The Night before Flight 9, in the Land of FOD

The Night before Flight 9, in the Land of FOD
— a very close call

by Fred “The FODFixer” Reid

T’was the dark before flight time
and all down the line
crews slept in comfort
all seemed to be fine,

When out on the flight line
rain drops did spatter
A whirlwind developed,
blew all kinds of matter

A loose intake cover
flapped in the wind
let small rocks and gravel
find their way in….

Dawn came with colors
and made the world bright
painted long shadows
chased away night

Clear skies raised spirits
as crews prepped the plane,
smiled proudly as they welcomed
the end of the rain

Friendly and trusting
the pilot walked ‘round
sure that no problems
would ever be found

He’d worked with these people
for years, and he knew
their focus was constant;
their errors were few

So into the cockpit
the checklist to do,
He quickly marked boxes
– his hands fairly flew.

Soon he was airborne
delighted to fly
free of earth’s limits,
at home in the sky

But just after hand off
he felt a strange twinge
as if Number Two jet
had troubles within

Quicker than lightning,
all systems awry
the plane was in trouble,
reluctant to fly.

Training and focus
paid off in a blink.
He reclaimed control
without waiting to think.

Returning to base
a search soon revealed
that debris caused the crisis
– picked up from the field.

This time they were lucky
but everyone knew
that FOD almost finished
this captain and crew.

They start their days different
on this spick and span line,
they’re pledged to preventing
another Flight Nine.

 

In honor of all who wage the daily fight against FOD

Permission to reprint this document is hereby granted, provided the following information is included:

© Fred Reid 2005, Reprinted by permission of Fred Reid,
FODNEWS.COM, and The FOD Control Corporation