The Practiced Art of Airline Safety

FLYING Staff

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A surgeon observed commercial airline pilots firsthand to compare aviation's rigorous safety protocols with those in the operating room.
The author was profoundly impressed by the aviation industry's meticulous pre-flight planning, detailed checklists, continuous cross-checking, and established contingency procedures.
The experience revealed a significant disparity, emphasizing that surgical environments have much to learn from aviation's advanced culture of precision, communication, and commitment to safety.

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10:15 a.m., eastern daylight time.

The air is cool and quiet, save for the rustle of the drapes and the ripping noise made by Sabra as she opens some suture packs. Cindy is busy setting up her Mayo stand, upon which she has arranged a collection of shiny surgical clamps, two scalpels, some sutures and some silk ties. She has carefully counted the sutures and the instruments, too.