In reading the accounts of how the plane crash that killed the Polish President and over 90 other souls, I found it morbidly fascinating how the pilot could apparently receive an indication from the ground that a landing was unsafe but waive off that information the way a pitcher can waive off a catcher's pitch suggestion.

I'm not suggesting train crews always act safely or always follow directions-but there is a structure designed to assure individual judgment is guided and restrained by safety.

Military services like the Polish Air Force have such a structure as well, but that dosn't mean squat if your commander-in-chief is aboard your aircraft, wants to land "right here and right now", and isn't in a mood to accept any other outcome. Granted, that same structure may protect you from possible "consequences" if you do refuse for safety reasons, but it won't keep you from being pressured just the same, and not too many military officers who are not generals or admirals are that willing to tell the leader of their country "no".