Captain Tammie Jo Shults - Nerves of Steel: How I Followed My Dreams, Earned My Wings, and Faced My Greatest Challenge

PRAISE FOR NERVES OF STEEL

Nerves of Steel is truly one of the most inspiring, beautifully written, and important books of my lifetime. I am an avid reader, but Tammie Jos story resonated with me like no other. She is a champion for not only women but for all who want to be better, stronger, and more loving human beings. Her story and life lessons should be read by everyone. She is a model of faith, ferocity, and femininity. Despite her unique and extraordinary story, Nerves of Steel is so relatableI felt I was by Tammie Jos side marveling and cheering her on through every twist and turn of her life. And what a life she has had. I will tell everyone I know about this book. Must-read should be shouted from the rooftops.

Martha Raddatz, ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent and bestselling author, The Long Road Home

Tammie Jo Shults is one gutsy woman who didnt let the glass ceiling in a mans world keep her from shattering it and pursuing her own dream. As a pilot for almost fifty years, I am inspired and blessed to know her and her family. This riveting story profiles a remarkable lady with a sure destination and nerves of steel.

Franklin Graham, president and CEO, Samaritans Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Captain Tammie Jo Shults is a hometown hero to South Texans. More than that, Tammie Jo is a hero of faith. Her nerves of steel were forged in learning to trust God in all seasonsthrough times of turbulence and periods of testingand to keep Him in the center of her life. In Nerves of Steel, she reminds us that lifes challenges and the choices we make equip us to face anything with confidence and that we dont face them alone.

Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author, How Happiness Happens

Most people know Tammie Jo Shults from her landing of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380. But it was quieter moments that defined herfrom the work ethic she learned growing up on her familys farm to overcoming financial adversity and gender discrimination. In this deeply personal account of her life story, Tammie Jo shows us how the nerves of steel that helped her safely land the damaged aircraft had been forged from lessons learned during seasons of turbulence in her life. Tammie Jo is living proof that the real mark of heroes is not the feats they achieve but their capacity for hope, resiliency, and caring for others. Her story will certainly resonate with women who have had to swim upstream in fields traditionally dominated by men, but the lessons of perseverance she learned along the way will inspire anyone who is facing bumps on the road to achieving their own dreams.

Penny Pennington, managing partner, Edward Jones

Southwest Flight 1380 might have been the first time many of us heard the name Tammie Jo Shults, but it wont be the last. From a life of service to God, her family, and otherswhich includes navigating the rigors of the militaryTammie Jo has continually modeled how hard work and sacrifice become the building blocks of a life well-lived. Dont miss this rich, inspiring story of overcoming challenges that by their nature prepare us for whats ahead. Its proof positive that when we do what God calls us to do, He will provide the nerves of steel we need to do it.

Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

It is not often that one has the opportunity to be a hero and even more seldom does that opportunity come along twice. Tammie Jo Shultss inspirational story is one of service, grit, and humbling endurance in the face of discrimination and visceral danger. Her persistence paved the way for countless pilots to follow, and against all odds her composure saved the lives of 148 people on that Southwest flight. I feel honored to know her and to have read her story and am excited that others get the chance to see what true courage looks like.

Peter Berg, director, producer, writer, and actor

Tammie Jo Shults is a hero in every sense of the word, shown not only through her leadership and skill during the compound emergencies of Southwest Flight 1380 but with all she has accomplished during an incredible career. Tammie Jo is, however, more than a hero: she is a role model to young and old, in her community and across the country. She has an inspiring life story to tell, one that crosses decades of accomplishments while overcoming serious obstaclesultimately leading to triumph in faith, family, and flight. Nerves of Steel gives us the real Tammie Jo and lets us understand what a truly amazing person she is in all aspects of life. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to have flown with Tammie Jo and become close personal friends. Anyone looking for inspiration, courage, and heroics will find them in this book.

Captain Darren Ellisor, Southwest Flight 1380 First Officer

Nerves of Steel

2019 Echo Four Fourteen, LLC

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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Scripture quotation marked TLB is taken from The Living Bible. 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-0-7852-2841-7 (eBook)

Epub Edition August 2019 9780785228417

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019944269

ISBN 978-0-7852-2831-8 (HC)

Printed in the United States of America

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To the brave hearts aboard Flight 1380 and to the

extraordinary team of professionals who supported

us that day, both in the air and on the ground

He who, from zone to zone,

Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,

In the long way that I must tread alone,

Will lead my steps aright.

WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT, TO A WATERFOWL

CONTENTS

N ew Yorks LaGuardia Airport is a bit tricky for airline pilots. LGA, as we call it, can be like quicksandeasy to get stuck in. Fortunately, today is not one of those days, and it looks like my first officer and I are going to escape the LGA trap without any worries. We push back on time, taxi out to runway 31, and are cleared for takeoff before we even get to the end of the runway. Its First Officer Darren Ellisors turn to fly, so I get us lined up and give him the plane. He pushes the throttles up, and were off in a New York minute. The city quickly falls away behind us as we point our nose southwest and settle in for a four-hour flight to Dallas Love Field. What a beautiful day to fly!