Customer Reviews

Unfriendly Skies: Revelations of a Deregulated Airline Pilot

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I too am an airline pilot and I bit my tongue several times reading this book. Captain X's style of writing and view of the airline world embarassed himself and the entire piloting profession.
Among the problems that airline pilots deal with daily is showing up for work and finding out that you're going to spend the next 3 or 4 days locked in a little room at the pointy end of an airplane with a Captain (or co-pilot) "X" who is wrapped a little too tightly and/or doesn't take his discharge from the military seriously.
Perhaps you remember in the movie "Top Gun" where Tom Skeritt's character informs Tom Cruise that his attitude is "a bit arrogant" considering the company he's in. Cruise responds, "Yes sir." Skeritt then beams back, "I like that in a pilot". Well, maybe that works at MCAS Miramar and it certainly works on the big screen, but it does not work in an airline cockpit. Yet that is precisely the perspective from which Captain "X" writes.
In the late '80's/early '90's, one major US carrier was enduring one incident after another. It became such a regular occurence that the FAA actually involved itself in that airline's hiring process. Highly unusual. The end result? Fewer Captain X's being hired. My guess is that this Captain "X" flies for that same carrier.
If you want an airline pilot's perspective on terrorism, delays, shutdowns, bankruptcies, etc. ask one who won't seek you out at the airport or social events and start telling you how he taught both Chuck Yeager & Charles Lindbergh everything they knew or how he graduated in the top ten at the Academy. And for Pete's sake, don't feed this guy's ego (or his wallet) by reading or buying this book.

great book to read just not when your flying; a real wake up call

I find this book an embarrassment to those of us in the airline profession. No wonder Captain X refuses to use his real name.

This book is less about revelations of the deregulated airline industry than simply the retelling of some tired old industry anectdotes and mostly an opportunity for Captain X to pound his chest about what a great pilot he is.

Captain X pats himself on the back for ordering his drunken copilot off their flight when they land in their base. A responsible pilot would never have allowed an intoxicated copilot to have flown to the base in the first place but Captain X excuses this because he (Capt. X) was at the controls. The underlying theme here and throughout the book is that despite the fact that Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed certified their aircraft to be operated by 2 and 3 pilots, only one is needed when Captain X is at the helm.

Captain X seems to be of the opinion that unless you are a male above average height then you are limited in your abilities. That's why, in another example of his "superior" judgement, he deemed that because his copilot was a female and his engineer only 5'7" that only he was capable of sqaushing a disturbance in the coach cabin. What's amazing here is that he left this crew that he deemed physically challenged in charge of the aircraft. He doesn't say so in the book but I'll bet he left the aircraft on autopilot with instructions that neither of them touch anything in his absence.

Captain X also expresses an attitude that unless you are Air Force trained and flying for a major airline then you have no business in the sky. He disparages those who pursue aviation out of passion -- the general aviation sector -- as a nuisance taking up good airspace and endangering his life and livelyhood.

My favorite "revelation" by Capt X was the wager involving sex in which the flight attendants bet him that he couldn't land and taxi to the gate without causing the open toilet lids in the aircraft's 4 lavatories from falling shut. He then explains how he made a flawless landing and taxied in ever so gingerly but had to slam on brakes just inches from the gate because of a ramp agent's abrupt signaling. He expresses such dismay at losing the wager due to no fault of his own. Apparently no one ever told Captain X that this is one of the oldest jokes in the book; the flight attendants are poised in each lav to slam down the toilet lids before the plane rolls to a stop -- smooth or abrupt.

If you're looking for revelations about the airline industry, then this is not the book. Never trust a source that won't reveal his or her identity. Just think of the purchase price as a check to the Captain X Ego Fund.

As a pilot, and a frequently-flying airline passenger, this book spoke to me from both sides of the cockpit door. The author makes revalation after compelling (and surprisingly, often entertaining) revelation about the world of deregulated airline transportation that the flying public knows nothing about. If you (or someone you love) flies on the airlines, then this is a must read. For an extra kick, read it on your next flight! It make the realism that much more intense. Note to the publisher: How about another printing of this rare one

I read this book years ago on the recommendation of an airline pilot who thinks he knew the author who remains annonymous! I rate this book a "must read" for it's timeless insight into all areas of the air traffic business. Read this and your air travels will be on your terms and with certainty. Exposes loopholes and pitfalls, and explains how the savvy flier can avoid them.

This is an excellent book that describes in great detail how the airline industry operates. This book was published in 1989 and is still quite up to date. My only gripe about it was that there was nothing that talked about dispatchers, gate agants or any of the many others that are behind the scenes of an airline flight. However, the book will still give the traveler a more thorough understanding of the "ins" and "outs" of airline flying.

I see that I am credited with writing a Really poor book. I am Captain Brian Power-Waters. My first airline book was Safety Last. I was given the name CApt X by my publisher, they said it would sell more books if it was so hair rasing that I wold not use my real name. That is not what I wanted,and the publisher assured me the second printing would have my real name. I was the original CApt -X This author stole my name and also the title from a great author Rodney Stitch,who has written many books under the title of Unfriendly Skies.
The author Reyonalds Dodson was fed a lot of bogus incidents. Real airline captains do not chastise their co pilot for making a mistake, What ever mistake that is made ,is always the responsibility of the captain ,no matter who is flying.
This bogus author would have you believe that all we do up fron is have sex with the stews.I have flown wit 2 scheduled airlines, and although your thoughts about those beauties in the back,it is not goinge to happen.
I have tried for years to get my name deleded from the above trashy book. It is just impossible.

Capt Brian Power-Waters
USAirways Ret

This book is like a personal add in the paper, it promises far more then it delivers. I was looking for a bit more on the real scary and scandalous side, 50% of pilots drunk etc. a kind of Kitty Kelly on the airline industry. It did not give me this type of scandal sheet reading, but it did offer an excellent detailed account of how the airline industry operates. This detail was very interesting and if you fly, will make you understand some of the things we have to do just to get to that meeting. The writing was ok, more like a casual conversation which given the subject matter made for an enjoyable book. If you are interested in this industry then I would suggest this book.