Red Bike Publishing Books

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Make the Right Decisions

     “I guess by the looks on your faces you realize the weather forecast for today.” Jason broke the somber silence. The clouds were low, and light fog whisped on the mountains around the Beliem River like cobwebs.
     “Those of you flying the southern routes – Doug, Bryan, Steve, and John – consider staying home with your families. This is a good time to take the day off and catch up on whatever paperwork you might have,” Jason said as he traced a pointer along the wall map. “The rest of you have somewhat clear flying ahead but be prepared for the worst if the weather changes.”
    “Jason,” Steve said. “I think today would be great for getting John used to flying under conditions he will most likely face. He seems to grasp the fundamentals of flight related to the mountainous areas and is impressive flying under simulated fog conditions.”
     “I understand, but what are you suggesting? Not flying would actually be the proper realistic response to the weather condition,” said Jason.

     “No sir, just fly a little north of here and come south a little to see how he handles the light fog,” Steve explained. “I can point out terrain features to help him make the right decisions.”


Thursday, January 23, 2014

I Got This, Don't Ride Me

     John left through the creaky screen door into the thick night air. He noticed that the air smelled musty, and the sky started clouding a little. Cooler air was coming in and surely the warming air would rise and present a foggy morning.             
      February through April was the time of year for rain. John nodded greetings to some of the other pilots as he made his way to the dorm. He saw someone in the darkness approach from the direction of John’s building.
     “I guess Steve has told you the good news,” said Jason’s tall silhouette.
     “Yes, he has. Thank you,” replied John.
     “You’re welcome. If you fly as well as you are determined too, that’s great. I let you fly because I trust you with the lives of locals, missionaries and possibly my family. I have to know I can put my life and those of others in your care.”
     “You’re all safe with me,” John said.
     “I hope so. There are people all over the world trusting me to make the right decisions with their family members. That means choosing carefully who will pilot them. If anything happens, I answer to these people. That means total concentration on the work at hand, nothing else. From the time your training begins, I want you to promise all your focus will be from flight to flight. If not, I will ground you. I can’t fire you, but I can make your life so miserable as to contemplate resignation. Do we have an agreement?” Jason asked.
     He thinks he has it all figured out, thought John. It rubbed him the wrong way. “I appreciate your concern, but don’t ride me. I do well at the yoke, and I come with more than a thousand hours of flying under dangerous conditions. This is nothing new.”
     Both men stood head to head in the dark, neither knowing what to do next. After a few moments, Jason spoke up. “Why don’t we just call it a night? Just remember what I told you. The responsibility for these people lies with you.”

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.