On 2007-06-28 16:20:06 -0700, (Paul Tomblin) said:

In a previous article, said:
Was it just me or did it sound like the pilot was trying to BS his way
through the readback unwilling to admit that he didn't understand the word
"question"?

If there's one thing I've learned about the Chinese dealing with off-shore
programmers, it's that they will *never* admit that they don't understand
you. Even after they deliver something and you tell them it's nothing
like what you contracted for, they'll smile and nod and be very proud of
the quivering piece of **** that they delivered.

This is true in some other Asian cultures as well. The political and
social history are such that people are afraid of admitting a mistake
for fear of being severely punished, perhaps even killed, and their
families shamed.

This creates problems in the cockpit, especially if you have a
not-so-subservient American copilot on board.

"Captain, you are below glide slope."
Ignoring rude American who does not know his place.
"Captain, you are below glide slope."
continuing to ignore this appallingly rude American
"Captain, my airplane." reaches for controls
slaps American's hand -- that'll teach him!

Walking into the pilots' lounge, with dozens of other Korean pilots
there, the American copilot hauled off and decked his captain (formerly
a colonel in the South Korean Air Force) in front of everybody.

"You ever slap my hand again, I'll kill ya."

dead silence throughout the room

Amazingly, the American lived. But then, he was burly.

--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor