The review was originally published at Reader Views.
Many people think the life of an airline pilot to be nothing but amazing travel adventures, exotic locales, and rubbing shoulders with famous passengers. Donald Osborn has seen some of that, but he’s also seen the hardships that go along with the job. There are long periods away from his family, obnoxious passengers, and the ever-present danger of layoffs from failed airlines. Where We Land: A Pilot’s Reflections at Altitude (co-written with Anna Schmidt) is a journey of humor, wit, and insight that shows just what it takes to chase the dream of the pilot.
I’ll admit that I’m one of those average people who looks at airline pilots as being up there with surgeons. They go through tough training to fly those metal machines and have the lives of hundreds of people in their hands. There’s no room for mistakes. It’s a tough job that, I always thought, was glamorous and paid extremely well.
Osborn’s autobiography splashed water on those ideas. Not that being a pilot doesn’t have perks. But it is a long road to get there. Osborn takes the reader back to his humble beginnings in Nebraska and his early dreams of reaching the sky. While his first taste of flying is unconventional, it also cements his determination to escape his unhappy life.
This is a well-written book that weaves its way back and forth between Osborn’s personal and professional lives. He and his co-author do a wonderful job of keeping the narrative conversational and never delving too deep into the technical aspects of flying. The sections that cover the work inside the cockpit are written simply and often with humor.
I felt that’s what set this book apart from other autobiographies I’ve read. Osborn has a great sense of humor and can find something to laugh at – or make fun of – in almost any situation.
The book also defied some of my expectations, but in a good way. I was expecting a lot of references to celebrities and other famous people, but Osborn only devoted one fairly short chapter to this topic. And even then, he writes honestly and candidly about the people he had the opportunity to meet.
“Where We Land” is more than just an autobiography. It’s also more than a look at the life of a pilot. There are insights into human behavior, the importance of preparation for any event, and other life tips that come from years of experience.
This is a wonderful and entertaining read and I recommend it to anyone who has wondered about the people on the other side of the cockpit door.
Check out my reviews of other books on my Reading List page.
RB