What's your Worst/Scariest experience flying cargo?

Flysher · January 27th, 2006, 20:28

You got it folks. Let's here the time that scared the ##### out of you the most, the closest call with the grim reaper that you have had flying freight.

* Hops into recliner with bowl of popcorn and soda *

bluelake · January 28th, 2006, 01:02

You serious? I'll tell you then.

It was the time I was SO late getting into MHR (Sacramento, CA) that I thought UPS would want me to continue to fly the volume all the way to Ontario, Ca. Potentially No 9:00PM burrito for BlueLake!!!!

Of course, there might be other scary stories... but they bump up against FAR's and decisionmaking.. dont wanna post that here as easy as that!!!

ahaahaha just kidding.

I've NEVER been scared doing 135 freight.. I have been nervous and sometimes ancious.. but NEVER scared. Best job I ever had so far!

EatSleepFly · January 30th, 2006, 13:14

Not until I retire, am on my deathbed, or quit flying.

Actually in a year and almost 1000 hrs. of freight flying now, I haven't scared myself too badly. Maybe I'm too stupid.

jrh · January 31st, 2006, 05:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluelake

I've NEVER been scared doing 135 freight.. I have been nervous and sometimes ancious.. but NEVER scared. Best job I ever had so far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

I haven't scared myself too badly. Maybe I'm too stupid.

This actually brings up a point I've wondered about before.

Do you think most pilots (not only freight, but other types) reach a point where they simply don't get scared, no matter what? When they've been flying long enough and experienced enough that fear is "flushed out" of their system?

Or maybe it's not so much that being scared is impossible as it is that pilots equate "being scared" with "almost panicking"...and real pilots don't panic. It seems like pilots who have flown for a few years are very calm, levelheaded people. They have the type of personality that doesn't freak out for anything. For whatever reason, they don't have a sense of being straight-out scared...only nervous or anxious.

Stone Cold · January 31st, 2006, 12:00

It's more experience than not being scared. I haven't come close to seeing it all, but I've seen more than most pilots that go straight from CFI to jets, since I get the privilege of staying in the wx all the way (10k' and below is where we fly our props), and flying a/c that might have problems eventually.

I've had some definite pucker factor, but nothing that I'll put on an internet forum

. Over adult BEvERages, I might get to telling some stories, but most of them are made up anyways.

Being a cargo pilot is like being a fisherman, the stories get bigger and bigger the more times you tell them.

EatSleepFly · January 31st, 2006, 17:34

Quote:

Do you think most pilots (not only freight, but other types) reach a point where they simply don't get scared, no matter what?

No. Of course there's some pucker factor in moderate or worse turbulence flying an airplane that was born before I was with over 20,000 hours on it. Or doing an NDB approach in crappy weather that takes you down into a bowl between mountains that you can't see. Or ice... None of that scares me, but it makes me sit up and fly right. I'm scared of spiders crawling on me, scared of what Bush is doing to our country, and scared of crazy women (among other things, I'm sure). I may scare myself #####less flying one of these days, I just haven't yet.

Texasspilot · January 31st, 2006, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfleisher

the time that scared the ##### out of you

The other day I was hungry on the way to the hanger I stopped at a racetrack and bought a burrito appropriatly labeled the "BOMB".....an hour later 40 minutes out I was starting to get pretty scared.

greaper007 · February 7th, 2006, 17:39

So thunderstorms and icing don't scare you guys?

bluelake · February 7th, 2006, 20:19

When I began flying freight, I thought of situations or experiences that would scare me. and of course, they are still there, like fire or wing spar failure, etc.. but in day to day flying, lot less of "scared" and more and more of "concern" when things seem difficult. There have been times I have absolutely felt like it was time to be "ON TASK", but overall not too bad.

When flying scheduled freight runs, as many of us do.. much mental work becomes routine. The routes, times, approaches, airports, equipment.. so when something DOES come along that seems scary, it can be relatively easy to deal with because most factors are known.

For example.. severe turbulence or icing on a night freight run... sure you'll be nervous but more than likely you have all the radio and navs tuned in from memory and you already know the approach, etc.. so you have 90% of your brain to allocate to managing your emotion! I remember a time
I was dealing with a headwind and icing up pretty bad, it was night over mtn terrain blah blah blah (actually it was). My main concern at the time was the lousy groundspeed and getting to the UPS Gateway late. Getting to freight hubs late.. THAT STILL SCARES ME!!

Maximillian_Jenius · February 8th, 2006, 03:38

flying without a slaved compass...scary!

Hootie · February 8th, 2006, 16:04

Its weird because when it is happening, it seems really bad and scary, but later on you remember it as fun or good experience.

Mountain Flying · February 8th, 2006, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by txpilot

It's more experience than not being scared. I haven't come close to seeing it all, but I've seen more than most pilots that go straight from CFI to jets, since I get the privilege of staying in the wx all the way (10k' and below is where we fly our props), and flying a/c that might have problems eventually.

I've had some definite pucker factor, but nothing that I'll put on an internet forum

. Over adult BEvERages, I might get to telling some stories, but most of them are made up anyways.

Being a cargo pilot is like being a fisherman, the stories get bigger and bigger the more times you tell them.

You single Pilot IFR?

n57flyguy · February 8th, 2006, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie9750

Its weird because when it is happening, it seems really bad and scary, but later on you remember it as fun or good experience.

Like pranks

I have 0 hours, but hopped right on to fly a GV simulator, and yes I was nervous but would I pass that up? Never.(bragging rights included

) Not just flying, but every day things that may be scary, sometimes turn out to be fun and a good expierience.

greaper007 · February 8th, 2006, 21:01

N57, I'm not sure how flying a GV simulator is synonmous with flying around level 3+ thuderstorms in a plane not equipped with weather radar. Or flying through heavy icing with no where to go.

bluelake · February 8th, 2006, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie9750

Its weird because when it is happening, it seems really bad and scary, but later on you remember it as fun or good experience.

FOr me it was/is the opposite. It was imigining bad things made me scared. When I was actually DOING it, it never seems so bad after all....

n57flyguy · February 8th, 2006, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by greaper007

N57, I'm not sure how flying a GV simulator is synonmous with flying around level 3+ thuderstorms in a plane not equipped with weather radar. Or flying through heavy icing with no where to go.

I see your point, I was just stating that it takes balls to step up to the plate for a challange. Like me, as in my expierience going from 0 hours to a hand flown ILS in fog. Took some thought, but when I was doing it I didnt even think about it, just did as I was told. What you metioned, does take guts and I admire you guys for that.

averyrm · February 11th, 2006, 05:58

It is kind of odd how the first few times you're in some decent icing you're somewhat nervous about it, hitting the boots all the time and checking the wings every other second.

But after awhile, you're just mad because it's making you slow and annoyed that you have to "do stuff" like blow the boots.

mnixon · March 23rd, 2006, 18:27

Looking at the groundspeed at 110 with 135 miles to go, and prairie doggin it! I'm tellin ya kids, that's terrifying!

Stone Cold · March 23rd, 2006, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain Flying

You single Pilot IFR?

Sorry, didn't see this question sooner...yes, I am.

meritflyer · March 23rd, 2006, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by n57flyguy

I see your point, I was just stating that it takes balls to step up to the plate for a challange. Like me, as in my expierience going from 0 hours to a hand flown ILS in fog. Took some thought, but when I was doing it I didnt even think about it, just did as I was told. What you metioned, does take guts and I admire you guys for that.

Are you for real? Hand flying an ILS in fog in a simulator? Try it for real with one engine feathered which was my worst experience going into KSNA down to mins after I had catastrophic left engine failure at 11,000 feet in IMC in a C310. No disrespect meant bro but, there is no one to tell you how and when to do what in the real world of flying.

One day I'll share the story with you.

BobDDuck · March 24th, 2006, 00:11

Not a freight dog, but I've had a few things go wrong now. It's like BlueLake was saying. As it was actually happening it was more of an annoyment. I felt like I had to step up what I was doing to deal with/fix the problem. Afterwards, once it was all over, you start to think about it and your mind goes into "what ifs". Some of them end up better then the actual outcome and some end up worse. It's the ones that end up worse that scare me.

n57flyguy · March 24th, 2006, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by meritflyer

Are you for real? Hand flying an ILS in fog in a simulator? Try it for real with one engine feathered which was my worst experience going into KSNA down to mins after I had catastrophic left engine failure at 11,000 feet in IMC in a C310. No disrespect meant bro but, there is no one to tell you how and when to do what in the real world of flying.

One day I'll share the story with you.

I said It took balls to do that, even though it wasn't real.

I admire you guys for doing that, just thought my comment might be appreciated here. Didn't mean to offend anyone.

EatSleepFly · March 24th, 2006, 13:28

Don't worry N57, meritflyer just wanted everyone to know what a ##### hot stick he is because he had an engine failure. And to do that, he had to put you down. Sad. Wonder how his instructor handled it?

n57flyguy · March 24th, 2006, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

Don't worry N57, meritflyer just wanted everyone to know what a ##### hot stick he is because he had an engine failure. And to do that, he had to put you down. Sad. Wonder how his instructor handled it?

Burnnnnnn! Thanks!

meritflyer · March 25th, 2006, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

Don't worry N57, meritflyer just wanted everyone to know what a ##### hot stick he is because he had an engine failure. And to do that, he had to put you down. Sad. Wonder how his instructor handled it?

I wish my instructor would've been there. Not a hot stick pilot ESF, but better than you

January 27th, 2006, 20:28	#1
Flysher Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LCK Posts: 451	What's your Worst/Scariest experience flying cargo? You got it folks. Let's here the time that scared the ##### out of you the most, the closest call with the grim reaper that you have had flying freight. * Hops into recliner with bowl of popcorn and soda *

January 30th, 2006, 13:14	#3
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Not until I retire, am on my deathbed, or quit flying. Actually in a year and almost 1000 hrs. of freight flying now, I haven't scared myself too badly. Maybe I'm too stupid. __________________

February 7th, 2006, 17:39	#8
greaper007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Hartford, Ct Posts: 1,128	So thunderstorms and icing don't scare you guys? __________________ <<<<<Hunter S. Thompson extends the Gonzo concept to flying.

February 8th, 2006, 03:38	#10
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 19,231	flying without a slaved compass...scary! __________________ Rear Admiral www.gayviator.com Maximillian Pegasus

February 8th, 2006, 16:04	#11
Hootie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Zona Posts: 1,206	Its weird because when it is happening, it seems really bad and scary, but later on you remember it as fun or good experience. __________________ Whatever happened to catching a good old fashioned passionate ass whooping?

January 28th, 2006, 01:02	#2
bluelake Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 622	You serious? I'll tell you then. It was the time I was SO late getting into MHR (Sacramento, CA) that I thought UPS would want me to continue to fly the volume all the way to Ontario, Ca. Potentially No 9:00PM burrito for BlueLake!!!! Of course, there might be other scary stories... but they bump up against FAR's and decisionmaking.. dont wanna post that here as easy as that!!! ahaahaha just kidding. I've NEVER been scared doing 135 freight.. I have been nervous and sometimes ancious.. but NEVER scared. Best job I ever had so far!

January 31st, 2006, 12:00	#5
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	It's more experience than not being scared. I haven't come close to seeing it all, but I've seen more than most pilots that go straight from CFI to jets, since I get the privilege of staying in the wx all the way (10k' and below is where we fly our props), and flying a/c that might have problems eventually. I've had some definite pucker factor, but nothing that I'll put on an internet forum . Over adult BEvERages, I might get to telling some stories, but most of them are made up anyways. Being a cargo pilot is like being a fisherman, the stories get bigger and bigger the more times you tell them.

February 7th, 2006, 20:19	#9
bluelake Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 622	When I began flying freight, I thought of situations or experiences that would scare me. and of course, they are still there, like fire or wing spar failure, etc.. but in day to day flying, lot less of "scared" and more and more of "concern" when things seem difficult. There have been times I have absolutely felt like it was time to be "ON TASK", but overall not too bad. When flying scheduled freight runs, as many of us do.. much mental work becomes routine. The routes, times, approaches, airports, equipment.. so when something DOES come along that seems scary, it can be relatively easy to deal with because most factors are known. For example.. severe turbulence or icing on a night freight run... sure you'll be nervous but more than likely you have all the radio and navs tuned in from memory and you already know the approach, etc.. so you have 90% of your brain to allocate to managing your emotion! I remember a time I was dealing with a headwind and icing up pretty bad, it was night over mtn terrain blah blah blah (actually it was). My main concern at the time was the lousy groundspeed and getting to the UPS Gateway late. Getting to freight hubs late.. THAT STILL SCARES ME!!

February 8th, 2006, 21:01	#14
greaper007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Hartford, Ct Posts: 1,128	N57, I'm not sure how flying a GV simulator is synonmous with flying around level 3+ thuderstorms in a plane not equipped with weather radar. Or flying through heavy icing with no where to go. __________________ <<<<<Hunter S. Thompson extends the Gonzo concept to flying.

February 11th, 2006, 05:58	#17
averyrm Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: LCK Posts: 1,654	It is kind of odd how the first few times you're in some decent icing you're somewhat nervous about it, hitting the boots all the time and checking the wings every other second. But after awhile, you're just mad because it's making you slow and annoyed that you have to "do stuff" like blow the boots. __________________ <-- That guy with Belushi as his avitar

March 23rd, 2006, 18:27	#18
mnixon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 547	Looking at the groundspeed at 110 with 135 miles to go, and prairie doggin it! I'm tellin ya kids, that's terrifying! __________________ Former Presidents Photography

March 24th, 2006, 00:11	#21
BobDDuck Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Left Seat Posts: 5,924	Not a freight dog, but I've had a few things go wrong now. It's like BlueLake was saying. As it was actually happening it was more of an annoyment. I felt like I had to step up what I was doing to deal with/fix the problem. Afterwards, once it was all over, you start to think about it and your mind goes into "what ifs". Some of them end up better then the actual outcome and some end up worse. It's the ones that end up worse that scare me. __________________ TBJC08 The Gear Monkey The Gear Monkey Store

March 24th, 2006, 13:28	#23
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Don't worry N57, meritflyer just wanted everyone to know what a ##### hot stick he is because he had an engine failure. And to do that, he had to put you down. Sad. Wonder how his instructor handled it?

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