Don't Trust That Piolt
While cruising at 40,000 feet, the airplane shuddered. Mr. Benson looked out the window and screamed, "Good Lord! One of the engines just blew up!" Other passengers left their seats and came running over. Suddenly, the aircraft was rocked by a second blast as yet a second engine exploded. The passengers were in a panic now, and even the stewardesses couldn't maintain order. Standing tall and smiling confidently, the pilot strode from the cockpit and assured everyone that there was nothing to worry about. His words and his demeanor seemed to calm most of the passengers, and they sat down as the pilot walked to the door of the aircraft. There, he grabbed several packages from under the seats and began handing them to the flight attendants. Each crew member attached the package to their backs. "Say," spoke up an alert passenger, "aren't those parachutes?" "Yep," affirmed the pilot. "But I thought you said there was nothing to worry about?" "There isn't," replied the pilot as a third engine exploded. "We're going to get help."
Originally published November 14, 2002.
