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 has four engines.
It's an entirely different
kind of flying... altogether.
It's an entirely different
kind of flying.
I haven't touched
any kind of plane in six years.
Mr Striker,
I know nothing about flying.
You're the only one on this plane
who can possibly fly it.
You're the only chance we've got.
That's right. That's what I said.
You heard me.
Tell Omaha to acknowledge
and stand by.
Every piece
of emergency equipment available.
Alert rescue units every mile
of the way, from here to the Rockies.
Chief!
We'll need
a free-landing flight check. Fast.
- It's your wife.
- I want the kids in bed by nine,
the dog fed, the yard watered,
the gate locked.
Get a note to the milkman -
"No more cheese."
Where the hell is Kramer?
No, he can't do that.
The risk of a flame-out's too great.
Keep him at 24,000... No, feet.
A passenger is going
to land that plane.
- Is that possible?
- It's a hundred to one shot.
- I know this guy.
- You do? Who is it?
Ted striker.
I flew with him during the war.
It won't make my job easier.
Ted Striker was a crack
flight leader.
He was one of those men who...
felt too much inside.
Maybe you know that kind.
He went all to pieces
on a particular mission.
Let's just hope
that doesn't happen tonight.
Let's see... Altitude, 24,000 feet.
Level flight. Speed, 520 knots.
Course Zero Niner Zero.
Trim, mixture.
Wash, soap, rinse, spin.
Ted! What are you doing here?
You can't fly this plane!
That's what I'm trying to tell them.
Elaine. I don't have time to be
gentle, so I'll be very direct.
Everyone is in a desperate situation.
Mr Striker is the only hope we got.
Those are the flaps.
This is the thrust.
This must turn on the landing lights.
- Mayday! Mayday!
- Mayday? What the hell is that?
May Day's the Russian new year.
We'll have a big parade and serve...
I can't stand it any more.
I've got to get out of here!
Calm down! Get a hold of yourself!
- Please let me handle this.
- I've got to get out...
Calm down. Get to your seat.
I'll handle it.
Calm down. Get ahold of yourself.
Doctor, you're wanted on the phone.
Everything will be all right.
- Sister, I can handle this.
- Got to get out of here!
We'd like you to have this flower.
Excuse me, sir, would you...
Donations for Reverend Moon?
Jews for Jesus?
Read about Jehovah's Witness?
How about Buddhism?
Help Jerry's kids?
- Scientology?
- For nuclear power?
Your attention, please.
No-frills passengers now arriving.
Please have your baggage
claim checks ready to show
upon leaving the terminal.
This guy has no airline experience.
He's a menace
to everything in the air.
Yes, birds, too.
OK, he's a terrible risk,
but what other choice have we got?
That's the whole story, Rex.
Everything we know.
Let's face a few facts.
I flew with Striker during the war.
He can't afford to worry about those
times when... things weren't so good.
- Right now things