Pilot Tells Passengers He’s About To Try Something

SAN FRANCISCO—Midway through American Airlines flight 1544’s journey from San Francisco to Dallas Monday, pilot Mark Dams asked passengers to please remain seated and fasten their seat belts for a minute while he tries something real quick. “Attention passengers, bear with me for a moment; I just want to try a little something here,” Dams announced over the plane’s intercom, adding that he “heard about another pilot doing this once” and wants to see if it actually works. “Should only take a few seconds. I just want to see what happens.” At press time, Dams reportedly took a breath and muttered to himself, “Okay, here goes.”