On 26 Nov 2006 05:56:03 -0800, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

It just seems odd to me, and rather sad. I don't want folks believing
that airplanes fall out of the sky as soon as an experienced pilot lets
go of the controls...


The biggest reason I've had people "refuse" to take the wheel is that
they are enjoying the flight! Looking out the window, talking to
their friends, laughing, and just absorbing as much of the experience
as possible. You say the girl is smart, could it be she is smart
enough to know once she takes the controls that she'll have to focus
on doing the flying instead of just having a fun experience? Or maybe
she knows she won't be steady at the wheel, and doesn't want to
disrupt a good experience for her boyfriend by putting him on a roller
coaster ride. And then there's the possibility that she doesn't want
to be judged at how well or poorly she did when all she really wanted
to do was have a fun flight. I could go on.... Suffice it to say
there are many reasons someone wouldn't want to "drive", none of which
are related to them being ignorant or, as you say are a "sad"
commentary on who they are. To judge someone like you are just
because you don't understand what they are thinking is the sad part.
I actually think its pretty cool that some people know themselves well
enough to know what they want to do, and what they'd rather just be
spectators in.

z