Bob, re all above on your message, not a day goes by that I don't learn something I never knew before.

** that guy's ass was busted when he put the two extra folks onboard. he just did not know it yet. **

That, on the other hand, I and ALL of my CE AND gunner pals could have told him. I had an ULTRA-strong ship, and 5 was many times out of the question in a hoverhole-type LZ. This guy tries 6?

BonBon talked last year of pulling an extreme overload after we stopped flying together. Described to me trying to figure out how the hell he could land the ship, almost impossible, and he really was out of ideas, knew he had screwed up world-class picking them up. After a couple of failed landing passes, just piled and packed people and equipment as far aft as he could, then still had to slide some. Was still shaking his head at the stupidity of it, last year. I tole him welcome to the club, we all have different kinds of stupid.

We were the ship that pulled 13 (count 'em) pax out of the Plei Trap. A) Cool air. B) Low fuel, came direct from Pleiku. C) Naked grunts; no rucks, few weapons. D) Strong ship that we all KNEW could pull the load. E) FAITH. Whew.

Seriously? Possibly one problem with organic aviation units. Pressure from common command to get on with the job; getting dark, let's get these two companies moved NOW, Lieutenant, you hear me? Yessir, I hear you.

Try that with you or with Huey or BonBon or Pickett etc... it ain't gonna work. CE says, nope, you, and you, get off. "Sorry, sir. No can do."

Gator 834