Legendary Captain

Chapter 209 Reconsideration! Chief Pilot!

The Star Travel Aviation conference room was packed with pilots in uniform, some of whom didn't even have seats and were just standing.

The front row of seats in the conference room was occupied by a group of department leaders and veteran instructors, among whom was Qin Zongyang, who was swearing and cursing.

"You guys are out of your minds to spit out a procedure for rapid decompression and emergency descent, hold a training session on it, and require everyone without flights to attend?"

"Old Qin, you're the deputy general manager of our department. You can't just undermine our department's meeting like this!" Cao Jinwen, standing next to him, was genuinely embarrassed. This training session on rapid stress relief, organized by the flight department, mobilized almost all the pilots who didn't have flights that day, making it an unprecedented event. But in Qin Zongyang's eyes, it was the result of the department leader's lapse in judgment.

Qin Zongyang, sporting panda eyes, exclaimed, "I didn't land until 2 AM, and they gave me a remote, out-of-the-way shooting position. Just getting off the plane took almost half an hour. By the time I got to the company, checked into a hotel, showered, and finally went to bed, it was almost 4 AM. I was thinking I had no work today and could sleep in, but then at 9 AM, I got three or four phone calls in a row, like they were urging me to come to this damn meeting. I'm almost sixty, this is going to kill me, folks!"

The group of leaders from the flight department surrounding Qin Zongyang all kept their eyes down, completely ignoring the topic.

"Damn it!" Qin Zongyang took a big gulp of water, stretched, and prepared to close his eyes and rest.

But as soon as he closed his eyes, Cao Jinwen next to him nudged him with his elbow.

"Old Qin, can't you set a better example? You're just sleeping during meetings," Cao Jinwen reminded him.

This provocation completely enraged Qin Zongyang, who was already full of resentment.

"Was this Lu Xinyu's doing? He's got no skills whatsoever, just a bunch of formalities. A two-page document about rapid decompression and emergency descent—is it really necessary to hold a study session on that? Do they think we're as idle as him? I think all the instructors and captains present should just recite the procedures from memory. Second officers are fine, anyway, we can't rely on them if something goes wrong. Anyone who participated in the recitation should be demoted or grounded, whatever you want. What's the point of this study session? What's so hard to understand about rapid decompression and emergency descent, or is there some ambiguity in the procedure? After flying for so many years, is there still a problem with this procedure?" Qin Zongyang poured out his grievances: "The authorities haven't even determined the nature of the incident yet, and they're already busy with self-criticism. I think they're not only brain-dead, they can't even flatter properly."

This study session was undoubtedly caused by the previous decompression incident involving the Lianshanxue plane. Xingyou Airlines has submitted all the investigation reports regarding the Lianshanxue plane decompression to the authorities, and the final decision rests with the authorities.

Because of the controversial points surrounding this decompression incident, Xingyou Airlines is undecided and can only wait for the authorities' decision. However, before the authorities have even reached a conclusion, Xingyou Airlines has already begun its self-examination. This training session is just the beginning; what follows is likely a concentrated review of co-pilots and newly hired captains, covering everything from theory to practice, from simulators to actual operations—avoiding the involvement of veteran captains, instructors, and leaders.

They only pick the softest persimmons to squeeze; how can they show the results of their efforts if they don't squeeze them? Doing nothing only shows that they haven't done anything.

So, a group of leaders got together in the office, and on a whim, came up with this terrible idea. They didn't consider whether the training session was even meaningful, or how much of the pilots' rest time it would take up. After all, even if they didn't fly a single day, they'd still get their average hourly rate; why not just come to the meeting and pretend to be there?

The thoughts of lower-level employees are irrelevant, and their interests are disregarded. Only the thoughts of the leaders are considered thoughts, and the interests of the leaders are considered interests. The workers only need to obey.

Previously, Qin Zongyang didn't care much about the rules of such disgusting people because no one would really provoke him. In fact, Qin Zongyang was a leader and a member of the interest group.

However, since taking Xu Xian as his apprentice, Qin Zongyang has changed more and more, and he has begun to hate the ugly faces of certain leaders.

In the past, if Cao Jinwen told him not to sleep, he would only curse Cao Jinwen as an idiot and then continue sleeping. But now it's different; he will openly expose the hypocrisy of this study session.

Right at the very back of the main conference room, there was a row of ground administration staff. Were they there to attend the study session? No way! They were there to take pictures!

This study session was just a show, sacrificing the rest of many flight crew members; it was a meaningless spectacle.

Qin Zongyang was a former military officer who had transitioned to civilian life; he possessed the tough, disciplined demeanor of a soldier, and his voice was always full of energy. His words, however, were laced with intense discontent, and his voice rose several decibels, almost instantly silencing the entire room.

The group of passengers in the back who had been whispering and complaining about the training session all fell silent, staring at Qin Zongyang in the front with disbelief.

What on earth was this training session? Did the co-pilots not know? But as the lowest rungs of the food chain, they had no power to resist and could only complain about it privately. However, they never expected that today, in front of a group of captains, instructors, and leaders, someone would so openly reveal the true nature of this training session.

Although Qin Zongyang's reputation in the passenger seat circle wasn't very good before, at this moment, his figure involuntarily became taller.

Coincidentally, Xu Xian also didn't have a flight today, so he was dragged along without exception. Although he knew that this kind of training session was basically just for show, Xu Xian had no choice but to go through with it.

His plan was to hide in the back row, daydream, play on his phone, and get through the study session. However, he never expected Qin Zongyang to slam his fist on the table and directly expose the truth.

Even though everyone knows what happened, it's still taboo to say it out loud. It's unclear whether Qin Zongyang's status will allow him to escape responsibility later.

"Old Qin, are you crazy!" Cao Jinwen tugged at Qin Zongyang's sleeve, saying urgently, "What nonsense are you spouting in this situation!"

Qin Zongyang shook off Cao Jinwen's hand: "Old Cao, this has nothing to do with you. I know you were just following orders. The one who should really be held responsible is him!"

As Qin Zongyang spoke, his gaze shifted, and he raised his right hand, pointing directly at Lu Xinyu who was entering through the door.

At this moment, Lu Xinyu, who was the keynote speaker at the conference, was accompanied by several other people, all of whom appeared to be quite influential.

When Qin Zongyang directly called him out, Lu Xinyu's face immediately darkened. Next to him was the director of the Yunnan Provincial Regulatory Bureau. Qin Zongyang's disrespect for him was truly a huge loss of face.

"Qin Zongyang, we can talk about this later. We have important business to discuss now!" With VIPs present, Lu Xinyu was unwilling to argue with this madman, Qin Zongyang.

What should you do if you get bitten by a dog? You definitely shouldn't bite back; that would be too undignified. You should find a quiet time when no one is around, grab a stick, and beat the dog to death. That's the proper way to handle it.

"Real business? Making a mess of the flight department is your real business?" Qin Zongyang sneered.

Cao Jinwen frowned deeply. What was wrong with Qin Zongyang today? Even if he didn't get along with Lu Xinyu, he shouldn't have lost his temper like that on the spot! Especially with people from the regulatory bureau present.

Qin Zongyang's actions were a case of inflicting eight hundred casualties on the enemy while losing a thousand of his own. Given Qin Zongyang's shrewd and calculating nature, he should never have done something so impulsive.

Qin Zongyang and Lu Xinyu are both deputy general managers of the flight department, representing the reputation of Xingyou Airlines' flight department. Yet, these two pillars of Xingyou Airlines' flight department confronted each other like shrewish women in front of guests from the Yunnan Provincial Regulatory Bureau—this was absurd in itself. At least no one with a sound mind would do such a thing, because it was a pure money-losing proposition—winning wouldn't bring any profit, and losing would result in a huge financial loss.

Qin Zongyang just kept saying that he was out of his mind, but now Cao Jinwen thinks that the one who is really out of his mind is Qin Zongyang.

Faced with Qin Zongyang's repeated pressure, Lu Xinyu finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Qin Zongyang, don't go too far!"

"I'm going too far?" Qin Zongyang's expression suddenly turned fierce. "Then let me ask you, did you tell Zhang Chen that he shouldn't even think about becoming a captain before I retire?"

"Zhang Chen?" Xu Xian was taken aback upon hearing the name. "Isn't that my senior brother?"

Zhang Chen is Qin Zongyang's eldest apprentice, a pitiful man who was stuck in the co-pilot position for seven whole years.

When Zhang Chen's name was mentioned, Lu Xinyu's pupils contracted, and he fell silent for a moment.

Seeing that Lu Xinyu didn't refute, Qin Zongyang's long-suppressed anger finally erupted: "I originally thought I was the only one with a bad reputation in the co-pilot circle, but now it seems you're probably not much better. Don't the instructors who've flown with Zhang Chen know his skill level? Why won't you sign it for him?"

Qin Zongyang's words caused an uproar, while some who knew the inside story watched this annual drama with great interest.

"Mr. Lu, it seems a bit inconvenient today!" Director Wang of the Yunnan Regulatory Bureau said to Lu Xinyu with a smile, "How about I excuse myself for a moment, and we can discuss the study session after you've taken care of things?"

Originally, Director Wang from the Yunnan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce was supposed to speak at this study session. However, seeing the tense atmosphere between the two deputy general managers of the flight department, he feared the matter wouldn't end well anytime soon, so he decided it was best to leave rather than get involved in Xingyou Airlines' internal affairs.

"Director Wang, I'm so sorry to have troubled you today." Lu Xinyu suddenly waved to his assistant, "Xiao Li, please take Director Wang to my office for a cup of tea. I'll be there soon."

Since things have developed to this point, if Director Wang stays any longer, he'll only be making a fool of himself. It's better to go with the flow and let Director Wang step aside for a while.

After Director Wang left, there were no outsiders left in the entire meeting room.

Lu Xinyu let out a long breath and sneered, "Qin Zongyang, there are two-thirds of the company's pilots here. You really have no shame."

"To deal with shameless people, you have to sacrifice your own dignity first!" Qin Zongyang completely ignored Lu Xinyu's sarcasm: "Lu Xinyu, you haven't answered my question yet! Didn't you say you wouldn't sign off on Zhang Chen's documents before I retire?"

"Qin Zongyang, you'll stop at nothing to get the position of general manager of the flight department!"

As soon as Lu Xinyu said this, a murmur rippled through the room.

What is Qin Zongyang's biggest disadvantage compared to Lu Xinyu? It's that Qin Zongyang's apprentices are all incompetent, and he doesn't even have a single captain.

How can someone who can't even do their job as an instructor be the general manager of the flight department?

However, if one of Qin Zongyang's apprentices were to become a pilot, even if Qin Zongyang couldn't turn the tide, his disadvantages would be much smaller than those of Lu Xinyu.

Lu Xinyu's words were a veiled criticism of Qin Zongyang, who was angry that Zhang Chen had failed the captain's inspection several times in order to compete for the position of general manager of the flight department, and who then blamed Zhang Chen's inspector, namely Lu Xinyu.

"Bullshit!" Qin Zongyang slammed his fist on the table. "While I, Qin Zongyang, may be desperate for that position, I'm not as despicable as you. If Zhang Chen truly lacked the skills of a captain, that would be one thing, but don't the instructors who flew with him know what's going on? Are all those instructors blind?"

While Zhang Chen was accumulating time on the left seat, he flew with several instructors. Some of the instructors knew that Zhang Chen was Qin Zongyang's apprentice and would talk about Zhang Chen with Qin Zongyang.

Zhang Chen's skills aren't particularly amazing, but they're solid, thanks to seven years of experience. Saying Zhang Chen has a bright future is a bit of a stretch, but he's certainly capable of being a captain.

If only one instructor says this, it might be a matter of personal perspective. But if many instructors make this assessment, then its veracity is pretty much certain.

Yet Zhang Chen, who possessed the skills of a captain and was recognized by all the instructors, failed the final captain's check three times in a row.

Although Zhang Chen failed the captain's inspection three times in a row, he did not tell Qin Zongyang. Qin Zongyang only had Xu Xian as his apprentice and would not care about others, so he rarely asked about them.

As expected, Zhang Chen failed again during the fourth captain's check. But as the saying goes, things don't happen more than three times. Having already begun to change his mindset, Zhang Chen finally mustered the courage to ask Lu Xinyu why he kept failing him.

Lu Xinyu said directly that as long as Qin Zongyang was still with Xingyou Airlines, he would never pass the final test of being hired as a captain. Being Qin Zongyang's apprentice was his original sin.

Zhang Chen was already under immense psychological pressure after several previous failures, and this further blow caused him to become mentally unstable. On his way home, he was involved in a car accident and nearly died on the spot.

Even if he usually doesn't treat his other apprentices like human beings, Qin Zongyang still has to go and see Zhang Chen at this time.

Zhang Chen narrowly escaped death, but his right arm was shattered. Even if he recovered, he could never be a pilot again. Upon seeing his master, Zhang Chen, who had been holding back for so long, could no longer contain himself and burst into tears, hugging Qin Zongyang.

After Qin Zongyang pressed him repeatedly, Zhang Chen finally revealed the cause of the car accident.

When Qin Zongyang heard his apprentice say that he was the reason why he had been unable to pass the captain's inspection, he felt a surge of guilt.

Not only did he not help his apprentices, but he also implicated them. Even Qin Zongyang, who was always driven by profit, felt that he was a complete scoundrel.

Qin Zongyang had originally planned to take his time and find another opportunity to deal with Lu Xinyu. But after only two days of restraint, he couldn't hold back any longer at this meeting.

He doesn't care if he injures the enemy by 800 but loses 1000 of his own! He's exposing Lu Xinyu's true colors in front of so many pilots.

If Qin Zongyang was merely indifferent to the co-pilot, then Lu Xinyu completely disregarded him. No matter how wicked Qin Zongyang was, he wouldn't use something as trivial as transferring the captain as a bargaining chip for revenge.

You have to understand that becoming a captain is one of the most important milestones in a pilot's career! To resort to such underhanded tactics is simply inhuman.

As Qin Zongyang spoke, he pointed directly at He Changyuan: "Old He, what did you say about Zhang Chen's performance last time? Solid technique, steady demeanor, wasn't that what you said?"

He Changyuan, who was called out, was immediately shocked. He looked at Qin Zongyang and then at Lu Xinyu, and was caught in a dilemma.

"Old Qin, don't put me on the hot seat!" He Changyuan said helplessly.

Qin Zongyang glared at him: "How is this putting you on the fire? It's making you tell the truth!"

"My words don't represent his test results! What if he was just nervous during the test and performed poorly?" He Changyuan really didn't want to offend either side.

When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer as well; he truly suffered an undeserved calamity!

"Solid technical skills and a steady work style?" Lu Xinyu laughed. "Can't that also be interpreted as rigid behavior and outdated thinking? An old relic is an old relic, even the apprentices he teaches are little old relics!"

"Lu Xinyu!" Qin Zongyang suddenly shouted, making everyone around him feel a sharp pain in their eardrums. Clearly, Qin Zongyang was extremely angry.

Lu Xinyu's eyes narrowed: "Qin Zongyang, the captain's inspection involves many aspects. If Zhang Chen passes, he'll be responsible for the safety of everyone on the plane. What's wrong with me being a little careful?"

No matter how strict the captain's inspection is, it can never be too strict. After all, once you pass the captain's inspection, you become the leader of an aircraft, and your safety responsibilities are extremely important. It is definitely right to be strict with you.

Being strict is one thing, but deliberately finding fault is another. In a regular inspection, if an inspector deliberately makes things difficult too many times, and the matter is reported to the authorities, it's relatively easy to get a satisfactory explanation. But captain inspections are different. Some inspectors raise their requirements very high, claiming it's for flight safety. To be honest, the authorities don't know how to handle this, since being strict with the captain isn't necessarily a mistake.

As long as this default rule exists, Lu Xinyu can't find any fault with it!

Cao Jinwen sighed: "In the end, it was still a case of acting impulsively."

But Qin Zongyang, already enraged, was unwilling to admit defeat. He surveyed everyone present and roared, "Hypocritical villain, unworthy of your position! I, Qin Zongyang, request a temporary technical committee meeting to reconsider the suitability assessment for Lu Xinyu's part-time chief pilot position!"

(End of this chapter)