Get-There-Itis and External Pressures

Get-there-itis (plan-continuation bias) is the powerful, often unconscious drive to complete a flight as planned despite mounting reasons to stop. It is a recurring theme in weather and fuel accidents because it quietly overrides good judgement.

Where the pressure comes from

• A passenger or boss expecting an on-time arrival.
• A non-refundable booking, an event, or "just" wanting to sleep in your own bed.
• Sunk cost — you've already driven to the airport, preflighted and taxied.
• Pride — not wanting to "give up" or look indecisive.

Why it's dangerous

External pressure makes a pilot stretch fuel reserves, push into deteriorating weather, or continue an unstable approach. The bias strengthens the closer you get to the goal — exactly when the remaining risk is highest.

Defending against it

• Set personal minimums and decision points on the ground, when you're objective, and honour them in the air.
• Use a structured framework like PAVE (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures) to name the external pressures explicitly.
• Pre-decide your outs: a turn-back, a divert field, a delay. Having a plan to *not* continue makes stopping easier.
• Remember the antidote to the hazardous attitudes (see the five hazardous attitudes) — and that no trip is worth an accident.

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*Reference and training only — not for navigation. Always consult the current AIM, FAR/AIM, your aircraft’s POH/AFM and a certificated flight instructor.*