One struck me in particular.  Jeff Edwards wrote "use a checklist".  I wonder if that would work?  There are numerous scenarios where checklists are not advisable or productive.  Most obvious is during an emergency.  The engine quits - or even acts like it's going to and you definitely do not want to be referring to a check list.  You need to be on automatic mode going through the emergency steps you've practiced over and over. 

John,

 

The time to get real familiar with a checklist is on the ground at home-- not in the airplane during an emergency. If you do not have your emergency checklists memorized (immediate action items, then you are toast in an emergency)  Do the items, then refer to the checklist to ensure you have done them. Low altitude emergencies, obviously, like David Hickman's, will not leave you any time to refer to a checklist. However, good practices, should be the order of the day. Not checking fuel QUANTITY before takeoff or not turning on pitot heat before takeoff is not wise.

 

SNIP>>Maybe Jeff would but I can't see that happening for many pilots and I would guess that some controllers would take exception to this activity as well. >>

 

John, perhaps, BUT, they didn't pay for the airplane and do not pay the insurance premiums. I just know that if you do not stop the aircraft after clearing the runway and perform the after landing checklist you fail the checkride. FAA says so.

 

As far as automatic mode, I can tell you after giving lots of FAA checkrides, automatic mode varies widely between piltos (grin).

 

Regards,

 

Jeff Edwards