Ask the Pilot: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel

by Patrick Smith

Though we routinely take to the air, for many of us flying remains a mystery. Few of us understand the how and why of jetting from New York to London in six hours. How does a plane stay in the air? Can turbulence bring it down? What is windshear? How good are the security checks? Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of Salon.com's popular column, "Ask the Pilot," unravels the secrets and tells you all there is to know about the strange and fascinating world of commercial flight. He In a series of frank, often funny explanations and essays, Smith speaks eloquently to our fears and curiosities, incorporating anecdotes, memoir, and a life's passion for flight. He tackles our toughest concerns, debunks conspiracy theories and myths, and in a rarely heard voice dares to return a dash of romance and glamour to air travel.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Aviation, Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have had the same, irrational fear of flying as I have, then this is the book for you. Take courage and read it: it WILL help you. I have been haunted by this deep fear since childhood, which is ironic considering that my job regularly requires me to fly to other continents, and not on the safest of airlines. (Duct tape on the wing, anyone? I've seen it.) The writer, Patrick Smith, also writes an excellent column on all things aviation at Salon.com, and is a professional, commercial pilot. His clear explanations of what can (and what cannot) kill you in a plane have made me far more pleasant to fly with. I've written him twice to thank him, as I think in the past I stressed out so hard while on those 18-hour flights to South Africa that I was probably taking years off my life.

[Randell Carlton Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

He writes well, and the book was filled with interesting facts. My problem, is that a question and answer format can only work for so long. The entire book was in this form and it became a little monotonous. I did enjoy it, and would read another by him. ✈️

[Rich Bentley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why say "When airplanes do occasionally get too close to each other, it's usually quick and not super dangerous" when you could say "Airplanes do, on occasion, breach the confines of one another's space. Such incidents usually involve brief transgressions, a tangential grazing of restricted firmament"?

While there was some interesting information in this book, I found the author insufferable. He spends more time judging airplane logos and bemoaning the passing of the airline industry's golden days than he does explaining how things work. And for a book that's supposed to make me feel better about flying, an inordinate portion of the book is spent discussing terrorism and plane crashes.

[tei hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

pointing fun at A320s AND at dayton? my kinda book.

[Keishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ask the Pilot describes many facts about airplanes, including how they fly, the history of the airplane, how airports work and a lot more. Unlike many other non-fiction books, each chapter is very short and the stories are not connected.
One of my favorite chapters describes new airplanes that will be in service in the future. For example, the Airbus 380, which just started flying in November, is the biggest passenger plane. I was surprised when I found out that it was much larger than the Boeing 747, "the Jumbo Jet." Soon there will be an airplane newer than the Airbus 380, the Boeing 787, the most fuel efficient passenger airplane ever. When I compared these two airplanes, they had completely opposite characteristics and I was fascinated by their differences.
Everyone should read this book and be surprised by how advanced airplanes are. I will recommend this book to everyone.

[Hobie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I used to not be fond of flying. I actully have a perscription of a sedative that I used to take when stepping onto a plan....this was prior to this book.

If there is anybody out there who has reservations about flying this is the book to read. After I read this book and understood (in layman's terms) an airplane and it's ability I instantly became confident and comfortable with flying.

This book goes over all of the flying myths/fears and explains all of modern flying safety redundencies that are in place.

It has some funny stories in there as well. Well written by a pilot.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of Smith's Salon column and it's well written, well organized and actually helpful. There's much industry info that's not addressed since it occurred after the book's original publication, but Smith effectively addresses main traveler concerns about air travel. If you're a nervous flyer, as I am, this is a worthwhile read. As a frequent flyer, I downloaded the eBook version and refer to the specific chapters during a flight (mainly during rough air) and it has helped remind me that air travel is still a whole lot safer than getting in my car.

[John Defrog: global citizen, local gadfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book compiling Salon columns from airline pilot Patrick Smith, who answers questions about the airline business. He does his best to keep it simple and non-tech, and it’s probably one of the best books for finding out just why airlines do what they do and the odds of you getting killed in freak accidents, etc. Indispensable for frequent flyers like me who wonders about these things on Hour Seven of a 13-hour flight.

[Jason Gunnink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous insider's view of the airline industry and I found it fascinating. Historically turbulence has unnerved me but the author's no-nonsense approach to explaining all thing aviation in laymen's term really set me ease. And I read it on a plane!

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers to all those questions about airplanes and flying. This is a must read for anyone who is scared to fly. Your mind will be put to ease after reading this.

[Paul]

"good book"

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am afraid of flying, and this booked helped some.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Ask the Pilot on a whim at the famous Powell's Bookstore in Portland, OR. I'm an avid travel enthusiast whether that be reading about it or traveling myself. Specifically, I love air travel and this book seemed right up my alley. It served as a chance to glance into the secretive world of those pesky cabin dings while you travel and an answer to all those quirky things you witness while you travel. So I picked up this book with these thoughts in mind and I can't say I was disappointed. Patrick Smith's book is well written and explanatory. It takes you from an easy to understand version of the complicated physics that allow air travel to be possible, into the life of pilots and flight attendants as well as explanations into some of their habits and quirks any traveller may have viewed as peculiar or the slightest bit odd. He also takes you into the common questions of unexperienced or nervous flyers. He makes an effort to explain turbulence, terrorism threats, and plane disasters that often go without mentioning as they are seen as taboo. I have to say as a traveller who just wants to learn more about the world once we step foot in the airport, onto the jetway, or into the plane this book does an amazing job at doing that. It accomplishes this task by coming from an experienced author, a pilot himself Patrick Smith doesn't just tell with a patronizing voice that you can often hear from your frequent flier friends who think they know it all. He tells it like a peer who genuinely wants you to learn and take some of the nervousness out of flying for you, or if not nervousness he wants to at least put an explanation out there for a flier to be taken whenever they're ready. I found this book to be a great start for anyone curious into the inner working of the careers that revolve around the airport as well as all the pieces that go into an airport. My only qualm with the book comes as a personal note. I travel a decent amount and as I mentioned earlier am fascinated by air travel so I've spent a lot of time learning and researching and for those that are in the same position as me you won't receive the book in the same way that a novice will. You will definitely come out with new knowledge but it won't compare to what you would've learned from something more technical (which is as to be expected). I still recommend that any new traveller or aviation geek read the book, but just with that fact in mind it may leave a bit to be desired. The book was amazing and the only reason for that four star review is that small caveat for me. I know someday I'll reread it to keep my information up to date as well as refresh it, and I bet I'll pick up something I forgot or didn't pay attention to in the first place. If that happens then the book has done its job.

[Christie Bane · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, this book was written in 2004, and it is DATED. But I would really love for this guy to put out a new edition, because he is the perfect combination of educational, accessible, witty, and cynical. It's obvious how much he loves and respects planes and the people who build them, fly them, and help them run behind the scenes, but is also obvious that he is always aware of the human factors that can cause things to go wrong (with planes, as with anything else in the world). He is very reassuring if you are a nervous flyer, and he also manages to poke fun at people with ridiculous ideas about planes while still understanding that it's easy to be nervous about them if you're not an experienced professional in the industry like he is.

If all the great things I said about this book above aren't enough, let me add that the story of the exploding toilet, all by itself, would make it worth reading the book. That story is the kind that makes you want to call up friends in the middle of the night and read it to them.

[Sharon Wishnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, published in 2004 is dated in 2024, but the pilot author, Patrick Smith foretells this in the opening understanding that any discussion of the airline industry can never be evergreen. And considering the advancements in technology we, the flying public, wouldn't want it to be. However, many discussions are still current.

Smith's colorful descriptions and honest "I understand your angst" descriptions of airline travel is a fun and refreshing read.

With sections on the technicalities of flying, life as a pilot, the ins and outs of airlines, crashes, 911, and what is now a history of carriers, this book written in a Q&A style does answer a lot of questions, like why do we hear dings during a flight.

Smith's writing is fresh and easy to read as masterful as the skills it takes to fly.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting info, which I didn't know, i.e. such as the numbers on runways. But otherwise, not very interesting. Many of the most interesting questions which I would have wanted to know, he glossed over with answers like "If I told you it would bore you, and bore me to". Additionally, the ship is somewhat dated-it was written in 2004, before all the mergers (United-Continental, American-US Airways, etc), and other accidents (Sully). But all in all, it was quick and painless.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book interesting, and it kept my attention. I already knew a lot of the information inside it because of Jared, but it was nice getting more background and information. Also, when Jared talks to me, he is talking. (Duh. Haha.) so it was nice to get to read and re-read portions so I could understand concepts better.

[Mike Roam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, especially for nervous passengers and wanna-be pilots.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

very fun to read, not too technical, a good sense of humour and a lot of explanations.

[Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting but it didn’t have much of a plot. Ha ha.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information. Enjoyable reading.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing look at air travel. I too remember the days when you could hang out at the airport. I miss those days.

[Tao Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book for anyone fascinated about flying, though it needs update (published in 2004)

[Bambi Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little out of date to read now, but it also wasn't what I was expecting. It was more facts about planes than things to help with fear of flying.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stuff from airline travel. Although unfortunately the details of this category age quite fast; this book is from 2004, and already I know a few updates have occurred (and not just A380).
If you've got a lot of questions about random subjects regarding air travel, this is for you. Like which planes are the safest? Do pilots really save gas by using less oxygen for the plane's interior? Why do sometimes some planes fly nearly empty, or some huge planes fly short, national routes? Which airlines are the safest? What are the worst plane accidents ever?

A few of my favorite bits:
"I felt about the Concorde as one might feel about a beautiful girl walking into class on the first day of school: I had to get close to her somehow, whether we actually hooked up or not." -James Kaplan, In The Airport.
The oldest piece of airfleet still running in US (in 2004), was a Northwest DC-9 built in September 1966.
Grading of the airlines plane (external) colors and themes (my favorite ones would have to include Aer Lingus, Alitalia, and Iberia).
The best ever toilet scene on an airplane.
Statistics of various kinds (like how heavy a plane is, how much fuel weighs, safety statistics for flying vs driving - doesn't make you want to get on the road).
Some bizarre airline names from this world - AirTran, Kras Air, U-Land.
I wish I had flown on a Concorde...

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ask the Pilot is an interesting read. I learned some things I found useful: the daily grind of a pilot, crew, and plane; how airlines operate networks; what flight attendants look at and notice when they deal with passengers; "cross check" over the PA actually does mean that the flight attendants are checking each other's work as they go through the cabin prior to takeoff and landing, while "1L, 2R" means which doors need to be opened after landing; being a pilot is very unglamorous unless you're an international long-haul pilot; seniority is the way the airlines operate; planes are both complicated and simple in that the plane automatically takes care of a lot of the more difficult aspects of flight, but these systems are complicated to oversee, and autopilot isn't used all the time.

I thought the format of chapters that begin with an essay on the topic, with a series of Q&As that follow, was a smart way to organize the book. However, I thought the Q&As got a little repetitive, and his prose is informative, snarky, but boring and pedestrian at the same time. Great job for a pilot, okay job for a writer.

[PoligirlReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a nervous flier. As such, I don't typically let facts get in the way of my irrational fear. Yet, with his calm and reassuring demeanor, and his conversational writing style, Patrick Smith has convinced me that maybe, just maybe, flying is safe.

Culled from his column, this book is a collection of frequently asked questions regarding the airline industry. Glib, without being dismissive, he addresses a lot of common fears and provides useful information about how planes actually fly (and about the pilots who fly them)

You know what this book needs? Pictures. Particularly in the sections where he's describing the components of a plane. That way non-experts can visualize exactly what he's talking about.


This is a book that is in very much want of an updated edition. Once every decade would do the trick.

[Turi Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection (or distillation) of salon.com essays about flying, from the point of view of a pilot. Now, I tend to think of myself as a pretty level-headed flier. I don't freak out unnecessarily, and I figure that pilots and flight crews know what they're doing 95% of the time (can't say the same for security screeners.) This book is well written for me, as well as for someone who is freaked out about flying. Basically: Airlines in the US are extremely regulated; if you sense anything wrong on a flight, you are over-reacting. There are enough buffers built in to the system to take care of things. Pilots are blue-collar professionals, not pampered primadonnas. In fact, there is precious little romance left in the industry, more's the pity. Good non-fiction, very informative.

[J. Niimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Smith is the titular columnist of Salon's "Ask the Pilot," and his observations about aviation culture are consistently fascinating and droll. This book collects some of his past columns, and it's pretty excellent. He's a great storyteller and explicator, with a warm, off-handed style that makes you feel like you're having an animated conversation in an airport lounge. Funny, educational, and occasionally hair-raising -- though, to his credit, not nearly as much as it could be in less adept hands.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in a Q and A format of all the common questions on commercialaviation. "Can a plane land without engine power?", "Can I open the door at 35,000 ft?", "What's the point of putting the life jacket on when we are going to die?","Why can't I use cell phones and electronics during flight", 'What are those tiny upturned wings at the wingtips do (winglets)?" and so on. It provides a lot of explanations and a couple of stories on Smith's experience as a pilot...(what happens if you dump dry ice into the plane's toilet...it geysers and explodes!)