Following our initial videos on the tragic crash of Air India 171, your comments poured in, raising critical questions about pilot mental health. We heard you. In this special episode of "Ask the Captain," we are answering YOUR questions and providing a rare, honest look inside the cockpit.
Drawing on his decades of experience as both an airline captain and a trained counselor, Captain Steve directly answers the toughest and most insightful questions submitted by you, our viewers.
This isn't just about one incident; it's about the ongoing, unseen challenges of a pilot's life from the stress of automation and "get-home-itis" to the immense courage it takes to say, "I'm not okay to fly."
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - What are the biggest stressors for pilots in the cockpit today?
03:04 - What is the process to remove a mentally unfit pilot?
04:33 - I can relate to being unfit for duty and being afraid to say something
05:43 - As a pilot and counselor, can you talk about the importance of checking in with your colleagues?
06:56 - We all tend to shoulder the pain of a difficult situation
08:08 - Is there anything positive to come from this terrible disaster?
09:14 - What is your personal preflight human checklist?
11:44 - I can't imagine being in a situation where another crew member endangered the plane
12:48 - Are psychological evaluations also included in regular physical examinations?
14:00 - Most pilots I know said that they would never share that info with the FAA
15:04 - It seems so insane to me that major airlines wouldn't push mental health help after the German wings accident
16:10 - Thank you for your leadership in breaking down the stigma
17:15 - Outro