The licenses of two very experienced air line pilots have been revoked after they reportedly missed their destination by about 150 miles on October 21, 2009. At first it was reported that the pilots fell asleep and missed the airport in Minneapolis. After speaking with the pilots they determined that they were not asleep instead they were looking at their laptops working on the new monthly crew flight scheduling system. The system changed after the Northwest-Delta merger.

Air traffic controllers in Denver and in Minneapolis tried repeatedly to contact the pilots with no success for about an hour. Other pilots as well tried to reach the plane on other radio frequencies but still no answer. Authorities became so concerned that the National Guard jets were readied for takeoff at two locations and the White House Situation Room alerted senior officials, who monitored the airliner as it flew across mid-continent out of contact with anyone on the ground.

After reading this story I believe I am even more terrified of flying than I was before. I am sure there are several other Americans that feel the same way. If the pilots can’t pay attention to flying the plane, then how are we suppose to feel safe flying. In a car at least if you have a passenger then they can kind of help watch out. But in a plane there is only the pilots in the cockpit and if they are both distracted, who is going to keep the plane from crashing? I have never flown in my life and am terrified to even think of it and this story certainly does not ease my fears.