on... automatic pilot.
Automatic pilot, automatic pilot...
There it is!
I'll go back to the passengers.
Come in, 209er. This is Chicago.
Flight 209er, come in.
This is Elaine Dickinson,
the stewardess.
Captain Oveur's passed out.
We've lost the co-pilot
and navigator, too. We're in trouble.
Roger. I'm Steve McCroskey,
Chicago air control.
I'll be back in a moment.
Hold all takeoffs.
When 508 reports,
bring it straight in.
Suspend all meal service
on flights leaving Los Angeles.
Tell all dispatchers
to remain at the post.
- How about coffee?
- No, thanks.
I want the weather
on every available landing field.
You understand?
Any place available
to land that plane!
Go to the tower
and get a runway diagram.
Check down the field
for emergency equipment.
Chief, we got fog every place
east of the Rockies.
They'll have
to come through to Chicago.
Looks like I picked the wrong week
to quit smoking.
Get the best available man
who won't crack under pressure.
How about Mr Rogers?
Get me Rex Kramer.
Next to the throttle
is the air speed gauge.
What speed does it indicate?
- 520 miles per hour.
- Good. Very good.
Now, check your altitude.
That's the dial below and right
of the speed indicator.
35,000 feet.
No, wait. 34,000 feet.
No. It's dropping!
It's dropping fast!
Why is it doing that?
Oh, my God! The automatic pilot,
it's deflating!
Elaine, don't panic.
On his belt line
there's a hollow tube.
That's the manual inflation nozzle.
Pull it out and blow on it.
What the hell's going on up there?
- Elaine.
- Yes, Doctor?
Elaine, you're a member of this crew.
- Can you face some unpleasant facts?
- No.
Unless we hospitalise
those people quickly,
I can't be sure
of saving their lives.
Is there anyone on board
who can land this plane?
Well...
No. No one I know of.
You ought to know our chances.
Our lives depend on just one thing -
finding someone to fly this plane
who didn't have fish for dinner.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is your stewardess speaking.
We regret any inconvenience
the sudden cabin movement caused.
This is due to periodic air pockets.
There's no reason to become alarmed.
We hope you enjoy your flight.
By the way, is there anyone
on board who can fly a plane?
Hello. I'm Paul Carey
from the airline.
- I'm here to pick up Captain Kramer.
- Yes. Come in, Paul.
Rex will be right out.
Shep, sit. Sit!
I understand there's an emergency.
Something like that. There wasn't
time to tell me very much...
Shep, no!
I'll bet exciting things
happen all the time down there.
Airline business
does have its moments.
After a while, you get used to it.
Shep! Come!
He gets so excited
when new people are here.
- Are you a pilot?
- No, I'm in...
a training program.
It's unbelievable.
It's just unbelievable.
How many times have I warned
about food inspection?
You'd think
someone would listen to you.
Well, airport management,
the FAA, and the airlines...
they're all cheats and liars.
All right. Let's get out of here.
I'm sorry, I was just looking
for someone with flying experience.
When they built those roads,
they didn't think about drainage,
so we had to take a special jeep
up to the main road.
We were lucky to get a jeep,
since, just the day before,
only one we had broke down.
It had a bad axle...
Excuse me, sir.
There's a problem in the cockpit.
The cockpit? What is it?
The little room where the pilot sits.
That's not important.
The first officer is ill,
and the captain needs someone
to help him with the radio.
Do you know anything about planes?
I flew in the war years ago.
I wouldn't know anything about it.
Would you go up, please?
The stewardess said...
- Both pilots?
- Can you fly this plane and land it?
Surely, you can't be serious.
I am serious,
and don't call me Shirley.
Doctor, I've checked everyone.
Mr Striker's the only one.
What's your flying experience?
I flew single-engine fighters,
but this plane