What does this saying mean: "You're flying by the seat of your pants"?

submitted by In-the-clouds from self.news

The phrase "flying by the seat of your pants" originates from aviation history when pilots had to rely on their instincts and physical sensations rather than instruments to fly planes. Before the development of modern flight instruments, pilots had to interpret the movements of the aircraft through their body contact with the seat, hence the expression. It conveys a sense of operating purely on instinct or intuition in a challenging situation.

Or, as followers of Jesus say:

We walk by faith, not by sight.

all 5 comments
sorted by:
top
newinsightfulfun

[–]Bitch-Im-a-cow 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

It would mean that one doesn't have the skill and/or experience to attempt what they are trying to achieve, but they're doing it anyway.

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I think you just described me. My knowledge, wisdom, and power is not sufficient. I rely on God to give me the victory. Thanks for sharing.

[–]Bitch-Im-a-cow 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Hold your horses. You know things. And if I had a question about the Bible, I'd ask you. /u/Jesus discusses the New Testament on rare occasion. Vulptex knows a lot of the, Bible, along with various theories about its authors. I think there's another Bible expert here, but I cannot remeber the username, as he's not been around in a while.

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Hold your horses.

Hmmm.... Now I need to figure out what that phrase means. 

The origin of this expression comes from riding horses or driving horse-drawn carriages, where reins are used to slow and direct the horse. It is often used to advise someone to pause and think before taking action, urging them to be patient or consider their decision carefully before proceeding.

I would be happy to answer any questions if there is a sincere desire for the truth. If I could not answer the question, I hope I would admit so, and pray about it. People that are indifferent to the truth can't handle it.

[–]thomastheglassexpert 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

To my own brain I am a commercial construction man of 45 years and I have run a great many mage-monster machines on jobsites. Some of them huge. Just means to me that dials and buttons be damned I am operating big fuck by feel and not by dials. I can feel the machine talking to me under my butt and she is nice bitch or not. If nice = fine then load set. If a bitch well then. Not good.