Before every flight, pilots are taught to check more than just the airplane.
We’re also taught to check ourselves.
There’s a simple checklist for it, called IMSAFE:
• I – Illness
• M – Medication
• S – Stress
• A – Alcohol
• F – Fatigue
• E – Emotion
If any one of those is off, the flight doesn’t happen. No shortcuts. No pushing through. No “I’ll be fine once we’re airborne.”
Flying while sick, exhausted, distracted, or emotionally off isn’t brave, it’s irresponsible!
This week has been a good reminder of why IMSAFE exists. Sometimes the most professional decision isn’t to press on, but to pause, reset, and come back when you’re actually ready.
Airplanes can wait. Safety can’t.
