Airplanes Quote by Don DeLillo
““The plane had lost power in all three engines, dropped from thirty-four thousand feet to twelve thousand feet. Something like four miles. When the steep glide began, people rose, fell, collided, swam in their seats. Then the serious screaming and moaning began. Almost immediately a voice from the flight deck was heard on the intercom: "We're falling out of the sky! We're going down! We're a silver gleaming death machine!" This outburst struck the passengers as an all but total breakdown of authority, competence and command presence and it brought on a round of fresh and desperate wailing.””
About This Quote
A catastrophic aircraft failure triggers panic, exposing the fragility of authority and the raw human terror when control collapses.
In simple terms: Loss of control breeds panic.
Key Takeaway
Authority collapses under crisis.
Themes
panic
authority
crisis
human vulnerability
psychology
Mood
fear
urgency
despair
Type
narrative
descriptive
dramatic
When to use this quote
- airplane emergency
- high‑altitude descent
- passenger panic
- crew communication failure
Key Concepts
power loss
flight safety
group behavior
communication breakdown
Practical Applications
- risk management training
- emergency response planning
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceived authority affect group calm?
- What mechanisms can preserve composure in sudden crises?
A Different Perspective
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