Eric Gates awoke to find that all of the cabin lights had been turned up to maximum brightness. A chorus of creaking seats, coughs and yawns grew louder as the ranks of the rudely awakened swelled. He glanced at his Rolex. It was four in the morning. They were not due to land in Cape Town for at least another three hours. And it was far too early for the breakfast service. Theyd better have a very good reason for this - if they know whats good for them, a woman seated somewhere behind Eric declared loudly. Madam, for what do you want a good reason? The speaker was an elderly man. He was seated in Erics row, but on the far side and at the opposite window. His long grey beard and his orthodox attire led Eric to assume that he was possibly a Rabbi. Theyve woken us during an overnight flight. God forbid that it should be for a good reason. The remark elicited a round of nervous laughter from several other passengers, but no response from its target. The public address system crackled into life, sending a chill down Erics spine. The announcement which followed was one which most airline passengers hoped never to hear. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, we apologise for the interruption.’ The female voice was assured and pleasant. ‘This is a precautionary announcement.’ There was a brief pause. If we have a commercial pilot on board, would you kindly announce yourself to a member of the cabin crew by pressing the service button located in the panel above you. Our co-pilot is unwell and the Captain considers it prudent to have a replacement on standby in the unlikely event of an emergency. Muted conversations gradually replaced the stunned silence. Dont they usually have two crews on these long haul flights? asked the man in the next seat. He had earlier introduced himself as Norman something or other, a retired detective who now free-lanced as a private investigator. I was wondering about the same thing, Eric replied. But if they have two crews, why the fuss about one sick pilot? Norman spoke fluent English, but with a noticeable Afrikaans accent. Something must have happened. But they wont tell us the full story unless they have to. Erics brows furrowed slightly as he considered the situation. He kept pinching his chin. Theres something else I cant quite fathom, Eric said eventually. Surely they must realise that waking passengers to inquire whether one of them happens to be a pilot is certain to cause alarm or panic. Theyd be fools if they didnt, Norman agreed. And yet, it wouldnt be quite so alarming if that announcement was made by the pilot who is actually flying the plane. Obviously. Its peculiar then that the Captain didnt make that announcement himself. Very strange indeed. But it could be that the Captain has his hands full- Norman saw no need to complete his sentence. He was a wiry man in his early sixties. His greying hair and moustache did not detract from his fit, distinguished appearance. The hushed conversations rapidly faded to near silence. Some passengers attempted to portray stoic expressions of calm. Few such efforts were visited by success. The repetition of the announcement a few minutes later only added to the palpable sense of unease. ‘Hells teeth! Eric exclaimed under his breath. Did you notice the difference? Nope. What difference? The first announcement specifically mentioned a commercial pilot. In the last they asked only for a pilot. Eric frowned. Perhaps a mistake, but somehow, I doubt it. If you ask me the truth is that no one responded to the first call. Ja, Norman agreed. Well then its time for me to say what we are both thinking. Something must have happened to the pilots. They must need someone to fly the plane. He turned towards Eric. Its up to you to respond. ‘I think they are looking for a real pilot,’ Eric replied after a moments hesitation. ‘Well, then they must come over here and say so,’ Norman declared. He reached for the service button in the overhead panel and pressed it. Eric felt strangely self-conscious as dozens of pairs of inquisitive eyes turned towards the two of them. It was not long before a short-haired blonde flight attendant arrived. Her well-rehearsed smile could not disguise a hint of anxiety in her alluring, pale blue eyes. ‘Hello, my name is Michelle Hart. Im the head flight attendant.’ She glanced at the lit service light on the panel above Norman’s seat and she reached to extinguish it. ‘Which of you is the pilot then?’ ‘Well, if you don’t have anyone else, then this is your man. Norman pointed at Eric. ‘Last night he told me that he often flies 747s on his computer. He also mentioned that owns several books on flying airliners.’ ‘Are you speaking about a computer game?’ Michelle’s forehead creased and her smile retreated. However her tone remained polite. It was unclear whether she was annoyed or disappointed. ‘It is really more of a simulation than a game,’ Eric defended. Michelle’s eyes narrowed as she considered him for several moments. The awkward silence prompted Eric to speak again. ‘Look, I don’t wish to waste anyone’s time. I’m not a pilot and I’ve never flown anything except for the aircraft on my computer simulation programme.’ ‘I’m sorry, but we are trying to determine whether anyone on board is a qualified pilot who flies real aircraft, preferably like the one we’re on now.’ A hint of condescension marred her otherwise professional tone. Heat rushed to Erics cheeks as he realised that all of the passengers in his section of the cabin were following their exchange. His jaw clenched tightly. Uncharacteristically, a ready retort to the patronising remark escaped him. ‘But I will mention your situation to the Captain, just in case, she added. Her polite smile returned. Michelle departed down the aisle as swiftly as she had first appeared. ‘Man, Im sorry about that.’ Norman spoke quietly. ‘I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. I thought you were serious when you said that you could fly this plane if you had to.’ He paused. ‘I suppose it was all that whisky talking.’ ‘I guess I’m not immune to a spot of spirit-infused bravado. Eric smiled ruefully. ‘Well, who knows. They might still call on you.’ ‘Seriously, I hope not. I’d prefer to be left with my delusions intact.’ Eric also realised that he was still feeling the effects of the previous evenings over indulgence. He considered pressing the service button again in the hope of securing an aspirin and some water. But he had second thoughts when he realised that this was likely to result in another round of unwelcome attention. A tense quiet prevailed for a while as everyone waited for some further announcement. It never came. When the main cabin lights dimmed a few minutes later, most assumed that if there had been a problem, it must have been resolved. ‘Well that’s it then, Norman said. After emitting an audible sigh of relief, he closed his eyes. Eric was switching aimlessly between the channels on the mini-screen in front of him when he noticed the head flight attendant making her way back down the now dimly lit aisle. There was sufficient light for him to discern that her eyes were firmly fixed on him as she approached. He shuddered involuntarily. She smiled sheepishly as she leant over towards him. ‘I mentioned you to the Captain,’ she whispered. ‘He thought you might find it interesting to visit a real cockpit. Would you care to follow me?’ ‘I was under the impression that after nine eleven, visits to the cockpit by passengers were strictly prohibited,’ Eric replied nonchalantly. He realised that there was more to the invitation than she had let on, but he could not resist making it difficult for her. ‘The Captain retains a final discretion about entry to the cockpit,’ Michelle explained softly. All the while she glared at him expectantly, and with growing annoyance. She was a stunningly beautiful woman, with a face as mesmerising as her slim figure was seductive. Eric reckoned that she was in her mid-thirties which made her his junior by about ten years. Although he considered himself to be not unattractive, and in reasonable shape for a man of his age, he could not help feeling particularly ordinary in her presence. He resisted a fleeting temptation to decline the invitation simply to watch her squirm a little. Something was evidently amiss and it seemed increasingly likely that her invitation actually constituted an urgent request for his assistance. ‘Look here my dear, were not fools! Normans lowered voice did not mask his irritation. Perhaps you would do us all the courtesy of telling us what in God’s name is going on. Is the Captain still in charge of this plane?’ ‘Sir, I must ask you to remain calm.’ Michelle whispered. ‘Everything is in order and I can assure you that the Captain is flying the plane. The announcements were purely precautionary.’ ‘What about the reserve crew?’ Norman asked. Eric studied Michelles body language carefully as she replied. ‘Im afraid that we don’t have a reserve crew on this flight due to a scheduling error by BAs head office in London. Our allocated reserve crew exceeded their maximum flying hours.’ Michelle’s eyes darted to the right for an instant. You’re lying through your teeth, Eric thought. But he did not interject. Surely youre not supposed to depart without a reserve crew? Norman asked. Regulations only require two pilots. The use of a reserve crew is purely an additional precaution adhered to by British Airways and by some other airlines. Norman appeared less than convinced, but he left it at that. ‘I assure you sir, that if the co-pilot does not recover by the time we need to land, the Captain will be perfectly capable of landing this aircraft on his own.’ ‘Well, as reassuring as it is coming from you, why has the Captain himself not said as much?’ Norman asked. ‘Precisely because theres nothing to be concerned about. I assure you that, if there was any cause for concern youd have heard from the Captain by now.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:55:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015