Striker (Robert Hays)’s Timeline and Summary
- Ted jumps out of his taxicab at the airport, with his passenger still inside, to pursue his girlfriend Elaine, who's leaving him because he can't take responsibility for his life.
- We learn that Ted's a war veteran who's been unable to readjust to society since returning home.
- Ted purchases a ticket for Elaine's flight, following her on board. His fear of flying and anxiety around planes is shown through background footage of crashing planes.
- Once the plane has taken off, Ted slams anxiety meds and approaches Elaine. Rejected again, he returns to his seat where he launches into a story and accompanying flashback.
- We're shown how Ted first met Elaine in an extended flashback, disco dancing in a bar while Ted, then a military pilot, is on a brief leave before returning to his mission.
- Back in the present, Elaine adamantly reminds our hero that he has to move on and stop living in the past.
- Naturally, this leads to another flashback, this time featuring Ted in a military psychiatric hospital. We see he's been traumatized by this recent mission, in which seven of his men died, including, notably, Lieutenant Zipp.
- In another flashback, we learn that Ted and Elaine served together in the Peace Corps after the war. Reluctant to return home, this experience marks the beginning of Ted's habit of running from responsibility, as well as his "drinking problem."
- As things go haywire aboard the plane, we realize that Ted's the only conscious person aboard with any flying experience; flight attendant Randy brings a bewildered Ted to the cockpit.
- There, Dr. Rumack informs Ted that he's the only hope they have to get the plane back on the ground. Ted's overwhelmed, but agrees to try.
- Ted's contacted from the ground by his old military colleague Rex Kramer, who has been called in to provide instructions for landing the plane.
- Ted anxiously struggles to maintain control of the plane, eventually disengaging the autopilot and starting the landing procedure.
- Crumbling under the pressure, Ted chokes, abandoning the controls. Fortunately, with the help of a rousing pep talk from Dr. Rumack, he finds his confidence.
- Ted makes the decision to take charge, facing his fear and taking responsibility. With Elaine at his side, he begins his descent.
- Though the landing isn't pretty, Ted gets the plane safely on the ground.
- Ted and Elaine kiss on the runway, their love rekindled. It appears that the two will live happily ever after.