All language subtitles for Airport

(PASSENGERS CHATTERING)

(AIRPLANE ENGINE RUMBLING)

ANNOUNCER:
Attention, please.

Continental Airlines announces
the departure of Flight 3

for Los Angeles and Honolulu at
Gate 28, the Blue Concourse.

Global 45, Lincoln Tower.

Cleared to land,
runway two-niner.

Wind one-five,
gusting to two-five.

PILOT: Roger. Cleared to land.
Runway in sight.

Lincoln Tower from Global 45.

I think we cut the taxiway a little too
short and we're stuck in the snow.

Please notify
company dispatch.

I think
we'll need assistance.

We've got a condition four
on two-niner at taxiway Echo.

Right. Change traffic to runway two-two.
Two-niner's closed.

Trans World 17.

I have a change now.
Taxi to runway two-two.

Runway two-niner is closed.

Air Canada ninety-niner, move
to taxiway Bravo immediately.

Emergency equipment will
pass to your left. Over.

Runway two-niner closed,
account disabled aircraft.

Two-two approach.
Runway two-niner is closed.

All right, we'll stay with
two-two with everything.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Global 10,
Lincoln Tower, cleared for takeoff.

For this food,
your many blessings

and your bounteous goodness

we give thanks to thee
in the name of Jesus Christ.

(AIRPLANE ENGINE RUMBLING)

Hello, Mel? I'm glad I caught
you before you got away.

Yeah. We just lost
runway two-niner.

A tail sticking out onto
the runway about 20 yards.

Yeah. I don't know.
Could be a long time.

All right.
I'll go right out there.

ANNOUNCER:
Air Canada Flight 425

from Quebec will arrive at Gate
44-A, the Green Concourse.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Bakersfeld.

Mel, Tanya.
How about some coffee?

- I just found something.
- I just lost something.

Runway two-niner.

Oh, no. Snow?

One of your jockeys missed a
turnoff, buried the wheels.

- No one told us.
- It just happened.

Flight 45.
I'm on my way.

- Any casualties?
- Just me.

There's bound to be a passenger
with a $50-wrenched back.

I'd better get there
with some release forms

and plenty of sympathy
and understanding.

May I ride with you?

- See you downstairs.
- Good.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

ANNOUNCER: Mr. Bakersfeld,
white phone. Urgent.

Bakersfeld.

Where the hell are you?

I'm on my way to the field.
We've got an emergency.

You said you'd
be home at 6:00.

You promised me you
wouldn't miss this dinner.

You promised that
a week ago.

A week ago, I didn't know we'd
have the worst storm in six years.

You've always got
some damn excuse.

I'll call you back.

(WIND HOWLING)

(PASSENGERS CHATTERING)

TANYA: Let me take that
for you, ma'am.

You'll be much
warmer in the bus.

I'm sorry this happened.

Captain wants you to take off
as much weight as possible

then hook onto the nose gear
and tow it out with a tractor.

Buried like that, the nose gear
would never stand the strain.

That's what I told him.

I think we ought to use pneumatic
bags to lift the wings.

Could take
most of tomorrow.

I want that runway
cleared tonight.

Tonight?

Look, I know you're
doing everything you can

but if I can con TWA into giving
us Patroni, will you object?

No, Joe can have
all the tries he wants.

- MAN: Mr. Bakersfeld.
- Yes?

Snow desk.

Yes, Danny?
I'm calling Patroni.

Stand by on
mobile phone.

Roget

(MOBILE PHONE RINGING)

- Hello. Joe?
- Hi, Mel.

Save your breath.
Danny gave me the poop.

Tonight I'm not available.

Joe, I need
you right away.

I got 14 on the ground
and 18 stacked upstairs.

I've got our five kids
stacked away at my mother's

so that me and Marie
could be alone for a while.

Tell Marie I'm sorry
to louse up her evening,

but I need two-niner badly.

Can't the Global
crew handle it?

Well, they're having a conference
now to decide what to dc.

But I need somebody who
knows, a genius like Patroni.

(CHUCKLES) Hold the whipped cream.
I've just had dessert.

All right, I'll be there.

Good.

In the meantime,
give everybody a shovel

have them start digging a ten-degree
incline in front of the wheels.

- Right.
- Out.

Oh, Joe, do you have to go to
work on a night like this?

They don't call them emergencies anymore.
They call them Patronis.

(SIGHING) I suppose
you'll be late, huh?

I'll be back in time, if I have to
pull that plane out with my teeth.

What's this you found
I should know about?

Your brother-in-law was on the
snow clearance committee today.

My boss got a copy
of the report.

I can guess what it says.

"The airport," meaning me, "has been
inefficient in snow clearance."

- "Grossly inefficient."
- "Causing flight delays,

"loss of revenue
to all airlines, etc."

Signed, Captain Vernon
Demerest, Chairman.

How can he say
a thing like this?

Because he's a no-good,
irresponsible louse

who can't pass up the
opportunity to knife me.

DANNY: Global 1, Snow Desk.
Where are you?

Coming up to the ramp.

Commissioner Ackerman wants you at
the street side of the terminal.

- Trouble.
- MEL: I'm on my way.

ALL: Close Down Runway 22.

Close Down Runway 22.

POLICE OFFICER: Keep moving, please.
Keep moving, please.

ANNOUNCER:
Mr. Harold Porter,

please come to
Braniff information counter.

They'll break it up
soon and go home.

After the TV cameras
get a few shots.

TV?

The lawyer they hired yesterday
arranged for news coverage.

That's all we need.

I'd better get in touch with the other
commissioners and tell them about this.

Afterwards, we'll meet in
the boardroom, you and I

and see what we can figure out
to calm those people down.

I'll call you.

SARAH: Mel?

MEL: Hi, sis. I thought Vern
was on Flight Two tonight.

He is.

You're sure here
early enough.

Well, what with the
weather and the traffic,

Vernon didn't want to take
a chance on being late.

But we just sailed
right along.

ANNOUNCER: Skycap 14.

First, I thought they were
pilots picketing you.

I was all set
to join them.

I heard about your report.

Besides everything else, now you're
an authority on snow clearance, huh?

I call them
as I see them.

Then you're due
for an eye check.

For your information, clearing
those runways and taxiways

is the equivalent of 700
miles of two-lane highway.

Well, what do you know.

And I'll bet you measured
every foot of it by yourself.

We've also had ten inches of
snow in the last 24 hours.

Anchorage had twice as
much, and they're clean.

They've got twice
the equipment.

Well, then
get some more.

This isn't Alaska.

You don't spend an extra two
million dollars for machinery

you might use
once in ten years.

You buy for the
average snowfall.

When emergency hits you use what you
have and you work around the clock.

Sitting behind that desk has made
you think like a bookkeeper.

I didn't always
fly a desk.

Well, all right, Daddy.

Now, you tell me all about
when you were a war hero.

You flew those pursuit jobs you
could land in a parking lot.

When I'm setting down over
200,000 pounds of 707,

I want something under my wheels
that's plenty long and mighty dry.

It'll be dry tonight,
but not too long.

Two-niner's closed.

The pilot from
your Flight 45

made a shortcut across the
field, and he didn't make it.

Well, what are you
doing about it?

Well, when the snow melts
in April, we'll get it out.

What the hell do you think
I'm doing about it?

Now stop that,
both of you.

Yeah. You're right. It's a waste
of time arguing with a penguin.

Goodbye.

Have a good flight, dear.

What do you want me to
bring you back from Rome?

Just yourself.

Oh, maybe
if you have the time,

I could use a pair
of white gloves.

Size six and
a half, right?

No.

I'm the one who wears a
size seven and a half.

ANNOUNCER: American Airlines
Flight 103 for St. Louis

is now in the
final boarding...

Hey, now, that's
a good idea, Mel,

using little old ladies
for skycaps.

You keep that up.
You're doing a good job.

SARAH: Mel?

For my sake,
be patient with him.

How you can live with that over-aged
juvenile delinquent I'll never know.

There's just the two of us.

If I left him,
what would I have?

Would you have any more if
he decided to leave you?

(LAUGHS) He won't.

The moment a girl
gets too serious,

he waves his wedding
ring like a flag.

I'm his disaster insurance.

More like
group insurance.

Thanks for caring,
Mel. Don't worry.

Someday he'll come home
for some other reason

than to just
change his clothes.

Well, I hope so.

(PAGER BUZZING)

That's for me.
Goodbye, dear.

ANNOUNCER: Lufthansa
Flight 82 for Frankfurt...

Bakersfeld.

No, no.

No, I'll take care
of it myself.

ANNOUNCER: Will Miss Pamela Blake
report to the lost and found

in the baggage claim area.

(HUMMING)

Vern, we just
don't have time.

But I have a cab
waiting downstairs.

We can make the
airport in 15 minutes.

The driver
doesn't mind waiting.

His meter's running,
and so is mine.

But I've got
to finish packing.

(SIGHS) You get me
up to full throttle,

then throw me
into reverse.

You could damage
my engine that way.

Look, we'll be in Rome tomorrow.
We'll have three days.

Try a little patience.

Or a cold shower.

Think about
something else.

Oh, that I like.
You can see right through it.

Who's in the right-
hand seat tonight?

lam.

Demoted?

No.
It's a pilot check flight.

I'm checking Anson Harris.

He's been
a captain for years.

So have I but
that doesn't matter.

Somebody got to check you
out every six months

just to make sure you don't
pick up any bad habits.

(LAUGHS)

Such as nuzzling
stewardesses.

Does he hold on to
the control too firmly?

Or can he sort of coax them
along with just his fingers?

Oh!

Look, we still have to...

Go and wash it.

Of course.

When he's stacked up and
can't get clearance to land,

how does he take it?

He controls his
emotions and says,

"Better luck next time."

(WHISTLING)

You and your roommate have
enough china, glasses and booze

for a round trip
to Australia.

That's not all our loot.

The girls in the building
have been contributing.

Gracie's getting married.
We're giving her a party.

If you could hijack a 707,

you could start
your own airline.

We thought of that,

but none of us
has a pilot's license.

With the kind of fringe benefits
you girls have to offer

I could get you
a crew right now.

(SIREN WAILING)

Mel? Joe.

I'm stuck in traffic: on Carlton
Road, just east of Mannheim.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed
and flipped over.

It's lying on its side
like a drunken dinosaur.

Joe, I need
two-niner awful bad.

If you're not out
in 15 minutes

call me back and I'll get the
Highway Patrol to bring you in.

What else can go wrong?

I better get up and
check the snow desk.

I'll be back in
time for his call.

You're not going anywhere.
You're exhausted.

You've been rushing
around for three days.

I've got to get up there.

Why do you have to do
everything yourself?

You've got an assistant.
Let Mike do it.

Sit down and relax. I'll fix you
some coffee and a sandwich.

Oh...

One thing you should do.

You promised to
call your wife back.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Bakersfeld residence.
Libby speaking.

This is
Mr. Bakersfeld talking.

Daddy.
Isn't this snow super?

Baby, it's cool.
Real cool.

Robbie,
Daddy's on the phone.

- Hello, Dad.
- Hi, Robbie.

Are you coming
home tonight?

At the moment, honey,
I'm not so sure.

You see...

Say good night, girls. Mommy
wants to talk to Daddy.

Good night, Daddy.

Good night, Dad.

You hung up
on me before.

Don't ever do that again.

I'm sorry, but I was rushing
to get out onto the field.

Well, all right, all right. We don't
have time to argue about it now.

You have a dinner jacket there.
Meet me at the hotel.

I told you, I can't make it.
We've got an emergency.

I have to stay here,
probably all night.

You can't.

You can't keep
doing this to me.

Listen to me, Cindy.

In the past month you've scheduled me
for seven of those charity wing dings.

I've made four of them. That's
not a bad batting average.

CINDY: I'm not a ball game
where you keep score.

I'm your wife.

MEL: Try to remember it and think
of my position for a change.

CANDY: Well, that's a
hell of a thing to say.

I'm only thinking
about you.

This isn't just
another dinner.

Dad'll be there and
he wants to talk to you.

MEL: He's been talking
to me for 15 years

and I've said no
for 15 years.

CINDY: And why?
It's a wonderful opportunity.

MEL: I would think that you two would
have gotten the message by now.

I'm not interested
in your father's job.

I've been in
aviation for 20 years.

That's what I'm trained for, that's
what I like and that's my life.

CINDY: Yes, and what
kind of a life.

This would give
you regular hours.

We'd have a chance to be
together, and with our children.

And your income would be
three times what it is now.

MEL: Sure, sure. We can join the
country club and get a bigger house.

CINDY:
What's wrong with that?

MEL: Now let's get
something straight.

I'll support my family my way,
on the income from my job.

CINDY: And you don't give
a damn about our future.

At the moment, I'm just trying
to survive the present.

Well, maybe
you won't have to.

What the hell
does that mean?

You figure it out.

This room's empty.

Why don't you have your coffee in
here and lie down for a minute?

Hey, guess what?

Miller says they just picked up a
stowaway from LA on Flight 86.

That makes
four this month.

BOAC had one on Monday,
a 16-year-old.

If you're wondering if we had
another fight, the answer is no.

Just a continuation
of the same one.

But I guess I'm just as
much to blame as she is.

She's right.

I look for excuses
not to go home.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Hello. Joe? Oh, Harry.

Yes, all right.
I'll be right there.

MAN 1: A couple of you guys
get on the nose wheel.

MAN 2: How deep should we go?
MAN 1: Go down about 3 feet.

(MEN CHATTERING)

If we're gonna do it this
way, we need a lot more men.

All right, I'll try to
round up some for you.

MAN: Maybe
there's an easier way.

Captain Demerest
has a good idea.

MAN: Captain.

Why don't you
tell Mr. Bakersfeld?

I've got an idea that'll make
you Aviation Man of the Year.

And Captain Benson
agrees with me.

We put pneumatic jacks under the
jacking plates and you lift her.

When you get her high
enough, you just fill in,

plank over and
roll her off on the flat.

If every jack isn't absolutely
level, she'll slide off

and you'll have a hole in
the wing and the fuel tank.

I'll stick with
Patroni's judgment.

Okay, you do it the hard way.

But get this thing out of here 'cause
I'm not taking off on two-two.

You'll use
what's available.

If it's two-two, I'm not
using noise abatement

and I'm not cutting back on
power over those houses.

So unless you want a big, fat bill for
cracked plaster and broken dishes

you'd better move this thing.

Keep digging-

Another pilot comes up with an
idea like that, hand him a shovel.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Yes, Peter?

Mrs. Livingston, I've got that stowaway
that Mr. Miller told you about.

Bring him in.

Hello,
I'm Mrs. Ada Quonsett.

I'm Mrs. Livingston.
Pleased to...

I mean, won't you...
Sit down.

Thank you, my dear. It was a
long walk from that gate.

We've got
a little talking to do.

I think you'd better
lock that door.

I see you've done
this sort of thing before.

Yes, my dear.

But it's against the law.
Why do you do it?

You see, I'm a widow, and I have
a married daughter in New York.

Sometimes I get lonely for her
and for the grandchildren.

So I go to the airport
in Los Angeles

and get on a plane
that's going to New York.

And then I'm ready to go home,
it's, well, vice versa.

Just like that,
without a ticket?

My dear, I couldn't
possibly afford a ticket.

I just have my
Social Security

and this small pension
that my late husband left me.

Have you ever been a stowaway
on any other airline?

Yes. But I like
Trans Global the best.

Well, it's nice to meet
a satisfied customer.

How about Patroni?

Highway Patrol's
bringing him in.

How long before
he'll be here?

Half an hour.

Good. Now I'll have
that sandwich.

I'm starving. I haven't
eaten since about...

I'm sorry, I...

No, no. Don't go away.

I'd like you to meet
Mrs. Quonsett.

The stowaway I was
talking about before.

This is Mr. Bakersfeld, general
manager of the airport.

How do you do?

It's a pleasure to meet
someone so important.

I'm pleased to
meet you, ma'am.

Don't go.
Come, sit with us.

Have a cup of coffee
and a sandwich.

Perhaps Mr. Bakersfeld could
impress upon Mrs. Quonsett

that this isn't a very
nice thing to do.

Mrs. Livingston
hasn't been able to.

Yes, Mrs. Quonsett.

What you've done
is dishonest.

You've broken the law.

You've defrauded
Trans Global.

Don't you realize
they can prosecute you?

But they wouldn't,
would they?

I don't think it'd be
very good public relations

for a big airline to
prosecute a little old lady

just because she wanted
to visit her daughter.

- May I have one?
- Well, sure.

I didn't eat much
on the plane.

The beef was
a little too well done

and the salad dressing
had garlic in it.

I think you should
tell them, my dear,

that very often, elderly
people can't tolerate garlic.

Gives them gas.

Well, I'll certainly
mention it to our chef.

Thank you.

Not at all.

TANYA: Now look,
Mrs. Quonsett,

since you've had so much free
travel from Trans Global

the least you could do is tell us
how you get aboard our flights.

Well, my dear,
I use many methods.

But mostly, I like to be in the airport
early enough to get me a boarding pass.

But our boarding passes
are ticket folders.

Yes, I know.

I go to a counter and
tell them I've lost mine

and may I please
have another one.

I always pick a counter
where the clerks are busy

and lots of people
are waiting.

They always give me one.

But it's just
a blank folder.

It isn't made out
as a gate pass.

I do that myself
in the ladies' room.

I know from experience
just what to write.

I carry one of these big black pencils
like the airlines use in my purse.

- See?
- Yes, I do.

I'll keep that,
if you don't mind.

Well, it's really mine.

But if you want it, I suppose
I can get another one.

So now you have a boarding pass, Mrs.
Quonsett. What then?

Well, then I go to
the departure gate.

- Coffee?
- No, thank you.

I wait till the young man
checking tickets there is busy

and then I walk past him
and onto the plane.

Do you hear that,
Mr. Coakley?

And no one stops you,
not even the stewardesses?

If you get on late enough, they're
hanging up coats, you know

and talking to the men.

I just show them my
folder quickly, you see.

I'll keep that, too.

But I'm sure you don't
always use a boarding pass.

No.

Sometimes I tell them that my son has
gone aboard but he dropped his wallet.

I carry a man's
wallet in my hand...

That works best of all.

I must say, Mrs. Quonsett,

you have everything
figured out very carefully.

My late husband taught
me to be thorough.

He was a teacher
of geometry.

He always said, "You must
consider every angle."

My late husband was a
lawyer, and he always said,

"Watch out for sweet-looking,
innocent little old ladies."

I'm beginning to
understand what he meant.

So you're a widow, too.
I'm sorry, my dear.

But you're young and
attractive, and I'm sure...

Let's confine the conversation
to you, Mrs. Quonsett.

We're sending you back to Los
Angeles on the next flight.

Yes, my dear.
I was afraid of that.

Well, I would like
a cup of tea first.

So I'll go now and you can
tell me when you want me back.

No, you're not going
anywhere alone.

Mrs. Quonsett will be
on Flight 103

and stick with her every
second until departure time.

- Don't let her out of your sight.
- Yes, ma'am.

She'll need a ticket.

Yes. That'll be
a change, won't it?

I'll make out an order.

May I please
have my tea now?

Yes, you may.

Where are you going?

Can't I have it in the
Commander's Club?

No, that's for
members only.

But I have a card.

This card says
"Mrs. Henry Jackson."

Gertrude's
a friend of mine.

She lets me use it
when I'm traveling.

Well, we'll send it back to
Gertrude with a very strong letter.

We'll go this way,
Mrs. Quonsett.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, ma'am.

You've been very nice.
Thank you.

I don't believe it.
I just don't believe it.

(LAUGHING)

And you were a big help,
giving her that VIP treatment,

deference, courtesy,
sandwiches.

I'm surprised you didn't break
open a bottle of champagne.

If there'd been one
around, I would have.

She deserves it.
She's fabulous.

She just sat there
laughing at us.

Take it easy.

There have been stowaways since the
Egyptians first sailed the Red Sea.

Hmm. And when they caught them,
they tossed them overboard.

The airlines won't do a thing
about it, and she knows it.

Crafty little old biddy.

Come on now. Relax.

After all, she only stole
a ride, not a plane.

I know but...

Mel, they've been
pressuring me

about that transfer
to San Francisco.

I think I'll take it.
The pay is better

and the change of climate
will do me good.

- No snow.
- Yes.

It's a beautiful city.
I'll miss you.

Will you? Enough
not to let me go?

I'm sorry.
I had no right to say that.

You've been honest
with me from the beginning.

No false hopes,
no promises.

I'm not as honest
as you think.

I said I invented excuses not
to go home, and that's true.

But I didn't mention the real
reason I needed to stay here.

I tell myself I've got to try
to hold things together...

for the sake
of the children.

But I'm not sure
that's true or even kind.

They know what's going on,
and it's hurting them.

Especially Roberta.

Then I think about
my mother and father.

God knows they had
their ups and downs.

But somehow they,
well, they worked it out.

I feel I ought to be able to do
the same or else I've failed.

And I don't like to fail.

(SIGHING)

I don't know
what to do about it.

Maybe you love your wife
more than you realize.

No. No. Not for
a long time now.

The only thing we've got left
in common is the same address.

I'm not pressing you, Mel.

I wouldn't play that
kind of game with you.

But I think I'd better take
that job in San Francisco.

Mrs. Livingston?

Yes?

Excuse me, Mrs. Livingston,
but Customs just called.

The chief would like
you to come down.

He says
it's rather important.

All right.

Seems that one of our passengers
is demanding to speak

to someone in authority
from Trans Global.

Will you explain to this man that we're
no longer living in the Dark Ages.

That nowadays, stores in this
country import clothes from France?

If you'd bothered to look, you'd
see the Bergdorf Goodman labels.

Oh, I did bother to look,
madam, rather closely.

I find the sewing of the labels isn't
up to Bergdorf's usual standard.

They're always very
professional, very neat.

As you can see...

this is a pretty sloppy job.

But I suppose everybody's having
trouble getting good help these days.

Especially the
Customs Service.

(DOG WHIMPERING)

ANNOUNCER: Will Mr. Henry Oliver come
to the cashier's window, please?

What's the matter, boy?
Is something the matter?

Oh. Your collar's too tight.

Officer, about the fur and the
dresses, perhaps I did make a mistake.

I did buy them there, and there
are some other things...

I'm sorry, madam.

Check everything
else very carefully.

Inspect the lining of
the bags and the cases.

- Make a list.
- Yes, sir.

Sorry, fella.

I'd like to change that declaration,
please, officer. I beg of you.

- My husband...
CUSTOMS OFFICER: Why don't you sit down?

This may take
quite some time.

When will they ever learn?

The duty would have been about one-tenth
of what the fine is going to be.

You are amazing. I never
would have suspected her.

Well, after 30 years,
you kind of know.

First, I look in their eyes,
and then the luggage.

Thanks for coming down.

Now, may I ask you
another favor?

If you want me to smuggle
anything in, the answer is no.

(LAUGHS) No.

My sister's girl,
Judy Barton,

is gonna be on your number
two flight to Rome tonight.

Can you get her
a window seat?

I'm sure of it.

Good.

Mrs. Livingston?

Yes?

With this weather, do you
think it'll get off on time?

Flight Two, the Golden Argosy
will depart for Rome on schedule.

Good. Fine. Thank you.

(WIND HOWLING)

(UPBEAT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

I thought you said
you were leaving tomorrow.

No, I said I have
to start work tomorrow.

I've gotta be in
Milwaukee tonight.

Remember?

This isn't another one of those
"hello, good-bye" jobs, is it?

I talked to Mr. Williams himself.
$175 a week.

This is a 30-story building. The job
will last eight months at least.

I hope so.

This time,
do me one favor.

If your boss says two and two
are six, agree with him.

Whatever way he wants to do
anything, that's my way.

Don't lose your temper.

And Williams said that
after the job in Milwaukee

they're gonna build
a new building in Detroit.

He even said that they may
subcontract the excavating to me.

Be satisfied that
you're working.

lam.

You'll see.
Everything will be fine.

It's gonna be
the way it used to be.

Nothing's the way
it used to be.

I'm not complaining.

You never do.

How you could
stick with me...

For better or for worse.

I meant what I said.

It's gonna be better
again, I promise.

You know,
I've got ideas.

The kids won't have to live
with your sister anymore.

And you're gonna have money
and a nice home and clothes.

Stop dreaming.

Just hold on to the job.

I'll do it right
this time.

I won't mess it up.

How are you gonna
get to Milwaukee?

The bus. It leaves in
just a few minutes.

I've got enough for that

and then I can draw an advance
on my salary tomorrow.

But I will need something
for a hotel room tonight.

If you could
let me have ten...

All I got is enough to put
something on the rent.

Dom,

the silverware is gone.
My watch is gone.

My mother's ring.
Don't pawn that.

Here.

I can give the landlord
another hard luck story.

Goodbye, Dom.

Inez...

I haven't been
a very good provider,

but I will be,
I promise you that.

Goodbye, Inez.

I love you. I want you
to always remember that.

(WOMAN SPEAKING ITALIAN)

BUS DRIVER: $2.

That's highway robbery.

Why the airlines don't provide free
transportation, I'll never know.

Look, mister, I don't own the bus.
I just drive it. $2.

- You're holding up the line.
- Here. Here.

VERNON: Hi, Anson.

What are you doing
here so early?

Trying to impress
your check pilot?

I thought you'd give
me an "A" for effort.

No. We're using 324 tonight.

On her last flight, number two
engine gave them some trouble.

I want to see what
Maintenance did about it.

Hope they gave
us a new one.

They even replaced
all the wiring.

Just to be on the safe side.

That's the side
I like to be on.

What's the matter?

I was just thinking about the
last time you checked me out.

You marked me down for not
wearing a regulation shirt.

I was just hoping
to get even.

Not a chance.

Knowing how tough
you can be,

tonight I even
polished my wings.

(SIREN WAILING)

Thanks, fellas.

I tried to get some
more help, but no luck.

I only got 20
men out there.

I knew you'd blow it.

So I did a little phoning from my car.
I got 50.

Where'd you
get them from?

Braniff, Delta,
Continental.

We're not like the stiffs
in the front office

who wear ties and spend their time
stealing passengers from each other.

Maintenance,
it's like a circus.

If one of us gets in trouble,
he yells, "Hey, Rube."

They all come running.
Let's get going.

I got a beautiful dame
waiting for me at home.

(CREW CHATTERING)

We should be above this
in about 20 minutes or so.

Let's hope.

- Did you forget something?
- No.

Just checking
the Rome weather.

It's not too cold
and sunny.

As usual, I've brought
the wrong clothes.

I don't have
a thing to wear.

Great.

I'll have this mother
out of here by midnight.

Stop worrying.

In that case,
the party starts at 12:01.

I'll settle for
a box of cigars.

See you later.

You keep leaning on
that shovel, Jack,

you're gonna freeze
solid like Lot's wife.

We want to move this airplane
before it becomes obsolete.

The way you guys keep
heading for this bus

looks like you got
a broad stashed in there.

Everybody out!

MAN: I gotta get warm.

(MEN CHATTERING)

ANNOUNCER: Attention, please,
ladies and gentlemen.

Trans Global Airlines regrets to announce
that the Golden Argosy Flight Two to Rome

will not depart
until 11:00 p.m.

(PASSENGERS EXCLAIMING)

We are indeed sorry...

No more than an hour.

ANNOUNCER: ...but this is due to
the condition of the highways

which is causing unavoidable
delays to ground transportation.

So those of you on Flight
Two to Rome, don't worry.

They're going
to hold the plane.

Just relax.
I'll get you there in time.

They could have decided that
before we left the terminal.

Making us sit here and worry.
It's inexcusable.

Go away.
Your nose is running.

No.

(WOMAN SPEAKING ITALIAN)

ANNOUNCER:
...221 for Denver.

Will all passengers
holding tickets

for Continental Flight
221 to Denver

please report to the
Continental ticket counter

to arrange for
a complimentary dinner.

Of course,
if it's not crowded, I...

Here's the ticket.
It's Flight 103.

Thank you.

No, you don't.

My, she has
a suspicious nature.

Go on. You were saying that you prefer
the flights that aren't direct.

Yes. That's why your
Flight 86 is my favorite.

St. Louis,
Kansas City, Chicago.

But I should think that they check
at all the intermediate stops.

I pretend to be asleep.
Usually they don't disturb me.

But this time
they caught you.

It was that man
sitting next to me.

I confided in him, and he
betrayed me to the stewardess.

He was a policeman
from San Diego.

I think they should make them
always wear their uniforms.

Otherwise,
how's a person to know?

Hi, Mel. I was just
gonna have you paged.

I had to go
out on the field.

We got trouble.

I talked to the lawyer
for the Meadowood people.

He says unless
we stop planes

from taking off over their
houses by midnight,

he's starting
a damage suit,

first thing in the morning,
for $10 million.

That's a nice, round figure,
but he hasn't got a prayer.

He might not win,
but he can sue.

And any legal action will only
make our public relations

worse than
they already are.

And that's something the other
commissioners and I don't want to risk.

What do you
propose to do?

There's only one answer.

Shut down runway two-two and cut
out the noise over Meadowood.

With two-niner out, that closes
down the airport completely.

Only until morning.

You've promised them
dozens of times

you wouldn't disturb
their sleep.

I promised them we wouldn't
take off over their houses

unless there was an emergency,

and I promised them
something else.

In the foreseeable future, the noise
problem would not get any better.

If you don't want to spend a
couple of months in court,

you'd better start
conning them a little.

You think lying to them
is the answer, huh?

Oh, Mel.

There's your answer.

A modern, expanded airport,

big and efficient enough

to take anything the
designers can throw at us.

That means buying up Meadowood and
rezoning it for industrial use

so the noise won't
make any difference.

I didn't come here to talk
about the future of aviation.

You better start.

And you better start
looking ahead a few years.

What are we gonna do about these
jumbos that seat 500 passengers?

How will we get the people
to and from the airport?

Save that for
the women's clubs

and the Rotary luncheons.

We've got to be practical.

Sure, sure. Ignore it.

Don't stick
your neck out.

It's about time that you and
the other commissioners

began fighting for a bond issue to
finance this kind of an airport,

instead of running around checking
to see if the toilets flush.

I don't think insulting me
will solve anything

so why don't we get back
to our immediate problem?

We've got to make
a decision about tonight.

I've made it.

The airport's staying open.

Stop being so bull-headed.
Think of the consequences.

Don't talk to me
about consequences.

When Congress voted to out
airport appropriations

you never even sent
in a letter of protest.

Where were you when the airlines
and the pilots and the rest of us

were pleading for more airports
and better traffic: control?

You were picking out the
colors in the ladies' lounge.

So now you've got your
consequences, congested air traffic

where Sunday pilots hold up airliners
with thousands of people aboard

and force us to stack up planes bound
for New York as far away as Denver.

When it comes to politics,
you're a child.

Two of our councilmen
live in Meadowood.

Think what they can
do to us downtown.

I'm thinking of those pilots
upstairs waiting to land,

flying blind in that muck and
circling in holding patterns

and praying to God that
some tired, overworked,

underpaid controller
in the tower

doesn't have another plane
on the same course.

You can call it pigheaded,
call it anything you want.

But as long as we're not below FAA
minimums, we're not closing down.

All right, if that's
the way you want it.

I'm calling the other commissioners
and I'll let you know

what our decision
is within an hour.

That's your privilege.

You hired me. You've got
the right to fire me.

But until you do,
this airport is staying open.

Do you wish to
make a reservation?

No, I don't.

Could you please tell me if
there's a flight to Rome tonight?

Yes. Our Golden Argosy, Flight Two.
It departs at 10:00 p.m.

Only tonight, it's delayed one
hour due to weather conditions.

It's very important to me to find
out if somebody's on that flight.

His name is
D.O. Guerrero.

I'm terribly sorry. We're not allowed
to give out that information.

You don't understand.

The person I'm asking
about is my husband.

Well, I'm sorry,
but it's a company rule.

You might go
out to the airport,

if you can get there before
they board the flight,

you could see your
husband if he's there.

I see.

That's the only way,
I suppose. Thank you.

Thank you for
calling Trans Global.

Why didn't you
tell me this before?

I tried.

But we were
in a hurry, and...

You're sure?

Do you mean am I
sure I'm pregnant,

or am I sure
you're the father?

Come on, Gwen.
I didn't...

The answer to both
questions is yes.

You know
I wasn't asking...

You have
a perfect right to.

I want you to know
something, Vern.

That there hasn't been
anyone else but you.

You see, there couldn't be.
I happen to love you.

I'm afraid
I was careless.

I stopped
taking the pills

because they were
making me gain weight.

So instead of being
plump, I'm pregnant.

Stop twisting
your wedding ring.

I know
you've got a wife.

I know
you can't marry me.

I knew it
in the beginning.

I won't make things
difficult for you.

I'll work it out myself.

Don't be ridiculous.

You don't think I'd walk out
and ignore the whole thing?

I'll take care of you.

I'll make sure you don't
go to some butcher

two flights up
over a drugstore.

I hear Sweden's
the best place.

Good doctors, good
hospitals, medically safe.

It's very quick,
very simple.

One minute you have it,
next minute you don't.

There's no danger
of complications.

That is,
no physical complications.

I'm not so sure
about the moral ones.

You have religious scruples?

No. No.

But the strangest thing
happened to me today,

when the doctor told me.

I mean, I've known other girls
in the same situation...

toss it off with bad jokes like,
"I've got a bun in the oven,"

or, "Captain, we've got an
extra passenger on board."

I knew I'd react
the same way.

Very modern,
very sophisticated.

But I certainly didn't.

I was suddenly filled with
a sense of wonder and awe.

I don't want to sound
mystical or anything

but I am carrying
someone who's part of us.

I'm not so sure
I want to lose it.

And if you have
the baby, then what?

Well, I suppose adoption
would be the answer.

They're very
careful nowadays.

They find
the right family.

They're very careful, all the
arrangements are made beforehand.

And the records are
kept secret, you know.

And you'll never
see the baby.

I suppose in time
I'll be sensible,

but I've gotta
have time to think.

Vern, thank you for caring.

Most men would have said,
"So long, girl. Tough luck."

(SIGHS) Not this one.

You know, I think you
really do love me a little.

It makes it harder to
decide, but easier to bear.

(CREW CHATTERING)

- Something wrong?
- GWEN: The air vent was stuck.

The captain fixed it.

(ENGINE ROARING)

Full throttle.

All the way.

(ENGINE SLOWING)

You chickened out on me.

I told you I wanted
all the power you got.

Full throttle and this plane
would be standing on its nose.

You may fly
these things,

but I take them apart
and put them together.

If you had any guts, we'd
be on the runway by now.

You felt it vibrating?

Another ten seconds and we'd
have had structural damage.

Who do you think
you're talking to,

some kid that
fixes bicycles?

I know every
inch of the 707.

Take the wings off this and
you could use it as a tank.

This plane is built
to withstand anything,

except a bad pilot.

All right, hold it. This kind
of talk will get us nowhere.

You might tell
your mechanic

I've got three million
miles in the air.

And two and a half
feet in the ground.

Let's stop wasting time.

What do we do now?

Now we gotta dig
a lot deeper,

put lumber
under the wheels.

But the next time we try, since
he's afraid, I'll drive it out.

I'm not turning this
ship over to anybody

without authorization
from our chief pilot.

I phoned Kettering,
but there's no answer.

I guess we just sit
here till you get him.

No, we don't,
we haven't got time.

You're not in the air,
you're on the ground.

My ground. And you're
blocking my primary runway.

I'm not using full power.
It's too risky.

Then I'll make the decision.

I'll take the responsibility
for the aircraft.

Mr. Patroni is licensed to taxi.
He'll take over.

If he tears this ship apart, I hope
you've got $8 million to pay for it.

Joe, my neck's
out about 14 feet.

You sure it'll work?

Let's put it this way.

You promised me a box of cigars
if I pulled this off, right?

What are you standing here for?
Go get them.

The bus from downtown
terminal is just coming in.

ANNOUNCER:
Your attention, please.

Trans Global Airlines, the Golden
Argosy, Flight Two, non-stop to Rome

is now ready for boarding.

All passengers holding
confirmed reservations

please proceed to Gate 33
on Concourse D.

(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING ITALIAN)

Rome.

The Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel.
The Catacombs.

My dear late husband and I
always planned to visit there.

"See Rome and die,"
he always said.

But he died just when
we were packing.

- Gee. That's too bad.
- Yes.

So near and yet so far.

(GROANING)

What's wrong?

Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

- What is it?
- I'm sorry.

I'm afraid I'm having
one of my spells.

I'll get help.
I'll call for a doctor.

I'll be all right.

I've had these for
years. It'll pass.

Oh, dear. If I could just lie
down for a little while.

I saw a cot in the ladies'
room a little while ago.

I'll help you.
Come on. Take it easy.

Sure you're gonna
be all right?

Sit down along the
way if you're not.

ANNOUNCER:
...Flight 45 from Pittsburgh

are notified that the flight has been
canceled due to weather conditions.

You'll be all right.
We'll be there in a second.

I'm much better.
Much better.

Are you sure you don't want
me to call the doctor?

No. I've been enough trouble already.
But don't go away.

You will stay right here like
you did before, won't you?

Certainly.
I'll stay right here.

(MOANING)

Perhaps you're right.
You'd better get a doctor.

Of course.
Right away.

But don't worry.
I'll be all right.

There's an attendant in there,
and she'll take care of you.

I won't be a minute.

Thank you.

That is E-R-O.

And what amount policy were you
considering, Mr. Guerrero?

$150,000.

- That'll be $5.
- Yes. I know.

But for $2.50 more, you
could take out $225,000.

- It isn't much for all that protection.
- No.

I don't know if I have that much left.
American money.

I exchanged
all my dollars to lira.

We accept foreign currency.

Well, I've got
that all in big bills.

Or we'll take a personal
check if you like.

No. When I go to Europe, I always
leave my checkbook at home.

You know, it's too much
of a temptation.

Wait a minute.
I may have enough.

I didn't mean
to push you,

but we're having
a sales contest

and I've got
a chance for the prize.

- Every little bit helps.
- Yeah.

Could you hurry
that up, please?

They've already
called my flight.

It's just the first call.
You still have time.

ANNOUNCER:
Delta Airlines, Flight 299...

MAN: But I distinctly
asked for the fourth row.

GROUND HOST: I'm terribly sorry,
but this is the best we can do.

MAN: Give it to me.

Did you say this is some
kind of exchange program?

Yes. You see, the Italian girl
will be living with my folks

and I'll be living
with them.

TANYA: That should be
quite an experience.

I'm sorry.
Could you hurry, please?

There's the terminal, lady.

Over there.

Just be a couple
more minutes now.

Now, how about letting me
buy you a cup of coffee?

Good. Mr. Bakersfeld's
in there having dinner.

We can join him.

- Let me check the counter first.
- Right.

Here you are, sir.
Seat 23-A.

- Have a good flight.
- Thank you.

Just two no-shows
in first class, huh?

They're on their way. They've been
waiting in the Commander's Club.

No. I'm just a visitor.
I work downstairs.

Sorry.

Ready?

Say, did you see that man with
the attache case just now?

No.

If he was coming in from
abroad instead of going out,

I'd want to inspect it.

You think he's smuggling?

It was the way he held the
case, the look in his eye.

He tried to hand
me his ticket.

Thank you.
Sorry about the delay.

- It's all right.
- Excuse me, young man.

My son dropped his wallet. All his
money's in it. He went on board.

Blonde hair, no hat, camel hair coat.
I wonder...

I'm not allowed to accept
a wallet with money.

See the stewardess
about it, please.

Oh.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

But you see
if someone is smuggling

they usually start to get
nervous when they land,

not before they take off.

This guy was
really shaken.

If it is contraband
and he's a trembler,

Italian customs
will nail him.

Besides, there's not much we
can do about it at this end.

I don't know.
I think somebody ought to.

Maybe you ought
to tell your boss.

Just in case he might want
to notify the captain.

I guess you're right.
I'll be right back.

ANNOUNCER: International
Flight 49 for Dallas

now boarding at Gate 19,
the Red Concourse.

All passengers holding
confirmed reservations

please proceed to Gate 19,
the Red Concourse.

23-8?

Yes.

What are you doing here?

She got away.

She what?

Well, what she did was...

I don't care
how she got away.

Get on that phone and call
every airline and every gate.

I'll see if Security
can round her up.

Forward jet Way's
still in place.

It's your decision, Captain.

Make some noise.

Miss Meighen?

Yes, Captain?

What's the delay?

The tourist head
count won't tally.

Where's the ramp supervisor?

- He's back there, counting.
- Get him.

The plane to Rome,
is it gone?

- No. But you'll have to hurry.
- Which way?

Go to the waiting room
and turn right.

Green concourse, Gate 33.

Thank you.

Look, I know you got
problems, and so have we,

but how long
we gonna sit here?

I've ordered a ticket recheck.
We should have 81 in tourist.

It seems we've got 82.

Every second we sit here, we're
burning fuel on three and four

which you gave
the okay to start.

Precious fuel we'll
need in the air tonight.

I know...

Unless this plane leaves now,

I'm gonna shut down and we'll send
for fuelling to top off our tanks.

So you make up your mind.

It'll only take another
few minutes or so.

And I'll tell you
something else.

The tower just told us
they have a temporary gap,

so if we taxi out right
away, we can take off fast.

But five minutes from now
may mean a half-hour delay.

So you take the responsibility.
What do we do?

Cancel the ticket recheck. Okay.
You're leaving now.

ANNOUNCER:
Continental Airlines Flight 41

for Los Angeles now
boarding at Gate 26.

May I see your
ticket, please?

Thank you.

Ruth. Cancel the ticket check.
We're leaving.

Fine.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER:
Commander, start two.

Turning two.

Okay to start one?

ANNOUNCER: Braniff International
Flight 252 from Houston

now arriving at Gate 10,
the Red Concourse.

23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30,

31, 32, 33, 34, 35...

Excuse me, please.

I'd like to find out if my husband's
on that flight that just left.

I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm not allowed
to give that information.

He hasn't been well.

I just wanted to make sure he got on
safely. His name's D.O. Guerrero.

All right.

Yes. He's aboard.

19, 20, 21, 22, 23,

24, 25, 26, 27,

28, 29, 30.

Life rafts are located in the
ceiling storage compartments.

In addition to the doors, there are
emergency exits over both wings.

For more information
concerning these items

please look in the seat
pocket in front of you.

We suggest you read it
sometime during the flight.

(STEWARDESS
ANNOUNCING IN ITALIAN)

Don't worry, if you take one of
these, you won't get airsick at all.

Thank you, Doctor.

PILOT: Global Two, Lincoln
Tower, clear for take off.

VERNON: Global Two, rolling.

On top at 7,000. Clear above.
Visibility unlimited.

Proceeding on course. We'll
report passing Cleveland.

Now, there's nothing
to be nervous about.

I've flown thousands of
miles, and I can tell you,

it's a lot safer than
crossing a street.

Yes, she was here.
I saw her go on.

But did you
see her get off?

No.

But I'm almost
certain she did.

Her son dropped his wallet and
she went to give it to him.

Your wallet gag.
She's on the plane.

Maybe that's why the
head count didn't tally.

Speaking of head counts,
have you counted yours lately?

I'm sure you've
got at least two.

Should I send word to the
captain to check and verify?

But have Flight Dispatch call
him on the company frequency

so we can keep it private.

Our ground speed
is 620 miles per hour.

We've reached our cruising
altitude of 33,000 feet.

The temperature outside is a
pleasant 50 degrees below zero.

Our route tonight will
take us over Toronto,

Montreal, Cape Ray,
St. John, Newfoundland,

across the Atlantic, reaching
the European coastline

just north of Lisbon and
on into Rome on schedule.

The weather in Rome is a lot better
than what we left behind in Chicago.

If there's anything we can do to
make your flight more enjoyable,

please let us know,
thank you.

(FLIGHT PHONE RINGING)

This is Global Two.

Flight Two, Cleveland. I
have a message from Lincoln.

Advise when ready to copy.

Go ahead, Cleveland.
We're ready.

We're practically certain you
have a stowaway on board.

Caucasian, female,

approximately 5 feet,
100 pounds,

age about 70,

wearing a brown hat
with a brown pompom,

tweed coat with
black velvet collar.

Name, Mrs. Ada Quonsett.
Determine and confirm.

Will check and advise.

- I don't believe it.
- I believe it.

Those penguins on
the ground are idiots.

Now the guy in 21-D
says it's too hot.

You want a laugh?

Have you seen her?

She's not in first. I've hardly
checked the tourist section yet.

Go back and see if the
old biddy's there, huh?

If she is,
what do I do?

Nothing. Just come
back and report.

How about that?

Little old lady just walks on like
she's walking into an elevator.

There you are.

Miss, the captain said
we'd arrive on schedule.

That means we're gonna make
up for the hour's delay.

Father, with a ground speed
of 620 miles per hour

and a distance
of 4,817 miles...

it's a physical
impossibility.

Your son is right.

The captain was referring
to scheduled flying time.

It'll be approximately seven and
a half hours from take off.

Excuse me.

GWEN: I see you've
got a boyfriend.

(LAUGHING)

Yes, and he's invited me
to Rome to a nightclub.

Miss, these nuts are stale.

GWEN: I'm sorry, sir. I'll try
and find you some fresher ones.

MAN: $474, and they
give you stale nuts.

So you play the oboe. My late
husband played the violin.

Not professionally,
but he was very good.

He once played the Minute
Waltz in 58 seconds.

- There you are.
WOMAN: Thank you.

Nuts to the
man in 21-D.

You said it.

May I treat you
to another sherry?

No. One is all I ever... Well, thank you.
You're very kind.

She's there,
all right, 23-B.

That's why the head
count was wrong.

What do you want me to do?

Nothing.

If you start questioning her,
there's bound to be tears...

We were asked to check
and report, that's all.

They'll grab her in Rome.

So until then, why make
the old girl miserable?

You know, Captain,
you're a real nice person.

I didn't know you were
so fond of old women.

I prefer
the younger ones.

So I heard.

But opportunities
don't last forever.

Pretty soon, you and I'll have to
settle for the not so young ones.

I already have
for quite some time.

That's right. You always played
it right straight down the line.

No mucking around
on layovers.

Helen was a stewardess flying DC-4s.
That's how we met.

She knew what was going on,
so when we got married,

I made her a promise, the obvious one.
I've always kept it.

I guess all those
kids you had helped.

Yeah, maybe.

How many have
you got, six?

No, seven.
Four we planned.

Three we didn't.

(EXHALES)

The ones you didn't plan,
did you ever consider...

doing anything about them
before they were born?

No.

Let me tell you something.
I love all seven of them.

But the three
we didn't plan...

boy, they turned out to be
something real special.

Detain on board
after landing.

Release only to
station manager, Rome.

I'm going to Flight
Dispatch. I'll take it.

I'll take it for you,
Mr. Weatherby.

No, thank you.

I don't want it to wind up
in the ladies' room.

TANYA: What about
the man I mentioned?

The one with
the attache case.

If Standish wants to find out
what the guy's smuggling

let him get Italian
customs to check.

I'm not going to offend
a paying passenger

with something that's
none of our business.

I was wondering, what
if he isn't smuggling.

What if...

Forget it.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Livingston,
that he got mad at you.

It was all my fault.

Never mind.
He'll get over it.

That man was one of
the last to go aboard,

so he probably was on
that bus that was late.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Reindel.

John, this is
Tanya Livingston.

Do me a favor,
will you?

Read me the list of passengers on
Flight Two who came out on the bus.

Yeah. Hang on a minute.
I've got it right here.

Never mind the women.
Just the men.

"Rathbone, Marcus J.

"Bonnelli, Luigi.

"Guerrero, D.O.

"Yates, Robert."

She stood us up,
that's all.

I hope that's all.

(PAGER BUZZING)

You or me?

You.

Bakersfeld.

Your wife insisted
that I page you.

She's waiting for you
in your office.

Thanks.

Oh, Mrs. Livingston.

I'm sorry to bother you

but one of my men found this
woman wandering aimlessly.

Seems terribly upset
about something.

She ought
to see the doctor.

She doesn't want to.

I think what's worrying her most is she
doesn't have any money to get back to town.

I'd like to help...

She let me go
through her purse.

I thought maybe I'd find a little
address book or something,

call somebody
who knew her.

But there was
nothing in it but this.

I thought since her husband
bought a ticket on Global

you might want to give her
bus fare to get home.

$5 would do it.

Now, you just
take it easy, ma'am.

Everything's gonna be fine.

Guerrero.

And we don't have
a home anymore.

We have a waiting room,

a place where I
can walk the floor,

and wonder whether you're going
to leave this damn airport

long enough to drop by
for a few minutes.

Why you have to pick tonight to
come out here and fight with me...

I came here to tell you
that Roberta left home.

What do you mean,
left home? When?

I called from the banquet to say
good night, and I spoke to Libby.

Roberta, she said, told her that she
couldn't stand our fighting any longer.

That she "couldn't stand
the atmosphere of hate."

And that's a direct quote.

Where is she?
Did Libby say?

She's at Sally
Bolten's house.

She's going to spend the night.
I spoke to her.

Cindy, we can't do
this to the kids.

We've got to call a truce,
even if it's a pretense.

We've got to start being
civil to each other.

And add hypocrisy
to the problem?

They'd see through that in a minute.
That's not the answer.

Well, we've got
to do something.

You're right, and the
only answer is a divorce.

You think that will make
them feel more secure?

A broken home?

It's better to come from a
broken home than to live in one.

You may be right.

And you may be
right about me, too.

I suppose I'm like
a lot of men, a bigamist.

Married to both
a woman and a job.

And I can't be number
two wife any longer.

(PAGER BUZZING)

Yes, Danny?

DANNY: Patroni
wants a skip loader.

Get one from
the parking lot.

We must get that
plane out of there.

And keep twenty-niner clean
so it'll be operational.

That's what I mean. Those things
are more important than we are.

No, not more important. But at
the moment more imperative.

It just so happens
we're in a hell of a mess.

We certainly are.

(SIGHING)

It's a big step, Cindy.

You're sure you don't
want to reconsider?

No. It's too late.

It's not just the girls
that I'm thinking of.

There's someone else, Mel, and
there has been for quite a while.

Someone who makes me feel
wanted, occasionally.

You had no idea, had you?

Too busy to even
consider the possibility.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Mel...

Mr. Bakersfeld. I'm sorry.
I didn't know you were busy.

Cindy... Mrs. Livingston, Mrs.
Bakersfeld.

How do you do?

I have information on that
man with the attache case.

I'll talk to you about it
in a little while.

Certainly.

Are you sure?

Are you really sure?

Yes.

(SIGHING)

When we tell the children,
we must do it together.

Of course. And I promise
there won't be any trouble.

You may see the girls
as often as you wish.

Thanks.

As a matter of fact, you'll
probably see them more often.

Ex-husbands always seem
to make a special effort.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Bakersfeld.
(PAGER BUZZING)

Hang on a second.

Ned. I'll be
right with you.

Go ahead.
Yes, that's all right.

Put it in warehouse 12.
Get the trucks out of the way.

They're not supposed
to be blocking that area.

(HANGS UP PHONE)

What's up, Ned?

No. Let the city
police handle it.

You just stay right here.
I'll just be a minute.

The downtown terminal told me they
remembered a man with an attache case.

We must have checked in
10 men with an attache case.

But this one held
it under his arm.

And when the agent tried
to put a cabin tag on it,

he pulled away and insisted
on putting it on himself.

That's why they remembered him.
And it was Guerrero.

I can't get anything out of his
wife except a blank stare.

Maybe you can make her talk.
Please try.

I have a horrible feeling...

Bring her in.

Mrs. Guerrero...

She's gone.

(PAGER BUZZING)

Hold it. Yes, sir?

Remember the woman you turned over to Mrs.
Livingston?

She's given us the slip.

She's probably still
in the terminal.

You've got to find her.

We'll sure try.
Will you round up my boys?

We'll announce from here.

You do it. I'll call
the insurance company.

- What's the security code?
- Lester Mainwaring.

Attention, please.
Attention, please.

Mr. Lester Mainwaring's party.

Mr. Mainwaring requests that
all members of his travel group

report immediately
to the main terminal entrance.

To the main terminal entrance.

Yes. Here it is,
Mr. Bakersfeld.

"D.O. Guerrero."
It's for $225,000.

Yes, I remember him.

Yes, sir, he was
a little nervous.

Aside from that, did you notice
anything unusual about him?

Well, just one thing.

For somebody going to Europe, he
didn't seem to have much money.

He paid me with six one-dollar
bills and the rest in change.

Mostly nickels and dimes. It seemed
to be just about all he had.

Thanks.

You've been so busy we just
haven't had a chance to chat.

I'm Ada Quonsett.

How do you do?

What's your name, sir?

Guerrero.

Guerrero?
That's Spanish, isn't it?

Yes, but way back.

You look more Irish.

So did my mother.

I've been fascinated by that figuring
you've been doing on the map.

I said to Mr. Davidson
I was sure you'd win.

The contest.

The one that comes closest to
guessing our time of arrival

wins a sightseeing trip.

Oh, no, I just do this
as sort of a hobby.

I like to see if I can calculate
where we are all the time.

- Now, that's...
- If you'll excuse me,

I think I'll take
a little nap.

Approach with
extreme caution.

His seat assignment
is 23-A.

Have the dispatcher send it the way he sent
the other one on the company frequency,

probably New York.

They're out of the
Cleveland area by now.

How do we know the man is
not just an ordinary eccentric?

Maybe all he's got in there
are some important papers.

I don't think so.

I wish I did. I have a
niece aboard that flight.

Suppose he has
got a bomb.

They've been up there
for over an hour.

Why hasn't he let it go?

I don't know.

Maybe he's waiting until
they get out over the ocean.

The Atlantic
doesn't leave traces.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

We just found
the Guerrero woman.

One of my men
is bringing her up.

Hold that call. We may
have something to add.

I'll call you right back.

Now they say
it's too cold.

He has fainting spells.

So when he feels one coming on,
he takes a whiff of oxygen.

Sometimes it helps.

Don't let him kid you.

It's an FAA regulation.

Over 25,000, if one of us
leaves the flight deck,

the other one must go on oxygen.
It's just a precaution.

Thanks.

Why didn't you ring?
I could've brought you that.

Up there I'd have
to be formal.

Up there I couldn't tell
you how sorry I am.

How do you feel?

I feel great.

No fainting spells, no craving for
pickles, no morning sickness.

It's funny.

I didn't think you were the kind of guy
who'd worry about a thing like this.

Neither did I.

You know, before you said you
thought I loved you just a little.

You're wrong.

I love you a lot more
than just a little.

I didn't know he
was going to Rome.

He said he was
going to Milwaukee.

Here, Inez, take
another sip of this.

But this was in your purse.
You must have known.

It just came tonight, special.
I only saw it after he left.

Does your husband
have business in Italy?

What is your
husband's business?

He was...

He did excavations
for buildings.

You said "was." He's not
in that business anymore?

Things went wrong.

- Financial trouble?
- Yes.

Bad trouble?

Broke? In debt?

Then how did he get the
money for his ticket?

I think he pawned
my mother's wedding ring.

When I looked tonight
in the case, it was empty.

He just can't seem
to hold a job lately.

Why not?

He gets in arguments.
They fire him.

It's his temper. It's been like that
ever since he got out of the hospital.

What sort of hospital?

Army hospital.

Yes. But I mean, what was
he in the hospital for'?

He...

was sick.

Mental patient?

Mrs. Guerrero, what did
your husband do in the army?

He was a demolition expert.

And I suppose in his excavation
work he used explosives?

(MUMBLING)

You were about
to say something.

His last job,
they fired him.

Something was missing.

Some dynamite.

(FLIGHT PHONE RINGING)

What we need's
an unlisted number.

This is Global Two.

Global Two, New York.

We have an important message for you.
Advise when ready to copy.

Okay, New York,
go ahead.

Strong probability, repeat,
strong probability exists

that passenger D.O. Guerrero,
seat assignment 23-A,

may have an explosive device
in attache-type briefcase.

Passenger purchased
excessive insurance,

mentally disturbed
and desperate.

Approach with
extreme caution.

Yeah, that's right.

Tell them another section
of 3-by-12s laid crosswise.

MAN: Will do.
MEL: They need you?

Not yet. It won't be ready to
drive out for a half hour.

Ingram knows what
to do in the meantime.

So we know the kook
is sitting in 23-A.

That's here.

That's right.
What's your opinion?

My opinion is they should get
back here as fast as they can.

If he should let it go,

is there any chance the plane
could stand the explosion?

We got one break,
he's not sitting in an aisle seat.

So first, he'll blow out a hunk
of the fuselage right here.

What kind of structural
damage will that cause?

Luckily, there's nothing
but skin on the sides.

All the control cables
run along here,

so if it's not too big a
hole, she might still fly.

But the sudden decompression
at 30,000 feet

is something you've
got to see to believe.

He'll get sucked out,
won't he?

So will anybody
sitting next to him.

Until the pressure equalizes,
everything within 20 feet of him

that's not nailed down is gonna
get sucked right out that hole.

Is it that powerful?
Are you sure?

(CHUCKLING)

Yeah, I'm sure.

When I was a mechanic
in the air force,

I was being transferred
on a MATS plane.

At 20,000 feet, one of
the windows shattered.

The guy sitting next to it
was about 170 pounds.

He went through
that little space

like a hunk of hamburger
going down a disposal

and right after him,

coats, pillows, blankets,
cups, saucers.

Yeah, I'm sure.

Takes about three
seconds, doesn't it?

Three, four, five. Depends
on the size of the hole.

Everything fogs up just like that.
And then watch out.

At that altitude
you can't breathe,

so unless they get on oxygen
in 45 seconds, it's good-bye.

We'll turn back.

I'm gonna make
a wide, slow turn.

That way the passengers
might not notice.

Toronto Centre,
this is Global Two.

Seem to have
a problem here.

Request clearance back to
Lincoln at a lower altitude.

Roger, Global Two.
Turn left, heading 270.

Descend and maintain
flight level 280.

Are you declaring
an emergency?

Possible emergency. Might
have a disturbed passenger.

There's no mistake.
He's in 23-A.

Fits the description
perfectly.

When did you see him?

When I was boarding
Mrs. Quonsett.

He's sitting
right next to her.

Did you notice
the attache case?

It's on his lap, and
he won't put it down.

Ruth told me that when she
was serving the snacks,

he wouldn't use
the pull-down table.

He insisted on putting his
tray on top of his case.

Sounds as if that's
where he's got it.

Then he must have some kind of
trigger on the outside of the case.

Is anyone sitting on the
other side of the old lady?

A man.

Then I'd have to
lean over two people.

I couldn't surprise
him like that.

Okay if I go back
and take a look?

Yeah. Not too close a look.

He might suspect something.

I'll do one of those smiling
"good evening" walk-throughs

and if anybody catches the fact
that we're turning around,

I'll give them
some double talk.

Toronto Centre, Global Two.
Starting to turn.

We'd like to make
it wide and gradual.

Global Two,
wide turn approved.

We'll alert other sectors
to your problem.

So delay serving dinner.

Put every bottle, cup, glass,
everything else away and lock it up.

Right. Be careful, Vern.

I'll tell the girls
in Tourist.

WOMAN: Good evening.
MAN: Captain.

Captain.

Our son has a question
to ask you.

Schuyler,
here's our captain.

Before, Virgo and Leo
were right there, sir.

Now I'm beginning to see
Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia.

We must be
turning around.

Why, you have
a young navigator here.

I'll tell you, son.

Due to a setsel wind,

DISTOR's vectored us into a
360 tunsus of slower traffic.

Now, we'll maintain
this borton hold

until we get a fortamagnus
clearance from Malnaks.

Oh. Yes, of course.

What did he mean
by that, son?

Never mind, Father.
I'll tell you later.

Enjoying your trip?

Very much. I was just telling
my wife how smooth it is.

A little while ago, I put
my drink on the armrest

and there wasn't even a ripple.
Didn't lose a drop.

Hi, girls.

Slumming, Captain?

We've got some
bumpy weather ahead,

so don't serve
dinner for a while.

- Keep everything in the drawers.
- Okay.

Are you getting
plane-to-ground direct?

DOUG: Affirmative.

They've turned around
and started a slow descent.

What's the frequency?

132.0.

I'm sorry to have
to put this on you,

but if I go back there
a second time

he might get suspicious.

Don't worry.
I think I can handle it.

Excuse me, madam.
May I see your ticket?

My ticket?

That nice young man
at the gate took it.

No, he wouldn't do that.

If it was a round-trip ticket, you'd
still have the return flight coupon.

If it was a one-way, you'd still have
the ticket stub and boarding folder.

You're English,
aren't you?

I knew it the moment
you started to talk.

You make our language
sound so delightful.

My late husband
used to say...

Never mind what he said.
What about your ticket?

I'll certainly look,
my clear, but I'm sure...

Why don't you stop wasting my time, Mrs.
Quonsett.

You are Mrs. Ada Quonsett,
aren't you?

Since you're
aware of who I am,

there's no use
denying it, is there?

If there's some misunderstanding,
perhaps I can help.

There's no
misunderstanding.

Are you traveling
with this lady?

No.

Then it's none of
your business, sir.

This woman is a stowaway.

Are we going
to turn back?

You're not that important.

When we land in Rome, you'll be
handed over to the authorities.

Come with me.

The captain has to
make a report on you.

But first,
he'd like to see you.

Would you let this
lady out, please?

The captain
wants to see me?

He doesn't like to be kept waiting.
Now come on.

There's no need to treat
her like a criminal.

That's exactly what she is.

Imagine shoving
an old lady like that.

I've never seen anything
like it in my whole life.

I can't believe
she's a stowaway.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Mrs. Quonsett, I'm Captain Demerest.
This is Captain Harris.

Would you come forward
as far as you can?

Captain...

GWEN: Please sit down,
Mrs. Quonsett.

I'm sorry to be
a trouble to you

but I was on my
way to New York

to visit my poor
daughter who's...

Then Why'd you
get on this flight?

Because according
to the schedule,

the next flight
back from Rome

is to New York,
and it's your number five.

I thought they'd want
to get rid of me quickly

so they'd put me
on that plane.

Mrs. Quonsett, if you
help us, I promise you

you'll get to take trips
to New York first class.

Thank you.
But how can I help?

Mrs. Quonsett, whatever happened
back there just now, you can forget.

That's not the reason
you were brought here.

Mrs. Quonsett, I hope
I didn't hurt you.

No, not much.

Ma'am, are you
frightened easily?

No.

I get nervous sometimes,
but not as much as I used to.

When you get older, there isn't
a lot left to be frightened of.

Good. All right, now.

You listen very carefully.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Global Two,
this is Toronto Centre.

Your position is 15 miles east
of Kleinburg Intersection.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Say altitude.
ANSON: Level at 280.

Request continued
slow descent.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Roger.
What altitude do you wish?

ANSON:
Request flight level 210.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Roger. Continue slow
descent. Maintain flight level 210.

Mel.

I just talked to the other commissioners
and they all agree with me.

So as not to have any more trouble
with the Meadowood residents

I'm instructing you to shut the
airport down until 7:00 a.m.

Read this.

A dispatch we just sent.

The plane's on
its way back here.

You still want us
to shut down?

Under the circumstances, I...

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Global Two,
Toronto Centre. Continue slow descent.

(PASSENGERS CHATTERING)

DAVIDSON: Whatever she's done,
you don't have to be rough.

GWEN: Please don't interfere.

(PASSENGERS MURMURING)

Ask the captain
to reconsider.

I don't want to be handed
over to the Italian police.

You should've thought of that before.
Get in your seat.

All I ask is to
be sent back.

Please don't hand me over
in a foreign country.

Can't you see
the lady's upset?

I told you to
keep out of this.

Now sit down
and be quiet.

You hurt me.
You hurt me.

Stop it.
You're hysterical.

(SOBBING)

Help me!
Please help me!

No.

MAN: That's his
personal property.

You've got no right
to take that!

(PASSENGERS CLAMORING)

VERNON: Break it up!
DOM: No!

DOM: You stay
where you are!

Don't try to
get any closer.

Guerrero, listen to me.

Do you hear me? Listen.

They know about
you on the ground.

Your insurance is no good.

It's canceled.
It's worthless.

No one has ever gotten away
with a thing like this.

No one has ever
collected a penny.

You won't help your family.
You'll only hurt them.

You'll kill yourself for nothing
if you explode that bomb.

Stay where you are.

Your family will be
hounded and blamed.

Listen to me. Think.

Guerrero, let these people
sit down, and we'll talk.

I promise, until you're ready,
no one will come close.

Sit down.

Guerrero, you know now
that you've failed.

The only way you can help your
family is to give me that case.

Give me the case.

If you do, I promise that no one
on this plane will hurt you.

Grab him.
He's got a bomb!

(PASSENGERS SCREAMING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(ALARM BEEPING)

VERNON: Get on oxygen.

ANSON:
Mayday. Mayday.

ANSON: Trans Global Two. Decompression.
Making emergency descent.

ANSON:
Request one-zero-thousand.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Roger. Descend
and maintain one-zero-thousand.

Report your intentions
when ready.

Global Two,
Toronto Centre.

ANSON: We're level at one-zero-thousand.
Returning to heading 270.

We have damage due to explosion.
Extent unknown.

VERNON: Turn on all
the heat you've got.

VERNON: Can we
maintain control?

The rudder's heavy and the
stabilizer trim won't respond

but at least the tail
didn't fall off.

Where'd he pull
the trigger?

Starboard can.

Go back and check the damage
and report by inter-phone.

According to the manifest,
there's three doctors aboard.

Let's hope
they're not dentists.

They're probably
pitching in already.

Get anybody else
that can help.

And find out about Gwen.

WOMAN: I'm so cold.
I'm terribly cold.

Put him on the walker.
I'm gonna cut off the oxygen.

- All right.
- You all can breathe normally.

Take off your masks
and fasten your seat belts.

- Here you go. Please.
- You can breathe normally.

You can take off the mask.
Fasten your seat belt.

SERGEANT: Anything
I can do to help?

Yeah. Come on, Sergeant.

SALLY: Are you
all right there?

WOMAN: Can we get a blanket?

JORDAN: Fasten
your seat belt.

Stewardess, if there's any
brandy on board, pass it out.

SISTER: Pardon me. Doctor?

DOCTOR: Yes, Sister?

Press that hard.

SISTER: May we
have a blanket?

DOCTOR: Are
you all right?

- May I help you?
- No, I'm all right, thank you.

Take care of that
man behind me.

How is her pulse, Sister?

Weak.

I have adrenalin and
syringes in my bag.

Will you prepare a shot?

Will it hold?

Yeah, as soon as I get this
blanket wedged in here.

(CEILING CREAKING)

Joan.

As soon as they're patched
up, move them all forward.

Stow the center armrests.

Put four people
in three seats.

Right.

Go ahead.

The hole is about
three to four feet.

What about control surfaces?
Can you see anything?

Possible damage
to rudder power.

And it looks like we
have stabilizer problems.

Most of the blast, thank
God, went sideways.

Can we stay in
the air an hour?

Hard to tell. There's
a tear in the ceiling

from the top of the hole all
the way over to the port side.

Think there's a rupture
in the outer skin?

I don't know.
Could be.

What about the passengers?

(SIGHS)

I can't say
anything definite yet.

I checked the
structural damage first.

What I did see was
less than I expected.

Some cuts and bruises
and shock and puking.

Medical help good.

I'm going to cut off
the passenger oxygen.

How's Gwen?

Pretty bad shape. The
doctor's working on her.

I'll report when I can.

Sounds like the break is
just this side of the tail.

Better set down as fast
as we can, if we can.

Right.

Toronto Centre, Global Two.
Have structural damage.

Would like to land
nearest available airport.

Global Two,
Toronto Centre.

Everything east of Lincoln
on your course is closed

due to weather
or field conditions.

However, if you are declaring
an emergency, Detroit possible.

They report five inches of snow over
ice but they will try to clear.

Request Detroit stand by in case
of any change in condition.

We'll try for Lincoln.

Roger, Global Two.
You are leaving my area.

Contact Cleveland Center,
117.5. Good luck.

Roger, Toronto.

Cleveland Center, Global
Two on your frequency.

Global Two, this is Cleveland
Center radar contact.

Turn right, heading 280.
Maintain one-zero-thousand.

Lincoln weather,
sky obscured,

visibility one mile
in blowing snow.

Runway two-niner still closed.

But we have control damage which makes
landing on two-niner imperative.

Repeat imperative.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER:
Roger, Global Two.

We'll relay your
condition and request.

Keep monitoring, Bert.
I'll be in Mobile One.

Any change, call me.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Global Two,
this is Cleveland Center.

All eyeglasses off.

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

Take off your eyeglasses and return
your seats to their upright position.

Take off your eyeglasses and return
your seats to their upright position.

What's more, the captain deliberately
struck me across the face.

Unless you shut up, the second officer
is going to do exactly the same thing.

Is there anything
I can do to help?

Yes, Father. I'm putting
you in charge of praying.

If that's an order, you're about
30 minutes too late, son.

Ladies and gentlemen,
this is Captain Demerest.

I want to thank you for moving
forward in such an orderly manner.

It'll be a little warmer
for you this way,

and it'll help us in controlling
the plane during landing.

You know we've all had
trouble, bad trouble.

I won't attempt
to minimize it.

But we've all gone
through an experience

that none of us
has ever had before.

And thank God
we have come through.

We have the airplane
under control.

We estimate landing
in about 25 minutes.

I won't try to kid you. We still
have a few problems ahead of us.

There are two thoughts
that should comfort you.

First, you're in one of the best
constructed planes that there is.

Second, tonight, instead
of one experienced captain

you have two,
Captain Harris and myself.

Between us, we have
more flying years

than we sometimes
like to think about.

I'm gonna give you something for the
pain, but don't move your head.

Later on, Second
Officer Jordan

will give you instructions
on landing procedure.

Please do exactly
as he says

and I promise you we'll all come through
this together safely. Thank you.

Global Two,
Cleveland Center.

Lincoln advises runway
two-niner still closed.

They are attempting to clear, but
failing that, plan landing on two-two.

Roget

Want me to take
over for a while?

Yeah, thanks.

(SIREN WAILING)

Ground, Mobile One.

Yes, Mel.

Tell the chief to take a position
between runway two-niner and two-two,

so they can move
either way.

We'll notify
which runway later.

DOUG: Roger.

Turn left,
heading 205.

At pilot's discretion,
descend and maintain 6,000.

Report when leaving
one-zero-thousand.

Global Two, turning left,
heading 205.

Leaving one-zero-
thousand now.

Mr. Jordan said you wanted
to see me again, Captain.

We radioed ahead, and they'll have
all the equipment you asked for.

Good.
You'd better call again.

See if the airport doctor can have
an ophthalmic surgeon standing by.

For Miss Meighen?

Yes.

Besides the other
injuries I mentioned,

I'm afraid her right
eye has splinters.

Whether they're wood or metal,
I have no way of knowing.

Her left eye, as far as
I can tell, is unharmed.

Of course, it's too early
to draw conclusions.

Modern ophthalmic surgery
can do extraordinary things.

- I'd better get back to her.
- Doctor.

Gwen, Miss Meighen...

she's pregnant. Does
that make a difference?

COMPAGNO: I have
no way of knowing.

Her pregnancy can't be
very far advanced.

No, it isn't.

The mother wasn't deprived of oxygen
long enough to do harm to the child.

No one was.

If there are no abdominal
injuries, and she survives

chances are fair to good that the
baby should be born normally.

Global Two leaving 8,000.

Advise Lincoln doctor to have
ophthalmic surgeon available.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER:
Roger. Will notify.

I'll take over now.

Vern, I guess you know how
badly I feel about Gwen.

What's between you two,
that's none of my business.

But if there's anything
I can do as a friend...

You already have.

Mobile One,
Ground Control.

Yes, Doug.
This is Mel.

Cleveland just handed off
Flight Two to Chicago Center.

The transmissions from the aircraft
aren't exactly regulation.

The captain's blowing a fuse.

I'd like to monitor.
What's the frequency?

DOUG: 117.1.

VERNON: We need
answers, not questions.

Are you guys
sleeping down there?

Why aren't we
getting any action?

We need help.

Mobile Two, this is the Chicago
Center watch supervisor.

Please understand
we're doing everything we can.

We're holding other traffic
and giving you priority.

What type of approach
do you wish?

Chicago Supervisor,
listen carefully.

Any approach is no damn good
if it ends on runway two-two.

We need two-niner.

We've got an unserviceable
stabilizer trim,

doubtful rudder control
and structural damage.

If we're brought
in on two-two,

there'll be
a broken airplane...

and a lot of dead people.

So you call Lincoln, mister,
and turn the screws.

Tell that Lincoln airport manager
to get off his penguin butt

and clear that runway.

Snow Desk, Mobile One.

This is Snow Desk.
Go ahead, Mel.

Danny, listen carefully.
Break the conga line.

Send the heavy plows
across to runway two-niner.

They're to head for stuck
airplane and await instructions.

Roget

Conga Leader, Snow Desk.

That's it, on this side. Get it as
close under the wheel as possible.

Give it a whack
on the other side.

Keep monitoring Chicago Center
and Ground Control.

If you hear anything I
should know, honk the horn.

TANYA: All right.

JOE: What's with
the plows?

If you can't move
this plane, they will.

Shove an undamaged airplane
with snowplows?

Mel, are you
out of your mind?

No, but I'm out of runways.

Think of what
this baby costs.

I'm thinking of that
planeload of people.

This runway is the
only hope they've got.

If those snowplows
rip it apart

you'll have chunks of
fuselage all over the runway.

I know, but it's a chance
I've got to take.

Okay.

But you keep those dinky
toys out of my hair

and away from this
airplane for 15 minutes.

Maybe less.
I'll drive it out.

Joe, let's get
one thing straight.

When the tower tells us we're
running out of time, that's it,

there'll be no arguments.

The plows will
move on my order.

(CAR HONKING)

Get everybody and everything out
of the way. We're starting up!

And get me somebody
that's cockpit qualified.

All right, everybody,
we're clearing out.

And Chicago Center expects
to hand over in 12 minutes.

After that, our approach control will
have the flight for eight to 1 O minutes.

They figure
touchdown at 1:28.

That's less time
than we figured.

They also said the choice of
runway will have to be made

no later than five
minutes before landing.

After that, they'll be committed.
They can't turn them.

What'll we do now?

We get out of
the way and wait.

Holding 6,000
on heading 205.

What's the status
on runway two-niner?

No change.
We'll keep you advised.

Roget

DANNY: Mobile One, Snow Desk.

Go ahead, Danny.

DANNY: Equipment in position.

Standing by, ready to move.

Roger, but be clear
about one thing.

If the plows go in, I'll give the order.
No one else.

Right. Better you than me.

They'll do a real hatchet
job on that plane.

Then afterwards, the owners
will do the same to you.

Maybe if the owners were on the
plane, they might agree with me.

DANNY: Roger. Standing by.

DOUG: Mobile One,
Ground Control.

The center estimates hand-off to
Lincoln Approach Control at 1 :07.

This gives you 11 minutes
to make a decision.

I'll need to be kept informed of
exact status of approaching flight.

Can we hold this
frequency clear?

Affirmative.

We've already moved regular
traffic: to another frequency.

Can you also put stuck 707 on
same frequency so I can monitor?

DOUG: Roger.

May I speak
directly to Patroni?

That's okay.

Approach Control,
who's taking the hand-off?

Frank has the east arrivals.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Continental
73, due to emergency,

continue to hold at Joliet.

Maintain 8,000.

The Center will hand off
Global Two in three minutes.

He's all yours. Stick with it. We'll
take everything else off your hands.

I'll give you the runway
as soon as we know.

Right.

Okay, son,
let's get going.

Ready to start.
Pressurize.

(ENGINE ROARING)

Light on number three.

Thirty miles east
of the airport,

contact Lincoln
Approach Control

one-one-eight-point-niner.

Good luck.

Roget

Lincoln Approach,
Global Two.

Global Two, Lincoln
Approach Control.

We're still hoping
for runway two-niner.

We should know
in three to five minutes.

Roger, Lincoln.
Keep us advised.

Global Two, 25 miles
east of outer marker.

Turn right, heading 260.

Begin descent at your
discretion to 2,000.

Hold it, Doug. Don't commit
that flight to runway two-two.

There'll be a change in two-niner's
status any moment now.

DOUG: Roger.

Snow Desk, Mobile One.

DANNY: Go ahead, Mel.

Start the plows.

Roget

Conga Leader,
Snow Desk. Move.

Joe, this is Mel.

There's no more time.
Stop all engines and get out.

Repeat. Stop all engines.

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

Mr. Patroni, she won't
take much more.

Well, anyway,
she's gonna get it.

Joe, the plows are moving.
Shut down and hold on.

Joe Patroni, do you read me?
Acknowledge.

Joe, shut down!

Mr. Patroni, don't you hear?
We have to shut down.

I can't hear a thing.
There's too much noise.

Hold on,
we're going for broke.

The instruction book
said that was impossible.

That's one nice
thing about the 707.

It can do everything
but read.

Light up two-niner.

Obstructing aircraft removed
from runway two-niner.

I'm inspecting for debris.

DOUG: Roger. Standing by.

Runway two-niner
clear and open.

Global Two,
turn right, heading 285.

Runway two-niner is now open.

Roger, Lincoln. You've just
freed the slaves again.

Request P.A.R. approach.

Global Two, roger.

This will be a precision radar
approach to runway two-niner.

Stand by. We'll pick you
up on the other scope.

- How's it handling?
- Real sluggish.

(CRASHING)

- What was that?
- A bump.

Now shut up
and move over.

(PASSENGER
EXCLAIMING IN FRIGHT)

One bounce, we might leave
the whole tail behind.

Get down. Keep your
arms under the pillows.

We're landing at Lincoln.
Get down.

We're gonna crash. We're gonna be killed.
I know we're all gonna...

(WOMAN SOBBING)

Maintain heading 285.

Position, eight miles
from the airport.

Final approach turn in one mile.
Maintain 2,000 feet.

You need not acknowledge
further transmissions.

Global Two, turn right,
heading two-niner-five.

Approaching glide
path in one mile.

You're clear to land
runway two-niner.

Wind 300, degrees 30,
gusting 35.

Now intercepting glide path.
Begin normal rate of descent.

On course.

If no transmissions are received
for five seconds on final

abandon the radar approach and
make straight in ILS approach.

Now six miles from touchdown.
Course and glide path good.

Now drifting left. Turn
further right, heading 305.

Slightly high on glide path.
Adjust your descent.

(PASSENGERS SHOUTING)

MAN: Keep your head down.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER: Passing
five miles from touchdown.

Going through glide path.
Adjust your descent.

Now 100 feet low.
Ease your aircraft up.

Four miles from touchdown.

Turn left, heading 301.
Returning to glide path.

Now on glide path. Check wheels
down and locked. Cleared to land.

Three miles from touchdown.
Course good.

Slightly low on glide path.
Ease it up a little.

Surface wind gusting
to 35 knots.

Two miles from touchdown.
Course good. Glide path good.

Looks okay. Advise when
approach lights in sight.

We've got the lights.

FLIGHT CONTROLLER:
Roger. Good luck.

Checklist complete?

Checklist complete.

I may need your help
with the rudder.

Right.

Right rudder.

(SIRENS WAILING)

Okay with you if Jordan watches
the right side for a minute?

I'll be right back.

Global Two,
welcome home.

Do you need a tow,
or can you taxi?

Global Two, I say again, do you
need a tow, or can you taxi?

We can taxi.

(ALL YELLING)

How is she, Doctor?

I think she's
gonna be all right.

- Can I speak to her?
- Go ahead.

Gwen, it's Vern.

Can you hear me?

If you hear me,
squeeze my hand.

Hold on.

You're gonna be all right.
We're gonna make it.

ANNOUNCER: Please do not
obstruct the tourist step way.

MAN: Open the gate.
Get that down here!

WOMAN 1: Quit shoving!

CINDY: Mel.

They're down.
Everything's fine.

- I was home watching TV...
- I know.

A news agency picked up the mayday
call and flashed it all over.

They're all right.

ANNOUNCER: All passengers will deplane
through the first class jet way.

WOMAN 2: Don't push.
WOMAN 3: I have to get through.

MEL: Will you all stand
back, please? Thank you.

I'd like to get
a statement.

I'll have a statement
for you later.

- You can talk to the captain, too.
TANYA: Stand back.

This is too important, please.

- We need a wheelchair.
- A wheelchair.

I'm Mrs. Demerest.
Is the Captain...

Coming off the
tourist jet way.

Thank you.

MAN: Pardon me.

MEL: Move back.
Let these folks through.

Ned, get these people over.

NED: Step back, please.
Step back.

Those of you who are not
helping, please step back.

NURSE: Please sit
down in this area.

NED: Can we get
through here?

NURSE: It's all over now. Don't cry.
Sit down right here.

Sit down right
in here, please.

We'll notify your families.

Stay in this area.

Judy! Thank God.

MAN 2: Over here.
NURSE: In this area.

MAN 3: Darling!

NURSE: A doctor
will be coming through.

Madam.

I'm sorry,
but that's my coat.

I'm sorry, too.

POLICE OFFICER:
Let's move back, please.

(EXCLAIMING)

WOMAN 4: I just
want to see my father.

INEZ: (SOBBING)
I'm so sorry.

He didn't mean it.

I'm so...

Inez.

I'm Dr. Nash,
the airport physician.

How do you do.
I'm Dr. Compagno.

One of the stewardesses has
splinters in the right eye.

They may
have penetrated.

There's an ambulance waiting.
I'll take her to the hospital.

I have an ophthalmic
surgeon standing by.

Any other complications?

She has a fractured
lower arm.

They'll probably use
a general for that.

Before they decide on
which type of anesthesia

better tell them
that she's pregnant.

Here she comes.

It's all right, Captain.
We'll take care of her.

I'm going to the
hospital with her.

Nice going, sweetheart.

Remind me to send a thank
you note to Mr. Boeing.

Good morning.
First class or economy?

First class.

You know, it was much
more fun the other way.

I'm too keyed up to sleep.
What about some breakfast?

Sounds like a good idea.
Where should we go?

Your apartment.

You've been bragging
about your scrambled eggs.

It's time I found out just
how good they really are.

TECHNICIAN:
Mr. Bakersfeld.

Maintenance just called.

The big snow blower's
got damage.

Mike wants you to take a
look and make a decision,

whether to work overtime
to repair them.

Tell him to take
care of it himself.

TECHNICIAN: Yes, sir.