Just Say 'No'
(continued)
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| New 757/767 captain Joe Romanko |
In that regard, over the phone, I found Captain Joe Romanko in good spirits with a relaxed demeanor. He had just completed his simulator training. Joe had been a Super 80 captain and was now upgrading to the 757/767. Like most folks, he was looking forward to completing the final phase of his training.
The following day Joe and I shook hands in JFK Operations. Joe arrived early and had made an attempt to print the flight plan. But the computer was displaying a "not updated" status. That status sometimes indicates that the dispatcher or load control is working on an issue. In this case the issue was wind.
An advancing cold front in Bermuda was creating a velocity that was exceeding the 30-knot crosswind limitation of our 757. This was not an uncommon occurrence for the island. Our departure was at risk of being cancelled. The dispatcher awaited updated forecast information.
As expected, the updated forecast magically predicted a slow decrease in wind speed as the evening progressed despite the approaching cold front. Joe and I shook our heads. We smiled. Without verbalizing, our eyes said, "Yeah ... right."
I approached the nearest computer keyboard and typed the code for the current Bermuda weather. Interestingly enough, the wind speed had decreased. Joe nodded, acknowledged the observation, and then typed the code to print the flight plan. We would be departing on schedule.
After discussing some of the aspects of the international flight plan, I paused. Joe scooped up the paperwork. He looked at me and grinned.
He said, "You know, I don't need to be a hero. It's not going to hurt my feelings if you want to fly this leg."
I looked at Joe and said, "I am comfortable with any decision you make. If you want to give it a try, I have no problems with that either. It's up to you."
Without hesitation, Joe responded. "No thanks."
I smiled and said, "Fair enough. How about you fly us up to cruise altitude and I'll take it from there? At least that way I won't take all of the stick time."
"It's a deal," Joe said, looking relieved.
As we walked out of Operations toward the elevator, I chided Joe for his decision. He would be forcing me to perform under pressure. He would have to pay for that eventually. In reality, Joe had already passed his OE ride. He had made a rational and competent decision. He knew his own limitations. And by saying that he didn't need to be a hero, he already was one.
I, on the other hand, would be faced with not only the responsibility of keeping our passengers safe, but with attempting to demonstrate a competent performance. Although I have thousands of hours in a 757, my proficiency opportunities have decreased because of my check airman status. In addition, I would be making the landing from the right seat.
As we began our descent into Bermuda, I briefed Joe. I explained that any indication of wind shear or controllability issues would prompt me to initiate a go-around. We would return to JFK. Period. Upon landing, Joe was to help maintain forward pressure on the control wheel in order to keep the nosewheel firmly planted on the runway. He was not to touch the tiller until I stated that he had control of the airplane.
We experienced only light turbulence as we descended on the glideslope for a landing on Runway 30. The airplane had established a well-defined crab, but nothing extraordinary. The tower reported a steady-state wind of 25 knots. And then the tower reported 28 knots. And then the tower reported 27 knots. And then I muttered to Joe that the tower should discontinue any further wind reporting. The controller must have heard us. The frequency remained silent all the way to touch down.
A glance at the rudder trim gauge and the travel of my foot on the rudder pedal indicated that the flight control had plenty more authority if I needed it. The airplane was tracking straight with only a slight degree of bank angle. With a solid, but not uncomfortable thud, the right main gear merged with the concrete first. The left main gear followed. And then, the nosewheel. Joe assisted just as I had briefed. We slowed and turned off the runway toward the terminal.
The tower must have enjoyed the entertainment because the controller had to ask just what our crosswind limitation really was. I told him, dreading the possibility that he might minimize actual wind information in order to maintain legal compliance for the next arrival.
In any case, the mission had been accomplished. Joe had observed and absorbed a reasonably competent performance. I had landed the airplane safely in difficult conditions. And another hero was born just by saying, "No."
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