Reply #6: Speaking of the 360 ..

[DemoTex]

Long ago I was flying a trip (ICT-DCA in a B-737-300 .. his leg) with a real asshole captain. He was about 15 years younger than me. Leaving the gate at ICT he blew over a baggage train. Hurt a ramper, we found out later (strike 1!). Also (embarrassment!), we had a UAL captain in the jump-seat.

Then, it was the Bucko Five STAR .. EXPECT to cross Armel (AML) at 8000'. We had a very strong tailwind, and captain wasn't in any hurry to start down. I prodded him, gently. He said, "Hell! wait till those ATC bastards start us down!" I smiled, sat back, and added 15 minutes to the in-range ACARS message to the company.

ATC: US Air 123 .. you gonna make that restriction at Armel? You look high and fast.

Captain (to me): You tell those assholes they waited too long! WAIVE THE RESTRICTION!"

F/O (me): Er .. can you waive?

ATC: US Air 123 .. slow down and do me a couple of lazy 360s. When we see that you can comply with those simple instructions, we might clear you to resume the Bucko Five.