed like days) later and we started to sprint to the lav before the seatbelt light was turned off (I know, I know). One of the FAs started to object (politely -- this was a KE flight after all) but only got halfway through it before the pilot turned the seatbelt light off. We (or more specifically my son) made it to the lav OK. Good thing we did sprint, as there was quite a line when we came out.

One more: A normal landing at Culebra PR.

A call from wife while waiting for my connection in San Juan. "Have your camera out for the landing."

"OK. Why?"

"You'll see."

The landing strip is nestled behind mountains. The glide path is through a notch in the mountains. The notch is NOT aligned with the runway.

Pilot does a falling leaf (a fighter tactic) to line up, and brings us in light as a feather. My palms still sweat when I look at my video.

I would love to see that video.

while landing in oakland in a crosswind, the left side landing gear touched the ground and bounced 2-3 times before the right side came down and we actually landed.

on a stormy night taking off from denver, i experienced about 1 second of 0 g. it seemed to have no visible effect on the, ahem, surgically endowed woman sitting in my row.

on my first transpac on korean air, the plane felt it it was fighting ferrets, jumping and bobbing around so much i was afraid i'd get thrown out of my seat. yet the guy seated next to me kept eating his soup as if nothing untoward was happening, and didn't even spill a drop.

a few colleagues were flying a turboprop from crescent city to san francisco on a rainy day, and the ferrets were back in action. one colleague in particular said she was about ready to jump out if the plane kept shaking so much. i told her that this is normal, it happens all the time. her response: "remind me never to fly with you again!"

MANY years ago I hopped on a GP Express B1900 flight from Omaha to Minneapolis. Absolutely beautiful day and on the B1900 you can observe incredible views, left right and forward, as there is no cockpit door.

Upon approach to MSP, I hear the chatter up front, got localizer, radio settings, approach conversation, runway visual, etc etc; but, when I looked up front, the runway was NOWHERE to be found . . . until I glanced out the right hand window.

It was absolutely graceful and a combination of arousal and concern when you are sliding at a 30-40 degree angle upon approach. Pretty much gunning it into the wind at the right balance to maintain forward momentum. The landing was equally graceful, left main, rudder, spoil lift, right main and nose.

1000's of flights and I still remain impressed with what this crew did. Put 99% of folks in my seat and they would be terrified. Absolute beauty.

About ten years ago, I was on a Royal Air Maroc flight from Marrakech to Casablanca. It was extremely foggy with zero visibility on approach. We were about to touch down and I could just make out the runway below (not more than 10 meters) when the pilot applied full thrust and aborted. It felt like we didn't gain any altitude for a few seconds as I could still see the runway below. We finally gained altitude and flew back to Marrakech. After we landed, the captain announced that due to the zero visibility and miscommunication with the tower, he was about to touchdown more than halfway along the runway in Casablanca (which would have led to overrun) and aborted. Definitely a white knuckle moment.

15 years ago - April 3, 1986

We (TWA crew) get to the Athens Airport after an amazing layover, ready to take our 747SP home to JFK. Once we get to the A/C we hear about Flt#840 (FCO-ATH) that was bombed.

That put into shocking perspective why part of our job requirements back in the day were to tear apart the aircraft before each departure. It was no wonder that we had only 11 passengers on the flight to JFK.

Mine is a little different, in that the flight itself was a smooth one. It was the pre-flight that was a bit harrowing.

Anchorage - SEA, early 2003. Leaving after a difficult week of work. Plane is lightly loaded - maybe 30 people in Coach. I am in 10E with the row to myself. Young woman with baby across from me one aisle back, and only the bulkhead row of coach (7) is moderately full.

Almost ready to pull back from the gate, and I notice a mild commotion in front of me in the BH row. Female FA listens and leaves, Male FA returns in her place. Apparently 7D had boarded with a large folding knife on his belt. This is POST-9-11, and nobody noticed the knife. Had he just left it on his belt, it wouldn't have been a problem. But no. He takes off his boots and socks, opens his knife, and proceeds to give himself an amateur pedicure, right there on the plane. The commotion was because that made 7B uncomfortable. The FA asked the man to put the knife away until the flight was over. The man refused. Spidey-sense is now tingling slightly.

Male FA tells knife-man that if he won't put it away, he will have to leave it with the FA for the duration. KM refuses. FA says that if he won't, he will have to get the captain, and leave it with him. KM STILL refuses to cooperate. Spidey-sense is now on full alert. I have unbuckled my seat belt, raised the armrests, moved to the aisle, and have already figured out that if this guy goes nutso, I am the only person within 20 feet with a chance of dealing with him physically, and it ain't a real good chance. He wasn't very big, but his knife was. Though the Marine in me would do what was necessary to protect the people around me (especially the young woman with the baby), I am NOT looking forward to having to deal with a knife in close quarters.

I tell woman with baby to get against the bulkhead. Male FA goes to get the Captain. Captain comes out and repeats the request to give up the knife until the flight was over. KM still refuses. Spidey-sense in total tingle mode now. Captain says that since the cabin door was closed, he will have to pull back up to the gate and have police arrest KM if he won't give up the knife. KNIFE MAN STILL REFUSES TO COOPERATE.

I am way past spidey-sense, this is an Oh, CRAP help me Jesus moment. Male FA stands by while Captain brings plane the few feet back to the gate. A few minutes later, two cops come on board and, (to the amazement of us all) without incident, take the guy away in cuffs.

I have had a few rough flights, but nothing compares to that one.

Are you sure you got your maths right?

The 1986 part is correct. TW840 was 25 years ago.

It looks like a toy but it isn't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2A7pgdWHYs