Full Upright and Locked Position
“I fully expect that some day soon I’ll be on a flight where every passenger is reading the same book: Full Upright and Locked Position. It won’t make the plane seem any less cramped, or the pricing or schedule policies any less maddening, or the security any easier to deal with. But Mark Gerchick’s clarity, knowledge, and humor will give everyone a better sense of how American air travel became such a joyless (though safe) ordeal, and what there is ahead.”
—James Fallows, author of China Airborne and national correspondent for The Atlantic
“Intriguing [and] resonant. . . . [A] narrative that is part lifting of theveil and part condemnation of commercial airlines’ loss of soul.”
—Christine Thomas, Miami Herald
“An incredible, plainspoken look into the world of the airline industry. Mark Gerchick’s Full Upright and Locked Position covers everything: the people, the problems, the history, and even the ‘how and why’ of airline ticket pricing. Whether you travel once a year or once a week, this insider’s account will both educate and fascinate you.”
—J. Randolph Babbitt, former administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
“It is a fact-filled look at the industry and one that is full of surprises. For those for whom flying is a regular or occasional part of their lives, this book is well worth reading.”
—Alan Caruba, Bookviews
“Gerchick is juicy on secret details.”
—Katharine Whittemore, Boston Globe
“Gerchick packs a remarkable amount of humor into an informative book.”
—Anne Bendheim, Ashbury Park Press
“[Full Upright and Locked Position] will amuse air travelers who are casually curious about the industry and their own onboard experience.”
—Library Journal
“Mark Gerchick demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of the aviation system: economics, safety, politics, and the passenger experience. His grasp of aviation safety is especially compelling. Any air traveler will find Full Upright and Locked Position lively, interesting, and informative reading.”
—Carol J. Carmody, former vice-chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
“Entertaining and informative. . . . Gerchick is good at uncovering stories which should perhaps be tattooed on the flesh of all politicians to illustrate the law of unintended consequences.”
—Thomas Ovans, Londongrip
“Anyone interested in the topic of aviation regulation and management will find this incorporates statistics and data in a reader-friendly manner as it provides a vivid industry portrait.”
—Midwest Book Review
“[A] lively and informative overview of air travel.”
—Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
“Mark Gerchick provides an authoritative, incredibly insightful, and entertaining account about why the airlines behave the way they do. The traveling public, the airlines, and public policy decision makers should put Full Upright and Locked Position on their ‘must-read’ list.”
—Kenneth Mead, general counsel and EVP, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and former inspector general of the U.S. Department of Transportation
“A thorough disclosure on today’s airlines and the passengers who use them.”
—Kirkus Reviews