aren't so good.
- Let me tell you something.
Striker was a top-notch
squadron leader long ago.
Get on the horn
and talk that guy down.
Let him get the feel
of that airplane,
then you'll have to talk him
right down to the ground.
Very well.
Put Striker on the speaker.
Use my radio.
I took the wrong week
to quit drinking.
You can work them direct
from here, Captain.
Striker? Striker, this is
Captain Rex Kramer speaking.
Yes, Captain Kramer.
Read you loud and clear.
All right.
It's obvious you remember me.
What do you say we forget about
everything, except what we must do?
Let's not kid each other, Kramer.
You know I've never flown
a bucket like this.
- I'll need all the luck there is.
- Stand by, Striker.
Our one hope is to build this man up.
I've got to give him confidence.
Striker, you ever flown
a multi-engine plane?
- No, never.
- Shit! It's a goddamn waste of time.
There's no way he can land it!
You got to talk him down! You got to!
Route him into Lake Michigan. At
least avoid 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