Posted on 12/10/2004 2:44:08 PM PST by CHARLITE
Accounts of actual exchanges between airline pilots and control towers around the world.
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Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!"
Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!"
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"TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees."
"Centre, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?"
"Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?"
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From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long takeoff queue: "I'm f... ing bored!"
Ground Traffic Control: "Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!"
Unknown aircraft: "I said I was f... ing bored, not f... ing stupid!"
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O'Hare Approach Control to a 747: "United 329 heavy, your traffic is a Fokker, one o'clock, three miles, Eastbound."
United 329: "Approach, I've always wanted to say this... I've got the little Fokker in sight."
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A student became lost during a solo cross-country flight.
While attempting to locate the aircraft on radar, ATC asked, "What was your last known position?"
Student: "When I was number one for takeoff."
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A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.
San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadeloupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."
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There's a story about the military pilot calling for a priority landing because his single-engine jet fighter was running "a bit peaked."
Air Traffic Control told the fighter jock that he was number two, behind a B-52 that had one engine shut down.
"Ah," the fighter pilot remarked, "The dreaded seven-engine approach."
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Taxiing down the tarmac, a DC-10 abruptly stopped, turned around and returned to the gate. After an hour-long wait, it finally took off.
A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant, "What, exactly, was the problem?"
"The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine," explained the flight attendant. "It took us a while to find a new pilot."
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A Pan Am 727 flight waiting for start clearance in Munich overheard the following:
Lufthansa (in German): "Ground, what is our start clearance time?"
Ground (in English): "If you want an answer you must speak in English."
Lufthansa (in English): "I am a German, flying a German airplane, in
Germany. Why must I speak English?"
Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): "Because you lost the bloody war."
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Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on frequency 124.7"
Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure. By the way, after we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway."
Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff behind Eastern 702, contact
Departure on frequency 124.7. Did you copy that report from Eastern 702?"
Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, roger; and yes, we copied Eastern... we've already notified our caterers."
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One day the pilot of a Cherokee 180 was told by the tower to hold short of the active runway while a DC-8 landed. The DC-8 landed, rolled out, turned around, and taxied back past the Cherokee.
Some quick-witted comedian in the DC-8 crew got on the radio and said, "What a cute little plane. Did you make it all by yourself?"
The Cherokee pilot, not about to let the insult go by, came back with a real zinger: "I made it out of DC-8 parts. Another landing like yours and I'll have enough parts for another one."
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The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them.
So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign Speedbird 206.
Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway."
Ground: "Speedbird 206 Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."
The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.
Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."
Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"
Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, -- And I didn't land."
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While taxiing at London's Gatwick Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727.
An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming:
"US Air 2771, where the hell are you going?! I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!"
Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically: "God! Now you've screwed everything up! It'll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don't move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour, and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?"
"Yes, ma'am," the humbled crew responded.
Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in her current state of mind. Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high.
Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone,
asking: "Wasn't I married to you once?"
An F-15 pulled up alongside a C-141 up in the flight levels and managed to contact the cargo plane on the radio. After chatting a while, the fighter pilot said, "Hey, watch this!", and proceeded to do a barrel roll around the C-141.
The C-141 pilot was duly impressed, and called back, "That's nothing. Watch this..."
After two minutes of stright and level flight, the fighter pilot couldn't stand it, and said, "OK, what did you do?".
The C-141 pilot said, "I just got up, walked back to the restroom and took a piss, stretched my legs for a while, then got a cup of coffee."
He knew the tower contoller personally, and one night he called him up on approach and said, "Charlie, this is N_____. Clear the field, I'm coming in on one engine."
On final approach, the tower said, "Damn you Clarence, you've only got one engine!".
Ha
I used to own a Cessna 120. I flew out of an airport that had a part time (week-end) tower staffed by the National Guard. I used to ask to land in the grass short of the runway. They would always clear me but add that it was at my own risk. I always wanted to, but never did, ask "if I land on the asphalt is it at someone else's risk?"
"Chuck Tower". ROFL!
Oldie,probably 20 oh so years,King Air calls in a Turbulance PIREP(Pilot report) He gets to the remarks section when asked how severe. .Says the Trepid aviator, "Radio, it's rougher than a stucco bathtub."
You gots mail.
Remember the one about the airliners lined up waiting to take off at some airport that I can't remember. (I always think of it as MCO, where the hold-short area is right along the expressway, separated by a chain-link fence.)
One of the aircraft came up on ground and reported, "Hey there's some ni**ers throwing rocks at the planes!". The tower called the next plane in line and asked for confirmation. "Yup, they's ni**ers all right."
Some men do belong behind a flying desk. LOL
<< I have seen pilots try to have their jets grounded due to the smallest problems .... >>
No you haven't.
But then we don't expect erks to be able to tell the difference between Pilots and the rest of the folks -- the other 85%, that is -- who also get to pull on pilot costumes and come and sit sit in the pointy bit of the plane with us.
These days, we're not allowed to fool around like that.
9/11 changed everything with General Aviation. We need to be a lot more serious... but... to tell you the truth - it's still wonderful!!!
Dasher
Hey, my uncle was one of those engineers!
One of the many things he worked on was the doors near the air inlets, to help fix the problem of flame-out during high speed manuvers... Where turning at high speeds could create a low pressure area at the inlet on the inside of the turn, causing the engine to flame out.
Mark
I don't know if this is true, but a guy I knew once told me that there was a seagull on the deck of a carrier, and while there was nobody in front of the plane, they turned on the ECM gear, killing the bird...
I also heard that one time an EA6B accidentally knocked out power and communications for several hundred miles along the eastern seaboard.
Are either of these true?
Mark
What you want is a stall when the tires are almost on the runway.
Now that's hilarious.
Thanks,
mc
Although this is about flying, I did have an interesting conversation with a Navy ship back when I had my sailboat. I used to do a lot of long distance offshore sailing back in the "stone age" when you still used sextants instead of GPS. It was always my practice when seeing a ship to verify my position since I figured in most cases they had a much better idea where they were than we did. Most of the time, in fact all of the time if we could raise them on the radio, we got excellent co-operation from them with one exception, and that was with the US Navy.
We had been in fairly rough seas, varible winds, and total cloud cover for about four days with no sextant shot during the four days. We figured we were somewhere within about a 50 mile area but still in the ocean since we did not see land anywhere and had good visibility, when we happened up on destroyer. We explained our problems to him and normally, with the exception of this time, the ship would give us our position and ask if if we wanted to pass any information on to anyone. This was my experience on numerous occasions regardless of the nationality of the ship or its type. Then they would wish us a good day.
However, this guy wanted me to embarrass myself since I had already explained to him, we hadn't had a position for four days in rough weather. His reply to me, after my request was, "Well, Georgia Peach, just where do you think you are"?. My answer back was, "Next to you".
OPEN: Theme from Jaws, plane busts out of clouds like Jaws...
Voiceman: The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading
of passengers only, there is no stopping in the red
zone.
Voiclady: The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading
of passengers only, there is no stopping in the red
zone.
Voiceman: The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading
of passengers only, there is no stopping in the red
zone.
Voiclady: The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading
of passengers only, there is no stopping in the red
zone.
Zealot#1: Hello, we'd like you to have this flower from the
religious consciousness church, would you care
to make a donation?
Elaine : No, thank you anyway.
Voiceman: The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading
of passengers only, there is no stopping in the white
zone.
Voiclady: NO! The white zone is for immediate loading and
unloading and there is no stopping in the red zone.
Voiceman: The red zone has always been for loading and unloading
there is never stopping in a white zone.
Voiclady: Don't tell me which zone is for stopping and which zone
is for loading.
Voiceman: Listen Betty, don't start up with your white zone shit
again!
Zealot#2: Hello, we'd like you to have this flower from the
religious consciousness church, would you like
to make a donation?
????????: No thanks, we gave at the office.
AT SECURITY GATE:
Security: Would you put all of your metal objects into this dish
please ( Man first removes all of his jewelry, etc.
then his prosthetic arm and leg)
Voiceman: There's just no stopping in a white zone.
Voiclady: Oh really, Vernon, why pretend, we both know perfectly
well what it is you're talking about. You want me to
have an abortion.
Voiceman: Its really the only sensible thing to do. If its done
properly, therapeutically, there's no danger involved.
Someguy : Taxi!
Striker : I'll be back in a minute. ( sets cab's meter running)
Zealot#3: Hello sir, we'd like you to have this flower on behalf
of the church of Religious consciousness, would you
caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarr...
Worker#1: Hey, Larry, where's the forklift? ( To worker#2 who is
busy guiding a plane into a hanger )
Worker#2: Forklift? Its over there by the baggage loader.
( Gestures the direction of baggage loader with
guide sticks causing the plane to go that direction
and to come crashing into the terminal)
People : ( In terminal ) LOOK OUT!!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!
(pandemonium).
Striker : Elaine!!!!!
Elaine : Ted!
Striker : I came home early and found your note. I guess you
meant for me to read it later. Elaine, I've got to
to talk to you.
Elaine : I just don't want to go over it anymore.
Striker : I know things haven't been right for a long time,
but... It'll be different. Like it was in the
beginning. If you'll just be patient I can work
things out.
Elaine : I have been patient and I tried to help, but you
wouldn't even let me do that.
Striker : Don't you feel anything for me at all anymore?
Elaine : It takes so many things to make love last. But,
most of all, it takes respect, and I can't live
with the man I don't respect.
Striker : ( To camera ) What a PISSER!
PA : Captain Oever, white courtesy phone. Captain Cla
rence
Oever, white courtesy phone.
OEVER PICKS UP A RED PHONE.
Operator: NO! THE WHITE PHONE.
Oever : Oh! ( picks up white phone ) This is Captain Oever!
Operator: One moment for your call from the Mayo Clinic.
PA : Captain Oever, white courtesy phone. Captain Clarence
Oever, white courtesy phone.
Oever : I'VE GOT IT!
PA : Thank you.
Operator: Go ahead with your call.
MayoDoct: Uh, this is Doctor Brody at the Mayo Clinic. There's a
passenger on your Chicago flight 209er, a little girl
named Lisa Davis, en route to Minneapolis. She's
scheduled for a heart transplant, we'd like you to tell
her mother we found a donor an hour ago. We have the
heart here, ready for surgery. . . We must have the
recipient on the operating table within 6 hours. I
want you to make sure she's kept in a reclined position
and that a continuous watch is kept on her IV. Also,
its very important that she remain calm. . .
Operator: EXCUSE ME, This is the operator Captain Oever, I have
an emergency call on line 5 from a Mr. Hamm.
Oever : Alright, Give me Hamm on 5, hold the Mayo.
Striker : Look, you'll be back in town tomorrow night, we'll...
have dinner. We'll talk things over.
Elaine : I won't be back, I've requested the Atlanta run.
Striker : Elaine, I promise, I can change.
Elaine : Then why didn't you take the job that Louis Neds
offered you at Boeing?
Striker : You know I haven't been able to get near a plane since
since the war. Even if I could, they wouldn't hire
me because of my war record.
Elaine : You're war record ??? You're the only one keeping that
alive, for everyone else, its ancient history.
Striker : You expect me to believe that?
Elaine : Its the truth. What's hurt you the most is your record
since the war. Different cities, different jobs and
not one of them shows you can accept any real
responsibility.
Striker : Elaine, if you just give me one more . . .
Elaine : Its too late, Ted. When I get back to Chicago, I'm
going to start my life all over again. I'm sorry.
Zealot#4: Excuse me, we'd like you to have this flower from the
Church of Religious Conscious. . .PUNCH . . .
EWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Attendnt: Hi! Well, good evening. Oh, there you go.
You just follow all the way back. Hello.
Victor : Any word on that storm lifting over Salt Lake
Clarence?
Oever : No not likely, Victor. I just reviewed the area report
for 1600 hours through 2400.
Victor : Uh, huh ...
Oever : There's a front stalled over the Dakotas, backed all
the way to Utah.
Victor : Yeah, well, if she decides to push over to the great
lakes, it could get plenty slippery.
Oever : Uh, huh.
Victor : What about the southern route, around Tulsa?
Oever : I double checked the terminal forecast and winds aloft
and I had cloudy ceilings all the way.
Victor : Where do they top out?
Oever : Well . . . there's some light scattered cover to 20,000
icing around 15. . .
Worker3 : Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
(falling off ladder from washing plane's windows)
Victor : Boy looks like the original plan ought to be the
best bet.
Oever : Denver it is.
Murdock : Sorry Clarence. Latest weather report shows everything
is sopped in from Salt Lake to Lincoln.
Oever : Oh, Hi Roger! Glad to have you aboard! Victor, this is
Roger Murdock, Victor Basta.
Victor : How do you do Roger?
Murdock : Nice to meet you!
Oever : Roger, I was telling Victor that I reviewed the area
report for 1600 hours through 2400 there'sa front
stalled over the Dakotas. . .
Ticketer: There you go, thank you.
Striker : Can you tell me if Elaine Dickenson is on this
flight?
Ticketer: Well, the whole flight crew has boarded. Let me see.
Oh yes, she is on board.
Striker : I'd like one ticket to Chicago. No baggage.
( Guy still waits in Taxi for Striker)
Ticketer: Smoking or non-smoking.
Striker : Smoking, please.
Ticketer: ( Hands Ted a ticket which is literally smoking) There.
Have a nice trip.
FLASHBACK: STRIKER.
VOICE: Striker, this is red leader 4. Primary target
covered by fog. Decision to proceed is yours.
decision to proceed IS YOURS. IS YOUUUURRRRS...
YOUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Jiveman1: Sheeeet, man, that honkey mus' be messin' my old lady
got to be runnin' col' upsihd down his head!
Subtitle: GOLLY, THAT WHITE FELLOW SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE
OR I WILL PUNCH HIM.
Jiveman2: Hey Holm, I can dig it! You know he ain't gonna lay no
mo' big rap upon you man!
Subtitle: YES, HE IS WRONG FOR DOING THAT.
Jiveman1: I say hey sky, s'other say I won say I pray to J I get
the same ol' same ol.
Subtitle: I KNEW A MAN IN A SIMILAR PREDICAMENT, AND HE ENDED UP
BEING SORRY.
Jiveman2: Knock yourself a pro slick. Gray matter back got
perform' us' down I take TCBin, man'.
Subtitle: DON'T BE NAIVE ARTHUR. EACH OF US FACES A CLEAR MORAL
CHOICE.
Jiveman1: You know wha' they say: See a broad to get that bodiac
lay'er down an' smack 'em yack 'em.
Subtitle: EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE, MAKES A MAN HEALTHY,
WEALTHY AND WISE.
Together: Col' got to be! Yo!
Subtitle: HOW TRUE!
Together: Sheeeeeeet!
Subtitle: GOLLY.
SIGH ON PLANE LIGHTS UP
ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ»
º NO SMOKING º
º El NO A YOU SMOKO º
º º
º FASTEN SEATBELTS º
º PUTANA DA SEATBELTZ º
ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
Oldlady : Nervous?
Striker : Yes.
Oldlady : First time?
Striker : NO, I've been nervous lots of times.
Elaine : Hi, we'll be taking off real soon. SO I'd better
fasten you in tight.
Dyingirl: Thank you. Oh, mother this is so exciting.
Mother : I know, but you must get some rest.
Elaine : That's good advice. You relax and I'll be back right
after we take off.
Lovelorn: God Bill. I am going to miss you so much.
Leaving : Oh, I'm gonna miss you too. Promise you'll write??
Lovelorn: SIGH . . . Every day. Bill...
Conductr: Better get on board son. All aboard!!!!!
Oever : 209er to ground control. We're loaded and ready to
taxi.
Lovelorn: Goodbye Bill!
Leaving : Goodbye darling. I love you darling.
Tower : 2-0-9er, taxi to runway 1-9er.
Leaving : Goodbye darling.
Lovelorn: Have your picture taken the minute you get there. And
send me one, alright?
Leaving : Okay, here, hurry. ( he throws her his watch as she
runs along the side of the taxiing plane. )
Lovelorn: Oh, but your watch, but you shouldn't. You're gonna
need this!
Leaving : Its alright. It doesn't work.
Lovelorn: Bill!
Leaving : Goodbye darling.
Lovelorn: Bill! ( Knocks over light tower while running ) Bill!
Bill! I'll keep it with me all the time, I swear to
you.
Leaving : I know darling, take care of yourself, goodbye.
Tower : Flight 2-0-9er, you're cleared for take off.
Oever : Roger!
Murdock : Huh?
Tower : L.A. departure frequency 1-2-3 point 9er.
Oever : Roger!
Murdock : Huh?
: Re-quest Vector, over!
Oever : What?
Tower : 2-0-9er clear for vector 2-3-4.
Murdock : We have clearance Clarence.
Oever : Roger, Roger. What's our Vector Victor?
Tower : Tower's radio clearance, over!
Oever : That's Clarence Oever! Oever.
Tower : Roger.
Murdock : Huh?
Tower : Roger, over.
Murdock : Huh?
Oever : Huh?
Attendnt: DO you feel alright sir?
Striker : Oh, I haven't flown for a long time.
Oever : Good evening ladies and gentleman, this is Captain
Oever speaking. Well, be cruising at 36,000 feet
this evening. Our arrival time in Chicago will be
10:45 pm central time. The temperature there is
currently 62 degrees with a 20% chance of precipitation.
Meanwhile, relax and enjoy your flight.
Elaine : Would you like something to read?
Oldlady: Do you have anything light?
Elaine : Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh... how about this leaflet, famous Jewish
sports legends?
Oldlady: Yes, thank you.
Elaine : Teeeeeeeeeeeed!?! What are you doing here?
Striker: Elaine, I've got to talk to you!
Elaine : Y-Y-Yo-You shouldn't have come, I don't have time now!
Oldlady: Stewardess . . .
Elaine : Excuse me!
Oldlady: No wonder you're upset! She's lovely! And a darling
figure. Supple pouting breasts. . . firm thighs . . .
its a shame you two don't get along.
Striker: Yes, I know, things used to be different. I remember
when we first met. It was during the war. ( Flashback)
I was in the Air Force stationed in Drambui, off the
Barbary coast. I used to hang out at the Magumba bar.
It was a rough place, the seediest dive on the wharf.
Populated with every reject and cut-throat from Bombay
to Calcutta. Its worse than Detroit. The mood in the
place was downright ugly. You wouldn't walk in there
unless you knew how to use your fists. You could count
on a fight breaking out almost every night. ( fight
between two women breaks out. Chairs are crashed . . .)
( Saturday Night Fever music starts to play when juke
box is clobbered I didn't go there that night to fall
in love I just dropped in for a couple of drinks. But,
suddenly there she was. I was captivated, entranced.
It hit me like a thunderbolt. I had to ask the
guy next to me to pinch me to make sure I wasn't
dreaming. I was afraid to approach her, but that
night fate was on my side. ( The man Elaine is dancing
with gets a knife in his back. He tries to ascertain
help from Elaine by pointing with both hands at his
back, but Elaine thinks that this is a new dance move
and mimics him. He collapses and dies. Striker begins
to dance disco style with Elaine, soon a crowd gathers
to watch. Both Ted and Elaine dance in humanly
impossible ways. The crowd cheers. Next the bar is
empty, and its the end of the night. Ted and Elaine
are still there with the 2 fighting women. ( end
flashback ) We laughed, we talked, we danced I never
wanted it to end. I guess I still don't. But, enough
about me, I hope this hasn't been boring for you. Its
just that whenever I talk about Elaine, I get so carried
away, I loose all track of time. ( Oldlady has hung
herself )
Elaine : Would you like to order dinner now?
Father : Yes, Joey will have the steak and my wife and I will
have the fish.
Joey : When can I see the cockpit dad?
Father : Joey, I think the pilots are probably too busy flying
the plane for that.
Joey : Awww, geee whiz!!!!!!!!!!
Elaine : I'll tell you what Joey, I'll talk to the Captain and
see what I can arrange.
Joey : Gee, that'd be swell!
Elaine : Would you gentleman care to order your dinners?
Jiveman1: Bet babe, slide a piece a da porter, drink si' run th'
java.
Subtitle: I WOULD LIKE THE STEAK PLEASE.
Jiveman2: Lookie here, I can dig grease and butter on some
draggin' fruit garden.
Subtitle: I'LL HAVE THE FISH.
littlboy: Excuse me, I happened to be passing and I thought you
might like some coffee.
littgirl: Oh, that's very nice of you. Thank you. Oh, won't you
sit down?
Littlboy: Oh thank you. Cream?
Littgirl: No thank you, I take it black . . . . . . like my men.
Striker : Well, you see . . . ( to a different passenger --
new flashback, reminiscent of the Blue Lagoon. )
Elaine : Oh TED! I never knew I could be so happy. These
few months have been just wonderful. Tomorrow,
why don't we drive up the coast to that little
seafood place and . . . what's the matter???
Striker : My orders came through. My squadron ships out
tomorrow, we're bombing the storage depots at
Daiquiri at 18:00 hours. We're coming in from the
North, below their radar.
Elaine : When will you be back?
Striker : I can't tell you that? It's classified.
Elaine : Ted, please be careful. I worry about you so much.
Striker : I love you Elaine.
Elaine : I love you!
( Return from flashback, the passenger stabs himself to death )
Denver : Flight 2-0-9er, this is Denver flight control. You are
approaching some rough weather. Please climb to 42,000
feet.
Oever : Roger, Denver.
Elaine : We have a visitor. . .
Oever : Hello.
Murdock : Hi!
Elaine : This is Captain Oever, Mr Murdock and Mr Basta. This
is Joey Hammond. . .
Oever : Well hi Joey.
Murdock : Come on up here, you can see better.
Oever : We have something here for our special visitors ( takes
out a model airplane for Joey ), would you like to have
it?
Joey : Thank youuuuuuu! Thanks alot!
Oever : Sure. You ever been in a cockpit before?
Joey : No sir, I've never been up in a plane before.
Oever : You ever . . . seen a grown man naked ?
Murdock : Do you want me to check the weather Clarence?
Oever : No, why don't you take care of it. Joey, did ya
ever hang around a gymnasium?
Elaine : We'd better get back now Joey!
Oever : Noooooooo, Joey can stay here for a while if he'd
like.
Joey : Could I?
Elaine : Okay, if you don't get in the way.
Murdock : Flight 2-0-9er to Denver radio, climbing to cruise
at 42,000. Will report again over Lincoln. Over and
out.
Joey : Wait a minute! I know you. You're Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
You played basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Murdock : I'm sorry son, but you must have me confused with some-
one else. My name is Roger Murdock. I'm the co-pilot.
Joey : You are Kareem! I've seen you play. My dad's got
season tickets.
Murdock : I think you should go back to your seat now Joey.
Right Clarence?
Oever : Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, he's not bothering anyone, let him
stay here.
Murdock : But just remember, my name is ROGER MURDOCK. I'm an
airline pilot.
Joey : I think you're the greatest, but my dad says you don't
work hard enough on defence. And he says that lots of
times, you don't even run down court. And that you
don't really try . . . except during the playoffs.
Murdock : The hell I don't!! ( grabs joey by collar ) LISTEN KID!
I've been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA.
I'm out there busting my buns every night. Tell your
old man to drag Walton and Denier up and down the
court for 48 minutes.
Oever : Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?
Striker : Elaine, just hear me out. I know things haven't been
right for a long time, but it'll be different. like
it was in the beginning, remember?
Elaine : I remember everything. All I have are memories.
Mostly, I remember the nights when we were together.
I remember how you used to hold me and... how I used
to sit on your face and wiggle and...afterwards how
we'd watch 'til the sun came up. When it did, it was
almost like . . . like . . . each new day was made
only for us.
Striker : That's the way I've always wanted it to be Elaine.
Elaine : But it won't be . . . not as long as you insist on
living in the past.
( Striker flashes back -- )
Voice: You're too low Ted . . . YOU'RE TOO LOW!
( Now in military mental hospital. Random mental hospital
conversation has been skipped. Striker is painting a picture of
a guy in the middle of an explosion )
Doctor : Okay Robert, slip em down, this won't hurt much . .
Elaine : You got a telegram from headquarters today.
Striker: HEADQUARTERS?!? What is it?
Elaine : Well, its a big building where generals meet. But
that's not important right now. They've cleared
you of any blame for what happened in that raid.
Isn't that good news?
Striker: Is it? Because of my mistake 6 men didn't return
from that raid.
Elaine : 7, Lieutenant Zip died this morning. . . ( Striker
spits out drink ) The Doctor says you'll be out in
a week, isn't that wonderful?
Striker: Wish I could say the same for George Zip.
Elaine : Be patient Ted, nobody expects you to get over this
immediately.
Subject: Hey Striker, How bout a break, I'm getting tired.
Striker: Yeah, alright. Take 5. ( We see that the subject
has been standing in a contorted stance with an
explosion backdrop exactly mimicking the painting
Striker has been working on )
Elaine: I have found a wonderful apartment for us. It has
a brick fireplace and a cute little bedroom with
mirrors on the ceiling and . . .
Jeleen: Red leader, Red Leader . . . I'm goin' down (
makes gunner noises )
Striker: Captain Jeleen. He thinks he's a pilot still
fighting the war.
Jeleen : I've found the tunnel Johnson!! Its this way $25
for a cigarette is too much!
Herwitz: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Elaine : What's his problem?
Striker: Its Lt. Herwitz. Severe shell shock. Thinks he's
Ethel Merman.
( We cut back to herwitz, but he is now replaced with the
real Ethel Merman )
Herwitz: You'lllllll be swell...
You'll be great...
Gonna have the whole world on a plate.
Startin' here.
Startin' now.
Honey, everything's coming up rosseehhhhhhhhsss.
( He ( she ) faints )
Striker: War is hell.
( Meanwhile back on the plane )
Attendnt: Would you like some coffee before we serve dinner?
Striker : No, no thank you.
Attendnt: Would either of you like another cup of coffee?
Mother2 : I will, but Jim won't.
Father : I think I will have another cup of coffee.
Mother2 : ( To herself in an echo voice ) Jim never has a
second cup at home.
Attendnt: Excuse me sister . . .
Nun : Yeahhhs?
Attendnt: There's little girl on board up front who's ill and ..
Nun : Oh, yes. I saw, poor child.
Attendnt: Could I borrow your guitar . . . I think maybe I could
cheer her up.
Nun : Of course.
Attendnt: Ohhhh.... thank you. ( She drags guitar across the
passengers heads )
Attendnt: Hi!
Mother : Hi!
Attendnt: Do you mind if I talk to your daughter?
Mother : No I think that'd be nice.
Attendnt: Hi, I'm Randy.
Dyingirl: I'm Lisa . . . YOU HAVE A GUITAAAAR!
Attendnt: Uh, huh! I thought maybe you'd like to hear a song.
Dyingirl: I'd love too!
Attendnt: Okay. Let's see, uh... this is one of my favorites!
I've traveled the banks of the river of Jordan
To find where it flows to the sea
I looked in the eyes of the cold and the hungry
And I saw that I was looking at meeeeeee.
And I wanted to know if life had a purpose
And what it all means in the end
In the silence I listened to voices inside me
And they told me again and again.
There is only one river ( Knocks IV out of Lisa's
arm with guitar but doesn't notice )
There is only one sea
And it flows through you
And it flows through me ( Lisa is having conniptions
about her IV as if about to die )
There is only one people
We are one in the same ( The whole plane begins to
clap along )
We are all one spirit
One naaaaaaaaaaaammmme.
We are the father
We are one.
We are one.
We are one.
Oever : Little late tonight. We've been waiting for you.
Elaine : Who wants to be first?
Murdock : Go ahead Clarence, I got 'er.
Elaine : How's the weather?
Murdock : Not so good. We've got some heavy stuff ahead of us.
It might get rough again unless we can climb on top.
Striker : ( To a guy in a turban ) Yeah, after the war, I just
wanted to get as far away from things as possible.
Elaine and I joined the Peace Corps. We were assigned
to an isolated tribe: the Malumbos. ( Flashback to
African tribe ) They'd never seen Americans before.
Striker : It was really a challenge during the year
introducing them to our western culture.
At first they didn't know what to think
of us, but soon we gained their trust.
Elaine : It will help you better prepare and store
foods for the up and coming Monsoon months.
Also, Supperware products are ideal for storing
leftovers to help stretch your food dollar. This
2 quart Sealz-em Right container will keep hot dog
buns fresh for days.
Striker : You must understand, these people had been
completely isolated from civilization. No one
had ever outlined a physical fitness program
for them and they had no athletic equipment.
I started them on simple calisthenics and slowly
worked them up to rudimentary game skills. And
finally, advanced competitive theory. I was
patient with them and they were eager to learn.
they seemed to enjoy themselves. It was probably
due to the advanced American techniques that we
were able to bridge the generations of isolation
communicate so successfully with Mulambos.
( The Mulambos start to play basketball like pros)
I think they're finally getting the hang of it
when we re-enlist, I'll teach them baseball.
Elaine : Ted, I don't want to stay here, its time for us
to go back home to the plans we made before the
war.
Striker : Alot of people made plans before the war . . .
like George Zip. It was at that moment that I
first realized Elaine had doubts about our
relationship. And that as much as anything else
led to my drinking problem ( He pours his drink
on himself.) We did come back to the states, I tried
a number of jobs . . . well, I could go on for hours,
but I would probably start to bore you. ( Guy in
turban pulls out knife and points it to his heart )
I really couldn't blame Elaine ( Guy stabs himself
and moans ) she wanted a career.
Oldlady2: Uhhhhhhhh...... I can't stand it. Ohhhhhhh.
Elaine : Yes?
Oldlady2: Oh... its my stomach. I haven't felt this aweful since
we saw that Ronald Reagan film. uhh.
Elaine : I'll see if I can find some Dramamine. ( Goes to
cockpit ) Captain, one of the woman passengers is
very sick.
Oever : Airsick?
Elaine : I think so, but I've never seen it so acute.
Oever : Find out if there's a doctor on board as quietly as
you can. . . Joey . . . have you ever been in a, a
Turkish prison?
Father : Ohhhhhhhhhh, I shouldn't have had that second cup of
coffee. ( he vomits )
Mother2 : ( In echo voice ) Jim never vomits at home.
Elaine : I'm sorry I had to wake you, I'm just looking for a
doctor, there's nothing to worry about.
Woman3 : Stewardess, I think the man sitting next to me is
a Doctor.
Elaine : Sir, excuse me sir, I am sorry I have to wake you,
sir, are you a doctor?
Rumack : That's right.
Elaine : We have some passengers that are very sick, could you
come take a look at them?
Rumack : Yes, of course. . . ( To sick woman ) Let me see your
tongue. ( eggs begin to come out of her mouth. Rumack
cracks one and a bird flys out ) I'll be back in a
minute. ( To Elaine )
You'd better tell the Captain we've got to land as soon
as possible, we've got to get them to the hospital. . .
Elaine : A hospital . . what is it?
Rumack : Its a big building with patients, but that's not
important right now. Tell the captain I must speak
to him.
Elaine : Certainly.
( Victor is getting sick )
Oever : Victor, we're running into some heavy weather . . .
can you ( Victor passes out ) Roger! Take OVER!
Rumack : Captain, how soon can you land?
Oever : I can't tell.
Rumack : You can tell me, I'm a doctor.
Oever : NO, I mean I'm just not sure.
Rumack : Well, can't you take a guess?
Oever : Well, not for another 2 hours.
Rumack : You can't take a guess for another 2 hours?
Oever : No, no, no. I mean we can't land for another 2 hours
fog has closed down everything this side of the
mountains. We've got to get through to Chicago.
????????: What is it doctor?
Rumack : I'm not sure. I haven't seen anything like this since
the Anita Bryant concert. What was it we had for
dinner tonight?
Elaine : Well, we had a choice, steak or fish.
Rumack : Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna. What did he
have?
Elaine : Fish . . .
Attendnt: Doctor, there are 2 more sick people and the rest of
the passengers are worried.
Rumack : I'll go take care of the passengers. Find out what the
two sick people had for dinner.
Oever : This is Captain Oever speaking, been a little bumpy up
here, but we'll be past it in a couple minutes. A few
points of interest we are now flying over Hoover damn
and a little later on, we'll pass just to the south of
the Grand Canyon. Meanwhile, relax and enjoy your
flight, okay? CHICAGO: THIS IS FLIGHT 2-0-9er. . .
We're in trouble, we've got to have all traffic below
us cleared. I want a priority approach and landing in
Chicago.
Mother2: Stewardess, my husband is very sick can you do
something please?
Elaine : Well, the doctor will be with you in just a moment.
One thing, do you know what he had for dinner?
Mother2 : Yes, of course, we both had fish. Why?
Elaine : Oh, its nothing to be alarmed about. We'll be back to
you very quickly.
Elaine : Dr Rumack, Mr Hammond ate fish, and Randy said there
five more cases and they all had fish too.
Rumack : And the Co-Pilot had fish, what did the navigator have?
Elaine : He had fish.
Rumack : Alright, now we know what we're up against. Every
passenger on this flight who had fish for dinner will
become violently ill in the next half hour ( Oever
notices he had fish and begins to come down with the
symptoms as they are described )
Elaine : Just how serious is it Doctor?
Rumack : Extremely serious. It starts with a slight fever and
dryness of the throat. When the virus penetrates the
red blood cells, the victim becomes dizzy begins to
experience an itchy rash, then the poison goes to work
on the central nervous system, severe muscle spasms
followed by the inevitable grueling. At this point,
the entire digestive system collapses accompanied by
uncontrollable flatulence ( Oever begins to fart )
Until finally, the poor bastard is reduced to a
quivering wasted piece of jelly.
Oever : Au--to--ma-tic pi-lot.
Elaine : ( Searches for button ) Automatic pilot, automatic
pilot, there it is . . . ( Otto begins to inflate)
Rumack : I'll go back to the passengers.
Chicago : Come in 2-0-9er, this is Chicago. Flight 2-0-9er,
come in.
Elaine : This is Elaine Dickenson, I'm the stewardess,
Captain Oever has passed out on the floor and
the co-pilot and navigator too. We're in
terrible trouble, over.
MCrosky : Roger, Elaine, Roger. I read you. This is Steve
McCrosky at Chicago air control, Back to you in
a minute ( To Tower ) Hold all takeoffs, I don't
want another plane in the air. When the 508
reports, bring it straight in. Put out a general
bulletin to suspend meal service on flights out
of Los Angeles. Tell all dispatchers to remain at
their posts, its gonna be long night. How bout
some coffee Johnny?
Johnny : NO THANKS!
MCrosky : I want the weather on every landing field this side
of the line, no matter what the size. Do you
understand? Anyplace, anyplace where there's a
chance to land that plane. ( To Siamese twins )
Stan, go up stairs to the tower and get a runway
diagram. Terry, check down the field for emergency
equipment.
Airdude : Chief we got fog right down to the deck, every
place east of the Rockies. There's no possible
place to land, they'll have to come through to
Chicago.
MCrosky : Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.
I want the best available man on this, a man who
knows that plane inside and out and won't crack
under pressure.
Johnny : How 'bout Mr Rogers?
MCrosky : Get me REX KRAMER! Elaine, right next to the throttle
is the air speed gauge. What speed does it indicate?
Elaine : 520 miles per hour.
MCrosky : Good now, check your altitude. That's the dial just
below and to the right of the air speed indicator.
Elaine : 35,000 feet. NO wait, 34,000 feet . . . NO WAIT,
its dropping. Its dropping fast, why's it doing
that? Oh my god, the automatic pilot, its
deflating.
MCrosky : Don't panic, on the belt line of the automatic pilot
there's a tube, now that is the manual inflation
nozzle. Take it out and blow on it.
Passngr : What the hell's going on up there?
Rumack : Elaine?
Elaine : Yes, Doctor.
Rumack : Elaine, you're a member of this crew. Can you face
a few unpleasant facts?
Elaine : NO.
Rumack : Alright, unless I get those people to a hospital
quickly, I can't even be sure of saving their lives.
Now, is there anyone on board who can land this
plane?
Elaine : Well, no, no one I know of.
Rumack : I think you ought to know what are chances are. The
life of everyone on board depends on one thing:
finding someone on board who can not only fly this
plane, but who didn't have fish for dinner.
Elaine : Ladies and gentleman, this is your stewardess speaking
We regret any inconvenience the sudden cabin movement
might have caused this is due to periodic airpockets we
encountered. There's no reason to be alarmed and we hope
you enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there
anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?
( PANDEMONIUM ENSUES, EVERYONE RUNS EVERYWHERE . . .)
( Back at Rex's house )
Paul : Hello, I am Paul Puree from the airline, I'm here to
pick up Captain Kramer.
MsKramer: Oh, yes come in Paul, Rex will be right out.
Dog : Ruff, Ruff ( starts to grab paul's leg)
MsKramer: Shep, sit. So, I understand you all have a real
emergency down there.
Paul : Yes, something like that, but as I said, they didn't
have time to ( tries to get dog off leg ) tell me
very much. Ahhhh.
MsKramer: Shep, no. I'll bet you have exciting things happen all
the time down there.
Paul : Well, the airline business does have its moments ( still
trying to get rid of dog ) but after a while you get
used to it.
MsKramer: Shep! Come. He gets so excited when new people are
here. Are you a pilot yourself?
Paul : NO, (ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh) I am in a training program. . .
Kramer : Its unbelievable, just unbelievable, you know how many
times I've warned them about food inspection.
MsKramer: You'd think after all these years someone would listen
to you ( dog and Paul wrestling in background)
Kramer : Airport management, the FAA and the airlines. They're
all cheats and liars. Alright, lets get outta here.
Attndnt : I'm sorry to bother you, I was just looking for someone
with flying experience.
Striker : When they built those roads they had no thought of
drainage in mind, so we had to take a special jeep
up to the main road. In fact, we were lucky to even
get a jeep since just the day before the only one we
had broke down, had a bad axle. ( The passenger
next to him douses himself in gasoline and lights
a match, then pauses while stewardess talks to
Striker )
Attndnt : Excuse me sir, there's been a little problem in the
cockpit . . .
Striker : The cockpit . . . what is it?
Attndnt : Its the little room in the front of the plane where the
pilots sit, but that's not important now. You see the
first officer is ill and the Captain need someone to
help him with the radio. Do you know anything about
planes?
Striker : Well, I flew in the war, but that was years ago, I
wouldn't know anything about it.
Attndnt : Won't you go up, please? ( Striker agrees, passenger
next to him blows out match, but blows himself up
accidently anyway )
Striker : The stewardess said . . . BOTH PILOTS????????
Rumack : Can fly this plane?
Striker : Surely you can't be serious?
Rumack : I am serious, and don't call me Shirley!
Attndnt : Doctor, I've checked everyone. Mr. Striker is the
only one.
Rumack : What flying experience have you had?
Striker : I flew single engine fighters in the Air Force,
but this plane has four engines. Its an entirely
different kind of flying, altogether.
All Together: Its a entirely different kind of flying.
Striker : Besides, I haven't touched any kind of plane in six
years.
Rumack : Mr. Striker, I know nothing about flying, but there's
one thing I do know: You're the only one on this plane
who can possibly fly it, you're the only chance we've
got.
MCrosky : NO, that's right, that's what I said . . . tell them all
to acknowledge and stand-by. Get me every piece of
emergency equipment you can reach. Alert rescue units
every mile of the way, from here to the rockies.
Towergy : Chief . . .
MCrosky : We'll need a pre-landing flight check, tell 'em I want
it in the dispatch office and tell 'em I want it here
fast.
Towergy : Its your wife.
MCrosky : ( To wife ) I want the kids in bed by nine, the dog
fed, the yard watered and the gate locked. And get a
note to the milkman NO MORE CHEESE! CLICK! Where the
hell's Kramer?
Kramer : No, we can't do that, the risk of a flame out is too
great, leave 'em at 24,000 . . . no, feet. One of the
passengers is gonna land that plane.
Paul : Is that possible?
Kramer : Possible, its a 100-1 shot. ( Car hits a cyclist )
Kramer : I know this guy.
Paul : You do?
Cyclist : Asssss-hole!
Paul : Who is it?
Kramer : Name is Ted Striker, I flew with him during the war,
it won't make my job any easier tonight. Ted Striker
was a crack flight leader, up to a point. He was one
of those men who, lets say, felt to much inside, maybe
you know the kind. Went all to pieces on one particular
mission, lets just hope that doesn't happen tonight.
Striker : Lets see. Altitude, 24,000 feet... level flight, speed
520 knots. Course, 0-9er-0, trim, mixture, wash, rinse,
spin . . .
Elaine : Ted, what are you doing here? You can't fly this plane!
Striker : That's what I've been trying to tell these people.
Rumack : Elaine, I don't have time to say this gently so I'll be
very direct everyone on this plane is in a desperate
situation, Mr. Striker is the only hope we've got.
Striker : Those are the flaps, this is the thrust, this must turn
on the landing lights ( Plane starts to nose dive when
that knob is turned ) Mayday, mayday, mayday.
MCrosky : MAYDAY? What the hell does that mean?
Johnny : Mayday? Why that's the Russian New Year. You know,
we'll have a big parade, we'll serve hot hor'doevres . .
Oldlady : I can't stand it anymore, I've got to get outta here.
I've gotta get outta here.
Elaine : Calm down get ahold of yourself.
Gentlmn : Stewardess, please, let me handle this ( grabs her and
starts to shake her )
Gntlmn2 : Calm down, now get back to your seat, I'll take care of
this. CALM DOWN, GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF !
Nun : Mr, your wanted on the phone . . . Everything's going
to be alright < SLAP >! Please.
Gntlmn3 : Sister, I'll handle this. < SLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAPPP >
( There is now a line of people with baseball bats and whips
waiting to help the woman )
Zealot5 : Excuse me, we'd like you to have this flower ( Kramer
punches the man )
Zealot6 : Excuse me sir, would you . . . ( Kramer pushes him out
of the way )
Zealot7 : Donations for the Reverend Moon? ( Kramer punches him )
Zealot8 : Jews for Jesus? ( Crack ! ) Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Zealot9 : Read about Jehovah's witness? ( Kramer kicks him )
Zealt10 : How about Buddhism? ( Whack! )
Zealt11 : Help Jerry's kids? ( punch! )
Zealt12 : Scientology?
Zealt13 : Avoid nuclear power? ( Bap ! Bop ! )
Announc : Your attention please! No Frills passengers no arriving
please have your baggage claim checks ready to show the
attendant upon leaving the terminal. ( Passengers are
coming down the conveyer belt for luggage )
Kramer : I know but this guy has no flying experience at'all.
He's a menace to himself and everything else in the
air. . . yes, birds too.
MCrosky : Okay, okay, he's a terrible risk, but what other choice
have we got? That's the whole story there Rex,
everything we know.
Kramer : Alright Steve, lets face a few facts. As you know I
flew with this man during the war. He's going to
have enough on his mind without worrying about those
times when . . . when things weren't so good.
MCrosky : Right now, things aren't so good.
Kramer : Let me tell you something Steve, Ted Striker was a
top notch squadron leader a long time ago.
MCrosky : I want you to get on the horn and talk that guy down
Now, you're going to have to let him get the feel of
that airplane, and you'll have to talk him on to the
approach. So help me, you'll have to talk him right
down to the ground. ( Crash )
Kramer : Very well, put Striker on the speaker.
MCrosky : Use my radio there. Looks like I picked the wrong week
to quit drinking. ( gulp )
Towergy : Now, you can work 'im direct from here, Captain.
Kramer : Thanks. Striker . . . Striker, this is Captain Rex
Kramer speaking.
Striker : YES, -CAPTAIN- Kramer, I read you loud and clear.
Kramer : Alright, its obvious you remember me. What do you
say you and I just forget about everything except
what we have to do now.
Striker : Lets not kid each other _Kramer_ you know I've never
flown a bucket like this. I'm gonna need all the
luck there is.
Kramer : Standby Striker. Our one hope is to build this man
up, I've got to give him all the confidence I can.
Striker- have you ever flown a multi-engine plane
before?
Striker : NO, never.
Kramer : ( TO McCrosky thinking that the radio to Striker is off)
SHIT! This is a God damned waste of time, there's no
way he can land that plane.
MCrosky : (Radio is still on) Grab ahold of yourself, you gotta
talk him down, you gotta.
Kramer : We ought to route him in Lake Michigan, at least we'll
avoid killing innocent people.
MCrosky : You're the only chance they've got.
Kramer : Alright, Striker, you listen and listen close flying a
plane is no different from riding a bicycle, just alot
harder to put baseball cards in the spokes. Now, first
I want you to get the feel of the plane. Later, we'll
run down the landing procedure. Now, I want you to
disengage the automatic pilot . . . watch that you don't
make any violent control movements like you did in the
fighter planes.
Striker : Alright, I'm going to unlock the automatic pilot.
Kramer : Now just remember the controls will feel very heavy
compared to a fighter. Don't worry about that its
perfectly normal. ( Plane starts to nosedive and
passengers begin to panic ) Now one more thing,
is there somebody there who can work the radio
and leave you free for flying?
Striker : Yes, the stewardess is here with me.
Kramer : Good, have her sit in the co-pilot's seat.
Striker : Elaine, he wants you to sit in the co-pilot's seat.
Passengr: What's going on? We have a right to know the truth!
Rumack : Alright, I'm going to level with you all. The most
important thing now is that you remain calm. There's
no reason to panic ( his nose starts to grow ). Now,
it is true that one of the crew members is ill,
slightly ill, but the other two pilots are just fine,
they're at the controls, flying the plane, free to
pursue a life of religious fulfillment.
Striker : The radio's all yours now. And keep an eye on that
number 3 engine gauge over there, its running a
little hot ( sign flashes "a little hot" )
Kramer : Striker, before we start, I'd like to say something.
I know that right now things must look pretty rough
up there, but if you do what I tell you, when I tell
you to do it, there's no reason why you shouldn't
have complete confidence in your chances to come out
of this thing alive and in one piece. Striker, what
kind of weather are you in up there?
Elaine : Rain!
Striker : And a little ice.
Elaine : And a little ice.
Kramer : How's it handling?
Striker : Sluggish, like a wet sponge.
Elaine : Sluggish, like a wet sponge.
Kramer : Alright, Striker, your doing just fine.
Striker : Its a damn good thing he doesn't know how much I hate
his guts.
Elaine : Its a damn good thing you don't know how much he
hates your guts.
Jivemn2 : Mnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Attndnt : Can I get you something?
Jivemn2 : S'mo fo butter layin' to the bone. Jackin' me up.
Tightly.
Attndnt : I'm sorry I don't understand.
Jivemn1 : Cutty say he cant hang.
Woman4 : Oh stewardess, I speak jive.
Attndnt : Ohhhh, good.
Woman4 : He said that he's in great pain and he wants to know
if you can help him.
Attndnt : Would you tell him to just relax and I'll be back as
soon as I can with some medicine.
Woman : Jus' hang loose blooood. She goonna catch up on the`
rebound a de medcide.
Jivemn2 : What it is big mamma, my mamma didn't raise no dummy, I
dug her rap.
Woman4 : Cut me som' slac' jak! Chump don wan no help, chump
don git no help. Jive ass dude don got no brains
anyhow.
MCrosky : Get me Captain Oever's wife on the phone, we'd better
let her know what's going on.
Towergy : Chief, this weather bulletin just came off the wire.
MCrosky : Johnny, what can you make outta this?
Johnny : This? Why I could make a hat, or a brooch, a
pterodactyl. . .
( Phone rings at Captain Oever's wife's house, she answers. )
MSOever : Hello?
Towergy : Mrs. Oever?
MSOever : Yes, this is Mrs. Oever.
Towergy : This is Ed Masias calling from the airport. There's
some trouble on your husband's flight. We don't know
how serious it is yet, but Steve McCrosky say you may
want to get down here right away.
MSOever : Yes, I'll be right down. . . ( hangs up the phone )
I've gotta go to the airport, you can let yourself
out the back door. There's juice in the refridger-
ator. ( We see she is sleeping with a horse)
Horse : Nayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.... plllllllllllllllllllll.
Winey.
Elaine : Dr Rumack says the sick people are getting worse and
we`re running out of time.
Striker : ( In echoey voice to himself ) I've got to concentrate
oncentrate, oncentrate. I've got to concentrate,
concentrate, concentrate. Hello, hello, hello.
Echo, echo, echo. Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbau
Manny Motta, motta, motta.
Man : How're you doing honey?
Woman5 : I'm so hot, I'm burning up.
Man : I'll turn on some air. ( The whole cabin starts to blow
with wind. " Close the window " )
Striker : Chicago, the passengers are beginning to panic, when do
we start down?
Kramer : Not just yet, but you're in our range any second now.
I don't understand it should have been in range 10
minutes ago. Genderson, check the radar range,
anything yet?
Gendrsn : ( Looks in an oven ) Its about 2 more minutes chief.
MCrosky : 2 more minutes? They could be miles off course.
Kramer : That's impossible there on instruments ( a brass
ensemble begins to play )
MCrosky : This is going to be a real sweat. Genderson, let me
know when you get anything. Got a cigarette Nelson?
I can't take much more of this. Looks like I picked
the wrong week to quit amphetamines. Johnny, how
about some more coffee?
Johnny : NO THANKS!
Towergy : Chief, these reporters won't leave without a statement.
Reportr : How much longer can those passengers hold out?
MCrosky : A, half an hour or less.
Reportr : Who's flying the plane?
MCrosky : One of the passengers. But, he's an experienced Air
Force pilot who flew during the war, so there's no
cause for alarm. . . Here, take over.
Reportr : What kind of plane is it?
Johnny : Oh its a big pretty white plane with red stripes,
curtains in the window and wheels. It looks like
a big tylenol.
Reportr : Okay boys, lets get some pictures. ( Take photos off
of wall . . .)
( Various reports from around the world are shown )
TVGUY : This bulletin just handed to me . . . stricken airliner
approaches Chicago.
Countpt : They bought their tickets, they knew what they were
getting into. I say let em crash.
Man2 : Would you like a little whiskey ma'am?
Woman6 : ( In a berating voice ) CERTAINLY NOT! ( She the does
cocaine )
Striker : How are the passengers doing?
Rumack : I won't deceive you Mr. Striker . . . we're running out
of time.
Striker : Surely there must be something you can do.
Rumack : I'm doing everything I can and stop calling me Shirley.
Nun : R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me . . . Sock
it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me . . . A little
respect ( passenger vomits as she sings ) Just a little
bit . . .
Attndnt : Booo-hooo ( she crys )
Rumack : Randy, are you alright?
Attndnt : Oh, Dr. Rumack, I'm scared. I've never been so scared.
And besides, I'm 26 and I'm not married.
Rumack : We're going to make it, you've got to believe that.
Woman3 : Dr. Rumack, do you have any idea when we'll be landing?
Rumack : Pretty soon, how are you bearing up?
Woman3 : Well, to be honest, I've never been so scared. But, at
least I have a husband. ( Randy sobs harder )
Voice : Stay in formation, target's just ahead. Target should
be clear if you go in low enough. You'll have to decide
You'll have to decide...
Striker : oh rats! we lost number 4.
Elaine : What happened Ted, what went wrong?
Striker : The oil pressure, I forgot to check the oil pressure.
When Kramer hears about this, the shit's gonna hit
the fan ( We see shit hitting a fan )
Kramer : Watch that oil temperature, what the hell's he doing up
there? Striker, that plane can't land itself, it
takes a pilot that can handle pressure.
MCrosky : Ease off Rex, he hasn't flown for years, its not his
fault. It could happen to any pilot.
Johnny : It happened to Barbara Stanwick.
MCrosky : Don't push him too hard, give him a break. You gotta
remember who you're dealing with.
Johnny : Nick, Leaf, Jerrod, there's a fire in the barn.
Striker : He's right, I can't take the pressure. I was crazy to
think I could land this plane.
Elaine : Ted, you're the only hope.
Striker : I don't care. ( Plane starts to nosedive again ) I don't
have what it takes. They'd be better off with someone
who'd never flown before.
MCrosky : Bad news, the fog is getting thicker.
Johnny : And Leon's getting laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrger.
Striker : I know what you're going to say, so save your breath.
Rumack : Well, I don't have anything to say, you've done the
best you could. You really have, the best you could.
You can't expect to win em all. But, I want to tell
you something I've kept to myself through these years.
I was in the war myself, medical corps. I was on late
duty one night when they brought in a badly wounded
pilot from one of the raids. He could barely talk.
He looked at me and said " The odds were against
us up there, but we went in anyway, I'm glad Captain
made the right decision. The pilot's name was George
Zip.
Striker : George Zip said that?
Rumack : The last thing he said to me, doc, he said, "Sometime
when the crew is up against it, the breaks are beating
the boys, tell them to get out there and give it all
they got and win just one for the Zipper. I don't
know where I'll be then doc, he said, but I won't smell
too good, that's for sure.
Striker : Excuse me doc, I got a plane to land.
Kramer : Alright Striker, you'd better stay up there for a bit,
as soon as the fog lifts, we'll bring you in.
Striker : I'll take it Elaine. Listen to me Kramer, Dr. Rumack
says the sick people are in critical condition. And
every minute counts. We've got to land now.
Kramer : Don't be a fool Striker, you know what a landing like
this means, you more than anybody. I'm ordering you
to stay up there.
Striker : NO DICE CHICAGO. I'm giving the orders and we're
coming in. I guess the foot's on the other hand now,
isn't it Kramer?
Kramer : He'll never make it in this soup, not one chance in a
million.
MCrosky : I know, I know, but its his ship now, his command, he's
in charge, he's the boss, head man, top dog, big cheese,
Towergy : Captain, look at this!
MCrosky : Passengers certain to die!
Kramer : Airline negligent.
Johnny : There's a sale at Penny's!
MCrosky : Alright, I'll need 3 men up in the tower. You Newbower,
you Maceias. . .
Johnny : Me John! Big tree.
Kramer : Standby, Striker. We're going to the tower, good luck.
Johnny : The tower, the tower . . . Repunzle, Repunzle . . .
Woman4 : Stewardess, how soon so we land?
Attndnt : It won't be long now, try not to worry.
Towerguy: We're all ready sir, this is Captain McCrosky, Captain
Roberts, Captain Kramer, Captain Kolosomo, Captain
Henshaw this is Captain Gatz, Captain Kramer, Captain
Gatz, Captain Henshaw, Captain Roberts.
MCrosky : Alright Kolosomo, you work the relay, Roberts, check all
air traffic within five miles, get that finger out of
your ear, you don't know where that finger's been ( guy
smells his finger ) Got a cigarette Nels? Your husband
and the others are alive, but unconscious.
Johnny : Just like Gerald Ford.
MCrosky : Now, there's a chance we can save them, if Striker can
get that plane down in time.
MSOever : That isn't much of a chance, is it?
MCrosky : I don't know, I don't know, but we're doing everything
we can, now excuse me huh?
Johnny : Where did you get that dress? Its aweful . . . and
those shoes, and that coat, geeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzz.
( Tower Guys Playing Atari basketball on radar screen )
Towergy : 8 miles. Looks like their heading 0-4-4.
Elaine : We are now at 2000 feet beginning our decent.
Kramer : Steve, I want every light you can get poured onto
that field. ( A dump truck dumps table lamps onto the
runway )
Towergy : Tower to all emergency vehicles, runway is 9er.
Airport vehicles take stations 1 and 2. Civilian
equipment number 3. Air Force positions number 4
and 5. All ambulances go to number 3. Air
Israel, please clear the runway ( Plane is shown
wearing a beard, hat, tallis, and yarmulke. )
Attendnt: In a moment, we'll ask you to assume crash positions.
your life jackets are located under your seat. Place
the jacket over your head. And when I give the word,
pull the cord on the right side flap. Your seat
cushions are also equipped with a flotation device.
Radio : WZAZ in Chicago, where disco lives forever ( plane
knocks down station's transmitter )
Kramer : Watch your altitude Striker, you're too erratic. You
can't come straight in. You've got enough fuel left
for two hours of flying.
Striker : I'll take it Elaine. Listen to me Kramer! We have
people up here who will die in less than an hour
let alone two. I may bend your precious airplane,
but I'll get it down. I'm putting the landing gear
down now.
Attendnt: Mr. Striker, the passengers are ready.
Striker : Thank you Randy. You'd better leave sweetheart. You
might get hurt up here.
Elaine : Ted,
Striker : Yes?
Elaine : I wanted you to know, now . . . I'm very proud.
Striker : Tell 'em the gear is down and we're ready to land.
Elaine : The gear is down and we're ready to land.
Kramer : Alright, he's on final now, put out all runway lights
except 9er.
Towerguy: Captain, maybe we ought to turn on the search lights
now.
MCrosky : No, thats just what they'll be expecting us to do.
Rumack : I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all
counting on you.
Kramer : Alright, now just listen carefully . . . you should
be able to see the runway at 300 feet. Aim the
touchdown a third of the way along. There's a slight
crosswind from the right so be ready for it. Land
too fast, use your emergency breaks. The red handle's
right in front of you. If that doesn't stop you . . .
( long pause ) . . . if that doesn't stop you cut the
four ignition switches over the co-pilot's head.
Do you see us now? You should be able to see the field
now. ( Dog barks )
MCrosky : It sure is quiet out there. . .
Kramer : Yeah, too quiet.
MCrosky : Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing
glue. ( inhales some glue and falls over )
Striker : There it is.
Kramer : There he is. Striker, you're coming in too fast . . .
Striker : I know, I know.
Elaine : He knows, he knows.
Airdude : Getting below 700 now, still going down. 675, 650, 625,
he's holding. . .no, no he's down, he's down.
Kramer : Sound your alarm bell, now.
Attendnt: Alright now everybody, get in crash positions ( The
passengers arrange themselves as if they just crash-
ed. )
Kramer : Put down 30 degrees of flap. Striker now listen to me
Remember your breaks and switches, get ready to fly it
out . . .
Airdude : He's all over the place, 900 feet, up to 1300 feet . . .
what an asshole.
Kramer : More mast rudder, put down more flap . . .
Johnny : ( Unplugs runway lights ) Just kidding.
Kramer : Striker, lift your nose, straighten your wings. You're
coming in too fast, watch your speed.
MCrosky : He's coming right at us . . . ( jumps through a window )
Kramer : You're coming in too hot. Ease up on the throttle.
Watch for that crosswind. Aim for the numbers, you'll
have to dip your left wing. You're drifting, keep your
eyes on the far end of the runway. You're too low
damnit! Watch your stall speed. Ease her down, down.
The break . . . pull the red handle.
Rumack : I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all
counting on you.
Voice2 : Flight 2-0-9 now arriving gate 8- gate 9, gate 10
Kramer : Push a button.
Voice2 : Gate 13, gate 14, gate 15 . . .
Johnny : Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, toto . . . its a twister,
its a twister.
Voice : Gate 23, 24, 25 . . .
( Plane lands safely )
Rumack : I just want to tell you both-- good luck, we're all
counting on you.
Kramer : Striker, Striker, you alright?
Striker : Yeah, we're okay.
Kramer : Ted that was probably the worst landing in the history
of this airport, but some of us here, particularly me
would like to buy you a drink and shake your hand . .
and Ted I just want you to know that when the going
got rough . . .
Attendnt: Okay alright, have a nice day . . .have a nice day,
thank you for flying TransAmerican.
Kramer : Lonliness, thats the bottom line. I was never happy
as a child . . . Christmas Ted, what does that mean
to you? It was living hell. Do you know what its
like falling in the mud and getting kicked, in the head.
With an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does,
that never happens. Sorry Ted, that's a dumb question.
Attendnt: Have a nice day.
Kramer : Municipal bonds Ted, I'm talking double A rating. . .
the best investment in America.
( Ted and Elaine go off into the sunset and Otto and his
inflatable friend Ottoette fly the plane off )
THE END!!!!!
That's a classic.
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