Are passengers still able to visit the flight deck on occasion or is it still restricted to staff and crew?
Hello and thank you for submitting your question.
Since 9/11 flight deck visitation is forbidden. It's unfortunate because I really enjoyed meeting the passengers. We are not even allowed to have our spouses or children up for a visit.
Having said that, we sometimes get a passenger saying hello when the flight deck door is opened during our pre-flight checks. But we pilots are very busy at this time so a quick "hello" is as far as we usually go.
Sometimes during the de-planning stage, a quick picture may be taken while you exit the airplane.
That's as far as it goes regarding flight deck visits. That is why I wrote the book,
From the Flight Deck:Plane Talk and Sky Science. Figuratively speaking, it opens the flight deck door again.
All the best, and again, thanks for taking the time to submit your question.
Hello and thank you for submitting your question.
Since 9/11 flight deck visitation is forbidden. It's unfortunate because I really enjoyed meeting the passengers. We are not even allowed to have our spouses or children up for a visit.
Having said that, we sometimes get a passenger saying hello when the flight deck door is opened during our pre-flight checks. But we pilots are very busy at this time so a quick "hello" is as far as we usually go.
Sometimes during the de-planning stage, a quick picture may be taken while you exit the airplane.
That's as far as it goes regarding flight deck visits. That is why I wrote the book,
From the Flight Deck:Plane Talk and Sky Science. Figuratively speaking, it opens the flight deck door again.
All the best, and again, thanks for taking the time to submit your question.
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2 comments:
I am a private pilot today and if I had to look back over my life to find the catalyst for this I would have to thank a Captain just like you for allowing me a flight deck visit. I was about 10 in 1986 travelling as an "UM" on Air Canada when I asked to see the flight deck. The captain welcomed me and after asking what I wanted to be when I grew up offered me the jumpseat for the landing into Calgary!
I remember seeing the Calgary Saddledome as we were on the approach then seeing all the black tire marks on the runway while on final. I don't remember that captain's name but I owe him big time for lighting the aviation fire under me. It's shameful that now all that magic has been reduced to a solid door with a strong lock. We gain "security" but at what cost?
Viennatech. Yes, I miss the days when we had flight deck visitors. Unfortunatley, those days are long gone. It certainly has whittled down the "fun factor" to our job.
Now,even the flight attendants don't visit. It's too much of a hassle.
Glad to hear you are flying as a private pilot. I keep saying I will get checked out in a C-172 to take my family up. My wife, or my family, is not allowed to visit the flight deck either.
Happy Flying.
Captain Doug
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