killing innocent people.
You're the only chance they've got.
All right.
Striker, you listen,
and you listen close.
Flying a plane
is like riding a bicycle.
It's just harder
to put baseball cards in the spokes.
First, get the feel of the plane.
Later, we'll run down
the landing procedure.
All right.
Disengage the automatic pilot.
Make no violent control movements
like you did in the fighter planes.
All right.
I'll unlock the automatic pilot.
The controls will feel very heavy
compared to a fighter.
Don't worry about that.
It's perfectly normal.
Now, one more thing.
Can somebody work the radio
and leave you free for flying?
The stewardess is here with me.
Good. Have her sit
in the co-pilot seat.
Elaine, he wants you
to sit in the co-pilot seat.
What's going on?
We have a right to know the truth.
All right, I'll level with you all.
The most important thing
is that you remain calm.
There's no reason to panic.
It's true
one of the crew members is ill.
Slightly ill.
The other two pilots are fine.
They're flying the plane,
free to pursue
a life of religious fulfilment.
The radio is all yours. Keep an eye
on number three engine gauge.
It's running a little hot.
Striker,
first I'd like to say something.
I know things must look
pretty rough up there.
If you do what I tell you
when I tell you,
there's no reason
you should lack confidence
in your chances of coming out
alive and in one piece.
What weather are you in?
- Rain.
- And a little ice.
And a little ice.
- How's it handling?
- Sluggish. Like a wet sponge.
Sluggish. Like a wet sponge.
All right, Striker.
You're doing just fine.
It's damn good
he doesn't know I hate his guts.
It's damn good
you don't know he hates your guts.
Can I get you something?
I'm sorry. I don't understand.
- Stewardess. I speak jive.
- Good.
He said he's in great pain,
and he wants to know
if you can help him?
Tell him to relax.
I'll be back with some medicine.
Call Captain Oveur's wife
and let her know what's going on.
This weather bulletin
just came off the wire.
What can you make out of this?
This? I can make a hat
or a brooch or pterodactyl...
- Hello?
- Mrs Oveur?
Yes, this is Mrs Oveur.
This is Ed Macias
calling from the airport.
There's trouble
on your husband's flight.
We don't know how serious it is,
but Steve McCroskey thought you'd
want to come over right away.
Yes. I'll be right down.
I've got to go to the airport.
You can let yourself
out the back door.
There's juice in the refrigerator.
Doctor says the sick people
are getting worse.
We're running out of time.
I've got to concentrate.
I've got to concentrate.
Hello?
Echo!
Pinch hitting for Pedro Bourbone,
Manny Mota.
- How you doing, honey?
- Jack, I'm so hot, I'm burning up.
I'll turn on some air.
- What's going on?
- Close the window!
Chicago,
the passengers are panicking.
When do we start down?
Not yet. You'll be in radar range
any second now.
They should have been in range
10 minutes ago.
Gunderson, check the radar range.
Anything yet?
About two more minutes, chief.
Two minutes?
They could be miles off course.
Impossible! They're on instruments.
This is going to be a real sweat.
Gunderson,
let me know when you get anything.
Got a cigarette, Nels?
I can't take much more of this.
Looks like I picked the wrong week
to quit amphetamines.
- Johnny, how about some more coffee?
- No, thanks.
These reporters want a statement.
- How much longer can they hold out?
- 30, 45 minutes.
- Who's flying the plane?
- A passenger.
He's an experienced air force pilot.
No cause for alarm.
- Take over.
- What kind of plane?
It's a big, pretty white plane
with red stripes,
curtains and wheels.
It looks like a big tylenol.
OK, boys. Let's get some pictures.
This bulletin just handed to me.
Stricken airliner
approaching Chicago...
Shana, they bought their tickets.
They knew what
they were getting into.
I say, let them