(Ron Lee) wrote
I had a somewhat similar experience leaving COS. Seems that
there was an issue with weight and balance, fuel, luggage, etc.

And unlike General Aviation, where the resolution is left up to
one person (the PIC) to perhaps make an error, airlines are
required to utilize several individuals to reduce the chance of
a disastrous mistake. The Pilot, the Flight Dispatcher,the
Loadmaster, and the Copilot all have responsibilities to reduce
the chance of error. Most General Aviation pilots have no under-
standing of airline OpSpecs and Operation Manuals that allow the
overall responsibility of the operation to be shared and cross-
checked by different persons. In many cases, one or more of these
people may not even be located where the flight will depart.
Major airlines usually operate from 2-3 main dispatch centers
where all flight plans and load sheets are computer generated and
transmitted to local stations for the flightcrew. Any breakdown in
communications results in local hand preparation or a delay until
communications are re-estabilished.

Commercial airline pilots screw up as well and may kill dozens
in the process.

Yes....but damn seldom!

Bob Moore
ATP B-707 B-727
PanAm (retired)