Upon my return home from a trip to London and back, I reflected on a series of trials and tribulations. When I put on the fourth stripe 25 years ago, I perceived my primary function simply as the boss on the flight deck. The responsibility for safely operating an airliner rested directly on my shoulders. The cabin crew was certainly under my jurisdiction, but they were on the other side of the cockpit door and, for the most part, acted autonomously.
Jumpseat: Managing Versus Flying