Yeah, you make a great point. But of course that would not be nearly as dramatic and as poignant. Who then would be "the Guardian" that "won't ever let go" that wraps up the movie so well?

But you are right. I am not sure of the exact contingency plan in that event, gives me something to look up... but I would at least figure that the pilot would drop some altitude once the crew chief figured the cable might break.