Sulu's error...

[Nardpuncher]

If Sulu hadn't forgotten to disengage the inertial dampeners or whatever, then the Enterprise would've arrived at Vulcan the same time as the rest of the Federation ships and likely been destroyed also....since it was only the fact that Nero had the time to read the name of the ship that he delayed his attack, something that he wouldn't have done in the midst of a large battle.
So Sulu saved the ship and possibly the Federation!

 

[Shaper079]

I guess the war can be won for want of a nail as well.

 

[erebus]

heh heh, good thinking.

 

[ockhamsrazor]

Well, I think the Enterprise might just should've been able to compensate for all the older ships since it is supposed to be the most modern ship at the time... also how much time did they lose? like 30 seconds at most...

However, I don't really get then why the Ent got there a bit later...

Seems to be bit of a contradiction.

 

[nx1701g]

Well, I think the Enterprise might just should've been able to compensate for all the older ships since it is supposed to be the most modern ship at the time... also how much time did they lose? like 30 seconds at most...

However, I don't really get then why the Ent got there a bit later...

Seems to be bit of a contradiction.

The Enterprise was the Federation's most modern ship (circa mid 23rd Century), the Narada was a Romulan Starship that was modern by their standards: the late 24th Century.

 

[cubbie]

I agree that Sulu's error saved the Federation and Earth. Even though the delay was only for 30 seconds or so, it was enough for Pike to go to red alert, since there was no comm chatter from Vulcan.

If only he hadn't scratched the hull on Vulcan.

 

[USS Triumphant]

Reflecting on this later, I love the fact that Captain Pike asks him if he released the parking brake, and he says that's not it, and then Spock asks him if he disengaged the external inertial dampeners, and he has to admit that, yes, that was it.

What is an "external inertial dampener"? It's a parking brake!

 

[ockhamsrazor]

Well, I think the Enterprise might just should've been able to compensate for all the older ships since it is supposed to be the most modern ship at the time... also how much time did they lose? like 30 seconds at most...

However, I don't really get then why the Ent got there a bit later...

Seems to be bit of a contradiction.

The Enterprise was the Federation's most modern ship (circa mid 23rd Century), the Narada was a Romulan Starship that was modern by their standards: the late 24th Century.

I know that but since the Enterprise started off alongside other Federation ships and didn't even encounter the Narada at that time I thought it would be obvious I'm talking about mid-23rd century Starfleet standards

 

[erebus]

Reflecting on this later, I love the fact that Captain Pike asks him if he released the parking brake, and he says that's not it, and then Spock asks him if he disengaged the external inertial dampeners, and he has to admit that, yes, that was it.

What is an "external inertial dampener"? It's a parking brake!

 

[Iconian]

Yep, Sulu's screw-up saved the day. Heh.

 

[gastrof]

I still love the fact he had the TMP gear shift to go into warp.

How long has it been since we've seen that handle?

 

[Jeri]

Yeah, I noticed that, too, the moment Kirk said the others had arrived into a trap. Whew, good karma on Sulu's part; a blessing in disguise. Made for a funny scene, too; Pike showed his native good humor.

 

[backstept]

the external inertial dampeners make the ship wet

 

[Cakes488]

If Sulu hadn't forgotten to disengage the inertial dampeners or whatever, then the Enterprise would've arrived at Vulcan the same time as the rest of the Federation ships and likely been destroyed also....since it was only the fact that Nero had the time to read the name of the ship that he delayed his attack, something that he wouldn't have done in the midst of a large battle.
So Sulu saved the ship and possibly the Federation!

This is good thinking but yeah really how much were they delayed? It should of only been seconds really -- I do think that Nero was and would be checking the name of each Federation ship even during a heavy battle ---- which Nero clearly won with ease....that was his mission to find Spock so his top priority would be checking the ships for the Ent name....

 

[T'Bonz]

Bah. It was a dumb scene. This guy is a professional pilot and he neglects something so basic?

It got plenty of laughs, but it was (for me,) thoroughly unbelievable.

 

[USS Triumphant]

Bah. It was a dumb scene. This guy is a professional pilot and he neglects something so basic?

Maybe it was the first time he ever helmed a ship that had just been completed, and the external inertial dampeners are only used for when a ship is going to be "anchored" for a long time due to construction or repairs?

It sounds like a dumb mistake, but it's pretty easy to No Prize your way out of.

 

[Jax]

thoroughly unbelievable.

Yes like Warp Speed, Phasers, Time Travel I thought it was a good joke.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

the external inertial dampeners make the ship wet

Actually, they dampen the inertia, externally.

 

[Vger]

Made for a funny scene, too; Pike showed his native good humor.

Yeah, love the parking brake comment. lol

 

[Corran Horn]

If I remember right, Sulu had a similar incident the first time he took the helm in the book "Enterprise - The First Adventure".