Re: Naturalistic Decision Making

Randy Okray (randyo_at_vcn.com)
Fri, 23 Oct 1998 09:15:07 -0600

I, too, have a non-aviation concern. In my area we have a lot of surface
coal mining. Most of the mines have what they call a 'Left-Hand Traffic
Pattern.' I believe this was implemented to give the driver (who sits on
the left side of the vehicle) a better view of the edge of the road. This
is completely contrary to the 'normal?' United States traffic flow which is
all right-hand traffic. I've often wondered how this affects an individual
after three 12-hour night shifts. How many times do they drive home on the
wrong side of the road?

A personal example of old way/new way. Once in a while I operate a
front-end loader. The forward and reverse control is a lever on the left
side of the steering column. After running this equipment for a day I often
jump into my Ford Pick-up and try to backup with my blinker turning LEFT!
Reversion after only 8 hours!

-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas K. Harrington <TEAMFORMATION_at_CompuServe.COM>
To: INTERNET:crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu <crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu>
Date: Friday, October 16, 1998 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: Naturalistic Decision Making

>
>This may be a rather simplistic analogy, but have you ever driven a rental
>car for a week or more and then gotten back into your own car when you get
>home? Your own car doesn't feel the same. You actually have to get
>reacquainted with how the gears shift and the clutch feels because you have
>become used to the rental car. I notice this every time I return from
>Belgium where I rent a standard shift car for more than a week. I believe,
>as pilots, we actually pay closer attention to what we are doing as we
>shift back and forth between aircraft. We are more conscious of the need
>to be alert.
>
>Doug Harrington (former Navy A-6 pilot)
>