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Saw a news story about a #RollerCoaster that got stuck in Wisconsin with riders held upside-down for 3 hours.
Note FD dork doesn't know what "upright position" means.
I also don't think an amusement ride that simply goes in a single circle is a roller coaster. There's no coasting. It's driven through it's entire movement. If it was a coaster, it would've naturally coasted to the bottom and everyone would just get off.
Dim guys using big words because of TV camera. Very Cliff Claven like.
Yes, I'm ridiculing the FD Capt. But I also sympathize. This is why it's oft said that public speaking is the most common "no. 1 fear" for people. Nervous you'll say something dumb, or malaprop like Norm Crosby. You'll be ridiculed. The thought of which makes you even MORE nervous. You remember some silly mis-spoken thing from your past, which you've agonized over for years. This is psyche-crushing.
But there's a lesson in this.
Use plain language. Talk normal. Talk casual. Don't fake it. ...
Here's one I see all the time: there's an event, or meeting, or whatever, at a specific date/time, & the poorly educated sales guy says "Sun, July 9, 8am CST"... because there are people in multiple timezones affected by the message.
100%, the reason he said "CST" is because he's trying to sound precise, trying to sound official. But it's summer. It's that stupid #DaylightTime bullshit. So CST is actually an hour off.
Just say "CT" or "Central" ya twit.
Every time you make an attempt to...
...sound smarter than you think you really are, you're driving the chances WAY up that you'll say something that exposes your ignorance (or outright stupidity).
So the FD Capt. who feels inadequate compared to an airline Capt. uses the "Upright Position" phrase he's heard an airline Capt. say, & thereby exposes both his ignorance & insecurity.
Just say "upside-down". Everyone understands that. #UsePlainLanguage and just talk like a person talking to a person.
I see/hear a LOT of this in #HamRadio, by the way.
Check this out:
https://youtu.be/tx6eUnZjXLU
The use of Ham JARGON, when plain speech would be every bit as effective (if not more-so), is a huge red flag that the person speaking is TERRIFIED they'll be found out to be a dim-wit.
Grow up, speak plainly like you would to a neighbor or cousin. Use radio-specific language lingo only when it improves clarity, e.g. saying "over" @ the end of a transmission on SSB.
@kelvin0mql@mastodon.hams.social @kelvin0mql@mastodon.social @AE4WX omg this is me (the Terrified One). Thank you for saying this, Kevin.
@firefly @kelvin0mql@mastodon.social @AE4WX
Oh yes. The #ImposterSyndrome is real - and it affects more than just one's day-job.
My own early days in #HamRadio were full of much fear and #SelfLoathing with regard to sounding like I wasn't ham-enough.
Of course, this is reinforced by on-air ridicule from old white men with small penises and huge egos.
Luckily, I did find some very nice folks... and they were the ones who spoke plainly (& kindly). Generous with their knowledge & in-person assistance.
@kelvin0mql@mastodon.hams.social @kelvin0mql@mastodon.social @AE4WX i need to find people like you! I see a lot of kind and welcoming him radio users here in my Mastadon feed. I suspect they would be willing to adopt less verbiage/lingo to help the newbies along.
Meanwhile, I continue to practice timidly private before I attempt to make a contact! 
@firefly
Well, Firefly, please allow me to give you a little encouragement. I looked at your profile pic, & from that inferred that your voice might sound female. In my experience on air, female voices attract a LOT of grace & welcoming from the ol' dudes. They're just ITCHING to say hello & welcome you into the hobby. (They're just about sick & tired of talking to other old codgers.)
If I may ask, have you a license yet? What class?
@kelvin0mql my husband also said that I’d have a friendlier welcome as a female (hoping that’s not a scary thing!). Yes! I’m a technician and my license# is in my bio. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
You've likely heard this before; I found it to be true that the gentlest route to getting over #MicFright is to check into a local net. The Net Control op is in that position because they WANT to get a brief hello from as many people as practical, & new check-ins are coveted. They won't want a lot from you, usually. So the bar is pretty low. Pretty much everyone involved will be very happy you popped in to say hi.
All else is easier after you've gotten a couple of those done.
73!