Anytime you use the word “emergency” in the context of aviation, people get understandably concerned. A look at what happens during such an event reveals the planning and forethought that goes into aviation. And, as a good friend of mine likes to say, “With knowledge comes comfort.”

An odd thought ran through my mind the week before Christmas. Spending my second night in a hotel while the "BLIZZARD OF '09" dumped a couple of feet of snow on Baltimore and much of the Northeast, I began to realize, we have this all wrong. We need to have Christmas in summer like they do in Australia.

Fast approach in gusty weather... 

From a frequent flier: While landing in gusty winds it looked like we were going way faster than normal. We floated way down the runway and then pounded on the runway after which the pilots slammed on the brakes! Why would this happen?

If you fly on Southwest Airlines regularly, chances are you’ve probably been on a flight where the cabin breaks into applause upon landing. This happens from time-to-time for various reasons. Often, it’s in response to a “sporty” approach in gusty winds or bad weather that has the Passengers who are not “comfortable fliers” clutching their armrests until touchdown.
 

Brian asked me recently if I had been doing much flying outside of Southwest.