Asleep in his Orlando hotel room bed with a naked woman, an alarm wakes them, and then Whip’s phone rings. His ex-wife is on the phone wanting money but Whip sees last night’s unfinished beer on the bedside cabinet, and finishes that before talking to her. Feeling lightheaded from drinking the night before, Whip snorts a waiting line of cocaine to wake up and get to his 9:00am flight, with Katerina Marquez (Trina) who is a flight attendant on that same flight.
Onboard SouthJet Air Flight 227 to Atlanta, Captain Whip Whitaker asks friend and flight attendant Margaret for coffee and aspirin, and breathes in oxygen from the captain’s emergency oxygen mask. His co-pilot Ken Evans notices that Whip isn’t looking great, and asks how he is feeling today. Whip brushes the hangover and drugs off as tiredness, and they continue to prepare for departure.
Shortly after take off, the flight experiences severe turbulence. Whip insists on manually flying without the autopilot and eventually breaks free of the weather and finds blue skies. Whip then hands control over to the Ken, then leaves the cockpit for the forward galley. Whip addresses the passengers from the galley, but as a cover for discretely pouring two single serve vodka bottles in to a bottle of orange juice, then returning to the cockpit to take a nap in his Captain’s seat.
Ken is flying and and sets the aircraft controls getting ready to start their descent, and Whip is jolted awake when the aircraft suffers mechanical failure and enters in to a steep dive. After struggling with the aircraft, dumping fuel and manually overriding the aircraft’s controls, Whip manages to pull out of steep dive by rolling the aircraft inverted. Maintaining a very low altitude, while inverted, they lose power in both engines and roll the aircraft upright in time to make a controlled crash-landing in to an open field just short of the airport. On impact, Whip hits his head and loses consciousness.
Whip awakens in an Atlanta hospital to the news footage of the crash landing. He has a concussion and moderate injuries and is greeted by an old Navy friend, Charlie Anderson, who now represents the pilot union. Whip learns he saved 96 out of 102 on board the flight, with two crew and four passengers deceased. Trina was among the dead and Ken is in a coma.
Whip is visited by friend and drug dealer Harling Mays, who brings him a carton of cigarettes, and a bottle of vodka. Whip refuses the vodka and says he is not drinking any more. Later Whip is awoken by thunder and lightning and leaves his room to sneak a cigarette in a nearby stairwell, where he meets Nicole who is in the hospital after a drug overdose. Whip learns Nicole’s address and says he will come and visit her.
The next morning, Harling picks up Whip from the hospital and takes him to pick up his car from the airport. Whip decides to stay at his late father’s farm since the media are camped outside his condo. When he looks around the farmhouse he sees alcohol stored everywhere. Whip pours all the alcohol he can find down the drain, as well as flushing his marijuana supply down the toilet.
The next morning Whip meets with Charlie and attorney Hugh Lang. They explain that the NTSB had collected blood, hair and skin samples from him for toxicology reports when he was at the hospital. The initial report showed that Whip was drunk, with alcohol in his system at a level of 0.24, and he was high on cocaine. He learns that he could go to prison for up to 12 years.
Whip had thought it wasn’t known he had taken cocaine the morning of the flight, or drunk vodka during the flight. Whip’s reaction to the news is to go to the bar and orders an orange juice and a neat double vodka, drinking just the vodka.
With this worrying news, Whip buys more vodka and beer then visits Nicole. He finds her trying to move out, but the landlord is threatening her, as she owes rent. Whip hits the landlord and gives him some cash to settle the debt. Whip drives Nicole back to the farm with him as she has no where to go, and her car does not run.
Whip continues to drink and becomes intimate with Nicole. Hugh Lang visits the farm and takes Whip to visit the crash site. He tells Whip that he cannot drink as he is under the microscope, so he cannot be seen buying liquor, at a bar or doing drugs. He offers Whip help to stop drinking, but Whip insists he doesn’t need help and he can stop on his own. He also promises that he won’t drink.
Hugh and Charlie meet with the owner of the airline, who learns that Whip is a heavy drinker. Hugh thinks he can get the toxicology report killed, as the testing was done incompetently.
Back at the farm, Whip continues drinking spirits straight from the bottle, and is too drunk to have a conversation with Nicole when she comes home. He falls over empty bottles on the floor and sleeps, where Nicole covers him. The next morning Whip wakes to Nicole outside having breakfast and taking photos of the farm. She says that he was in a pretty bad shape last night, and he admits that he might have had a bit too much to drink. Nicole comments that “a bit’ is an understatement, but Whip replies that he has thrown out the beer and vodka.
Whip attend’s Trina’s funeral where he meets up with his friend and surviving crew member, Margaret. She asks Whip to come to counselling but he says that he can’t, but he will. Whip lies to Margaret and says that he only had two glasses of wine the night before the crash, and asks Margaret to lie to the NTSB that it was just an ordinary day. She knows Whip too well, and does not believe the story about two glasses of wine. Margaret shares that Trina had told her that they hadn’t even been to sleep that night.
Nicole gets a job at a market and has an AA meeting to go to, and invites Whip to come along, to which he agrees. When a speaker asks the meeting if there are any other alcoholics present, Whip doesn’t raise his hand and sits with his arms folded looking uncomfortable. Whip excuses himself and leaves the meeting to visit a bar, where he sees Ken is on the news, and out of the coma, so goes to the hospital to see him.
Whip learns that Ken most likely won’t walk again without a walker and that he will certainly never fly again. Ken tells Whip that the plane was doomed the moment he sat in that cockpit, and that he reeked like gin or something. Although Ken knew that Whip got on the plane still drunk from the night before, he didn’t intend to tell that to the NTSB. Ken believes that the crash was preordained and agrees he is only alive because Whip was flying the plane that day.
Back at the farm, Nicole comes home to find Whip in the barn fixing up an old Cessna 172. He’s been drinking and dreams of leaving to Jamaica in the morning with Nicole to start over. Nicole tells Whip that she is worried about him, and that he needs help and rehab. He retaliates and says horrible things to Nicole. As an excuse, Whip says that he chooses to drink to deal with the problems in his life.
Whip admits to Nicole that he was loaded when the plane crashed and that he may go to jail for the rest of his life. He wants to get out of Atlanta and he wants her to come with him. Nicole is afraid that she will use again if she is with him, but Whip promises to get help, and that if he doesn’t sober up that she can leave.
Early the next morning, Nicole leaves while Whip is still asleep, leaving him a note. When Whip wakes and finds the note he smashes alcohol against the wall. Whip also learns that he needs to meet with Charlie and Hugh, and fixes himself vodka and orange juice for the trip.
Whip learns that his toxicology report has indeed been cancelled. And also that two empty vodka bottles were found in the galley trash from that flight, where crew were the only ones that had access. Whip and Trina were the only crew that had alcohol in their toxicology reports, and Hugh hints that at the NTSB hearing he should put the blame for the vodka bottles on Trina to save himself from jail.
Afterward, Whip returns to the farm but finds that the media have located his hideout. He drives to the home of his ex-wife and son, and finishes his vodka before going inside. His ex-wife asks him if he has been drinking, and wants him to leave. His son tells him he is a drunk and wants him to leave. When he comes out of the house, the media is waiting for him.
Whip stays with Charlie until the NTSB hearing, vowing that he won’t drink. The night before the hearing, and after eight days of not drinking, Charlie and Hugh move Whip to a guarded hotel. The alcohol had been removed from his mini bar, but during the night Whip finds the door to the adjoining room is unlocked, with its fully stocked mini bar. Reaching for vodka, Whip initially resists but ultimately can’t stop himself.
The next morning, Whip doesn’t answer the door, and they discover the room trashed, and Whip passed out drunk. With 45 minutes to the hearing, Hugh and Charlie call Harling for cocaine, hoping to get Whip alert enough to make it through the hearing. After a few hits, Whip is ready to go. When talking about responses for questions about drinking at the hearing, Whip lets them know he doesn’t need any help lying about his drinking, as he has been lying about his drinking his whole life.
At the hearing, the NTSB investigator Ellen Block explains that an improperly maintained elevator assembly jackscrew was the cause of the crash. But she also asks about the days and hours leading up to the accident, and if Whip had consumed any alcohol or drugs that may have impaired his ability to perform his job, which he denied. Whip also denied ever having had a problem with dependency or addiction.
Ellen then reminded Whip that the drink service was cancelled on the flight due to the severe turbulence, and asked if he was aware that investigators had found two empty single serve vodka bottles in the galley trash can. Blood samples were taken within an hour of the accident from all five crew members that had access to the beverage trolley. Toxicology analysis showed three crew had no alcohol in their system, Whip’s blood test had been excluded, and that Trina’s test result came back with a blood alcohol level of 0.17. Ellen went on to ask if Whip was aware of her prior alcohol addiction, and asked Whip if he believed Trina had been drinking on that flight.
Whip pauses, unable to bring himself to blame Trina for his actions. He admits that he was the one that drank the vodka. Whip also admits that he was intoxicated on the days she had asked about leading up to the crash, and that he was drunk on the day of the accident. Whip further admits he is also drunk now at the hearing, because he is an alcoholic. He could have lied one more time and would have gotten away with whatever repercussions he will now face.
13 months later, an imprisoned Whip is talking to a support group of fellow inmates. He has written to the loved ones of the deceased victims’ families, and some have forgiven him. He has also apologized to people that have tried to help him along the way, where he couldn’t or wouldn’t listen; such as his ex-wife and his son. Some will never forgive him, and some will, but he is glad that he is sober, and feels that for the first time in his life he is free.
The movie ends with his son visiting him in prison, where he wants to interview his father for a college admissions essay, entitled “the most fascinating person that I never met”, and he begins with “so, who are you”?, to which Whip replies, “that’s a good question”. https://amzn.to/42eyDr0
High Cost of Living, by Jamey Johnson: This song explores the themes of addiction and the consequences of excessive drinking.
Music Video
Lyrics: High Cost of Living, by Jamey Johnson (2008)
Verse 1 I was just a normal guy, life was just a nine to five With bills and pressure, piled up to the sky She never asked, she knew I’d been, hangin’ with my wilder friends Lookin’ for some other way to fly
Verse 2 And three days straight was no big feat, could get by with no food or sleep And crazy was becomin’ my new norm I’d pass out on the bedroom floor And sleep right through the calm before the storm
Chorus My life was just an old routine, every day the same damn thing I couldn’t even tell I was alive I tell you, the high cost of livin’ Ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high
Verse 3 That Southern Baptist parkin’ lot, was where I’d go to smoke my pot An’ sit there in my pickup truck and pray Starin’ at that giant cross, just reminded me that I was lost And it just never seemed to point the way
Verse 4 As soon as Jesus turned his back, I’d find my way across the tracks Lookin’ just to score, another deal With my back against that damn eightball I didn’t have to think or talk, or feel
Chorus My life was just an old routine, every day the same damn thing I couldn’t even tell I was alive I tell you, the high cost of livin’ Ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high
Verse 5 My whole life went through my head, layin’ in that motel bed Watchin’ as the cops kicked in the door I had a job and a piece of land, my sweet wife was my best friend But I traded that for cocaine and a whore
Verse 6 With my newfound sobriety, I’ve got the time to sit and think Of all the things I had, and threw away This prison is much colder than That one that I was locked up in just yesterday
Chorus My life is just an old routine, every day the same damn thing Hell I can’t even tell if I’m alive I tell you, the high cost of livin’ Ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high
Outro I tell you, the high cost of livin’ It ain’t nothin’ like the cost of livin’ high (Just leave that stuff alone)
Recovery, by James Arthur: This song explores the themes of recovery and the benefits of sobriety.
Music Video
Lyrics: Recovery, by James Arthur (2013)
Verse 1 I don’t want to play this game no more I don’t wanna play it I don’t want to stay ’round here no more I don’t wanna stay here Like rain on a Monday morning Like pain that just keeps on going on Look at all the hate they keep on showing I don’t want to see that Look at all the stones they keep on throwing I don’t want to feel that Like Sun that will keep on burning I used to be so discerning, oh
Chorus In my recovery I’m a soldier at war I have broken down walls I defined I designed My recovery In the sound of the sea In the oceans of me I defined I designed My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery
Verse 2 And I can hear the choirs keep on singing Tell me what they’re saying And I can hear the phone It keeps on ringing I don’t want to answer I know that I used to listen And I know I’ve become dismissive, oh
Chorus In my recovery I’m a soldier at war I have broken down walls I defined I designed My recovery In the sound of the sea In the oceans of me I defined I designed My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery
Bridge In my recovery I’m a soldier at war I have broken down walls I defined I designed My recovery In the sound of the sea In the oceans of me I defined I designed My recovery
Outro Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing Keep soaring Keep song-writing My recovery Keep soaring Keep song-writing
Verse One Breathe it in and breathe it out And pass it on, it’s almost out We’re so creative, so much more We’re high above but on the floor It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side
Verse Two The deeper you stick it in your vein The deeper the thoughts, there’s no more pain I’m in heaven, I’m a god I’m everywhere, I feel so hot It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side I’m not an addict (maybe that’s a lie) (oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Verse Three It’s over now, I’m cold, alone I’m just a person on my own Nothing means a thing to me Oh nothing means a thing to me It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side I’m not an addict, maybe that’s a lie
Verse Four Free me, leave me Watch me as I’m going down, and Free me, see me Look at me, I’m falling and I’m falling It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive, I feel It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive It’s not a habit, it’s cool, I feel alive If you don’t have it you’re on the other side I’m not an addict, maybe that’s a lie
Outro I’m not an addict I’m not an addict I’m not an addict I’m not an addict
Breaking the Habit, by Linkin Park: This song explores the themes of addiction and the struggle to break free from destructive habits.
Music Video
Lyrics: Breaking the Habit, by Linkin Park (2003)
Verse 1 Memories consume like opening the wound I’m picking me apart again You all assume I’m safe here in my room Unless I try to start again
Pre-Chorus I don’t want to be the one the battles always choose ‘Cause inside, I realize that I’m the one confused
Chorus I don’t know what’s worth fighting for or why I have to scream I don’t know why I instigate and say what I don’t mean I don’t know how I got this way, I know it’s not alright So I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit tonight
Verse 2 Clutching my cure, I tightly lock the door I try to catch my breath again I hurt much more than anytime before I had no options left again
Pre-Chorus I don’t want to be the one the battles always choose ‘Cause inside, I realize that I’m the one confused
Chorus I don’t know what’s worth fighting for or why I have to scream I don’t know why I instigate and say what I don’t mean I don’t know how I got this way, I’ll never be alright So I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit tonight
Bridge I’ll paint it on the walls ‘Cause I’m the one at fault I’ll never fight again And this is how it ends
Chorus I don’t know what’s worth fighting for or why I have to scream But now I have some clarity to show you what I mean I don’t know how I got this way, I’ll never be alright So I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit I’m breaking the habit tonight
Sober, by Kelly Clarkson: This song explores the themes of sobriety and the journey towards recovery.
Music Video
Lyrics: Sober, by Kelly Clarkson (2007)
Verse 1 And I don’t know This could break my heart or save me Nothing’s real Until you let go completely
Pre-Chorus 1 So here I go with all my thoughts I’ve been saving So here I go with all my fears Weighing on me
Chorus 1 Three months And I’m still sober Picked all my weeds But kept the flowers But I know It’s never really over
Verse 2 And I don’t know I could crash and burn, but maybe At the end of this road I might catch a glimpse of me
Pre-Chorus 2 So I won’t worry about my timing I wanna get it right No comparing, second guessing No, not this time
Chorus 2 Three months And I’m still breathing Been a long road since those Hands I left my tears in But I know It’s never really over, no
Post-Chorus Oh, ah Oh, ooh-oh
Bridge 1 Three months And I’m still standing here Three months And I’m getting better, yeah Three months And I still am Three months And it’s still harder now
Bridge 2 Three months I’ve been living here without you now Three months Yeah, three months Three months And I’m still breathin’ Three months And I still remember it Three months And I wake up
Outro Three months And I’m still sober Picked all my weeds But kept the flowers
It’s Been a While, by Staind: This song explores the themes of addiction and the struggles of recovery.
Music Video
Lyrics: It’s Been a While, by Staind (2001)
Verse 1 And it’s been awhile Since I could hold my head up high And it’s been awhile Since I first saw you And it’s been awhile Since I could stand on my own two feet again And it’s been awhile Since I could call you
Chorus And everything I can’t remember As fucked up as it all may seem The consequences that are rendered I’ve stretched myself beyond my means
Verse 2 And it’s been awhile Since I could say that I wasn’t addicted And it’s been awhile Since I can say I love myself as well And it’s been awhile Since I’ve gone and fucked things up, just like I always do And it’s been awhile But all that shit seems to disappear when I’m with you
Chorus And everything I can’t remember As fucked up as it all may seem The consequences that I’ve rendered I’ve gone and fucked things up again, again
Bridge Why must I feel this way? Just make this go away Just one more peaceful day
Verse 3 And it’s been awhile Since I could look at myself straight And it’s been awhile since I said I’m sorry And it’s been awhile Since I’ve seen the way the candles light your face And it’s been awhile But I can still remember just the way you taste
Chorus And everything I can’t remember As fucked up as it all may seem to be, I know it’s me I cannot blame this on my father He did the best he could for me
Outro And it’s been awhile Since I could hold my head up high And it’s been awhile Since I said I’m sorry
The More I Drink, by Blake Shelton: This song explores the themes of alcohol abuse and the consequences of excessive drinking.
Music Video
Lyrics: The More I Drink, by Blake Shelton (2007)
Verse 1 He was sittin’ at the bar, sippin’ on a regular Coke We were drinkin’ and smokin’ and makin’ him the butt of our jokes We all said, “Man, what happened to you? Why can’t you just have a few?” He said, “I would if I could, but it’s probably best that I don’t”
Chorus ‘Cause the more I drink, the more I drink Then I’m the world’s greatest lover and a dancin’ machine I get loud, I get proud But it gets worse Well, if I have one, I’ll have thirteen Nah, there ain’t no in-between ‘Cause, the more I drink, mm The more I drink
Verse 2 A couple of cold ones and somebody hands me a shot Hell, even buck-tooth and bow-legged women start lookin’ hot And pretty soon I’m bummin’ cigarettes And sweet-talkin’ some big brunettes Yeah, once I get on a roll There ain’t no tellin’ where I’ll stop
Chorus ‘Cause the more I drink, the more I drink Then I’m the world’s greatest lover and a dancin’ machine I get loud, I get proud And it gets worse Yeah, if I have one, I’ll have thirteen Nah, there ain’t no in-between ‘Cause, the more I drink, the more I drink The more I drink, yep, yep
Bridge Mm, that’s what I’m talkin’ about
Outro Man, if I have one, I’ll have thirteen And they can’t get me off the karaoke machine The more I drink The more I drink Yeah, the more I drink, the more I drink The more I drink
Going Through Changes, by Eminem (featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Hailie Jade): This song explores the themes of addiction and the challenges of recovery.
Music Video
Lyrics: Going Through Changes, by Eminem (2010)
Chorus: Ozzy Osbourne I’m going through changes I’m going through changes
Verse 1: Eminem Lately, I really Feel like I’m rollin’ for delf like Philly Feel like I’m losin’ control of myself, I sincerely Apologize if all that I sound like Is I’m complainin’ but life keeps on complicatin’, and I’m debatin’ on leavin’ this world this evenin’ Even my girls can see I’m grievin’, I try and hide it But I can’t, why do I act like I’m all high and mighty When inside I’m dyin’? I am finally realizin’ I need Help, can’t do it myself, too weak Two weeks, I’ve been havin’ ups and downs Goin’ through peaks and valleys Dilly-dallyin’ ’round with the idea Of endin’ this shit right here, I’m hatin’ my reflection I walk around the house tryna fight mirrors I can’t stand what I look like, yeah I look fat, but what do I care? I give a fuck Only thing I fear’s Hailie I’m afraid if I close my eyes That I might see her… Shit
Chorus: Ozzy Osbourne I’m going through changes I’m going through changes
Verse 2: Eminem I lock myself in the bedroom, bathroom, nappin’ at noon Yeah, Dad’s in a bad mood, he’s always snappin’ at you Marshall, what happened that you can’t stop with these pills? And you’ve fallen off with your skills and your own fans are laughin’ at you It become a problem you’re too pussy to tackle? Get up Be a man, stand, a real man woulda had this shit handled Know you just had your heart ripped out and crushed They say Proof just flipped out, homie just whipped out and bust Nah, it ain’t like Doody to do that, he wouldn’t fuckin’ Shoot at nobody, he’d fight first, but dwellin’ On it only makes the night worse, now I’m poppin’ Vics, Percs And Methadone pills, “Yeah, Em, tight verse You killed it!” Fuckin’ drug dealers hang around me like yes men And they gon’ do whatever I says when I says it It’s in their best interest to protect their investment And I just lost my fuckin’ best friend, so fuck it, I guess then—
Chorus: Eminem & Ozzy Osbourne (I’m going through changes) Don’t know what I’m gonna do (I’m going through changes) But I just keep on going through changes
Verse 3: Eminem & Hailie Jade My friends can’t understand this new me, that’s understandable Man, but think how bananas you’d be, you’d be an animal too If you were trapped in this fame and caged in it like a zoo And everybody’s lookin’ at you, what you want me to do? I’m startin’ to live like a recluse And the truth is, fame’s startin’ to give me an excuse To be at an all-time low; I sit alone in my home theater Watchin’ the same damn DVD of the First tour; the last tour, he was still alive And it hurts so I fast forward, sleeping pills’ll make me feel alright And if I’m still awake in the middle of the night I’ll just take a couple more, yeah, you’re motherfuckin’ right I ain’t slowin’ down for no one, I am almost homeward bound Almost in a coma, yeah homie, come on, dole ’em out! “Daddy, don’t you die on me! Daddy, better hold your ground!” Fuck, don’t I know the sound of that voice? Yeah, baby, hold me down (Daddy!)
Chorus: Eminem, Ozzy Osbourne & Hailie Jade (I’m going through changes) (Daddy!) Don’t know what I’m gonna do (I’m going through changes) But I just keep on going through changes
Verse 4: Eminem Wake up in the hospital, full of tubes But somehow I’m pullin’ through Swear when I come back I’ma be bulletproof I’ma do it just for Proof, I think I should state a few Facts, ’cause I may not get a chance again to say the truth Shit, it just hit me that what if I would not’ve made it through? I think about the things I woulda never got to say to you I’d never get to make it right, so here’s what I came to do Hailie, this one is for you, Whitney and Alaina too I still love your mother, that’ll never change Think about her every day We just could never get it together, hey Wish there was a better way for me to say it But I swear on everything, I’d do anything for her on any day There are just too many things to explain When it rains, guess it pours — yes, it does Wish there wasn’t any pain, but I can’t pretend there ain’t I ain’t placin’ any blame I ain’t pointin’ fingers, Heaven knows I never been a saint I know that it feels like we just pissed away our history And just today I looked at your picture, almost if to say I miss you subconsciously, wish it didn’t end this way But I just had to get away, don’t know why, I don’t know what else to say I guess I’m—
Chorus: Eminem & Ozzy Osbourne (I’m going through changes) Don’t know what I’m gonna do (I’m going through changes) But I just keep on going through changes
