Towards a Refined Airlock Opening Protocol

Ash. When Dallas and Kane are off the ship, I'm Senior Officer.

I can suggest one rule of thumb. Don't let Lindhelhof write it, or it will come out like this. EVEN IF you have recently seen an infected human (like Holloway) turn into some kind of mutant, and be killed by flamethrower, that is no reason not to immediately open the airlock door when told you've spotted (out of the blue) that there appears to be another away team member outside. You will not check the video camera first, which shows him to be in a bizarre position, nor will you try to contact him by radio, even if he's been missing since the previous day, and weird crap has happened in the meantime. This also fits in with his away team procedures that ignore the fact that all expedition suits have a built in locator beacon, which is identified with a bright yellow icon on the 3D map on the bridge... doesn't require a head count, or check in via radio when the groups split up, or when they are being called back to the ship. And also, for handling rare finds like - the head of a giant extra terrestrial being... ignore the fact that you travelled there in some comfy APC looking vehicle, and even though there's a storm coming, opt to hop on an open quad bike with your boyfriend, and the head just upon the luggage rack.