Getline has been flying commercially for 30 years and was one of the first female airline captains in America. She was the first woman ever to receive a pilot-in-command certification for the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Like many cockpit veterans she's endured the wringer of career setbacks along the way, including six furloughs and the collapse of at least four prior employers.

Unlike yours truly, however, she still earns a paycheck from a major airline. Why then try her hand at writing?

"I already had my forum at FromTheCockpit.com," she explains. "It was so successful I took the idea to USA Today. They published an article about me, with some sample questions and answers, then agreed it would make a great column."

It remains to be seen how adventurous her topics become. For the time being her approach is safe, impartial and flavored in a comfortable, recognizable pilot-speak. She calls herself "Cap'n," for heck's sake.

Would she consider more provocative issues -- salaries, crashes, security or an aero-political melee similar to the Annie Jacobsen affair?

"Not anytime soon, and never political," she maintains. "I hate politics. I don't see myself writing a controversial column, at least not on purpose. Mine is just a place for passengers to go to address their questions directly to an airline pilot."

"The World at My Feet" is Getline's self-published memoir. "I'm promoting it to death," she says, "with TV, radio and signings." The book shares a lifetime of (mis)adventures, including the author's travels through Europe, Israel and Iran.

According to the book's synopsis, Getline once found herself clinging to the wing of her own airplane, 10,000 feet over the Gulf of Alaska. But to really challenge her mettle, I recommend peppering her with the following questions. She might be a salty pro when it comes to stick and rudder, but let's see if she can handle the inevitable torrent of e-mails. Believe me, a year from now she'll be seeing these very questions in her sleep. Might as well test her upfront:

1) Dear Meryl, has anybody ever survived a water landing?

2) Dear Meryl, why are pilots always complaining when they make so much money?

3) Dear Meryl, what if the wings fall off?

4) Dear Meryl, is it true that [insert random, totally implausible scenario here]?

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