Jumpseat with EZS

[Hotel Tango]

it would be hard to argue that anyone legitimately invited to the flight deck by him/her isn't then duly authorised to be there.

Exactly. From personal experience I know that some European carriers still leave it to the Captain's discretion and ultimate responsibility. Since 911 I have never asked to go to the FD but, to my surprise, I have on three occasions been invited to the front office during the cruise and then later also for the landing. These were respectable European carriers including one major. Yes, my ATC I/D was checked but basically they didn't know me from Adam. Additionally in some areas outside Europe/USA/Canada things are still much more relaxed. Not with all, but with quite a number of companies. Again, those companies leave it at the Captain's discretion. I have also witnessed friends/girlfriends/family members gain access quite openly on a few occasions.

For sure, the strictest adherence is by British and North American carriers and worldwide major carriers. But my point is that there are more exceptions than many in the industry care to believe. However, not many, if any, who work for these more "liberal" companies, frequent PPRuNe. And those who might, probably will not particularly wish to advertise the fact.

Bottom line for the O/P: probably zero chance with EZS but you might get lucky elsewhere someday

[Laarbruch72]

I'd disagree Dave. I agree that the Captain does have absolute authority to deny entry (even to those on an "authorised" list), but I'd argue that his authority cannot override his national law. So in effect, he can't "add" to an authorised list, as that list is set by legislation. That's certainly how my company sees it.

it would be hard to argue that anyone legitimately invited to the flight deck by him/her isn't then duly authorised to be there

Not so, the UK SCD lays out in black and white which categories of person can be authorised by a company. As I alluded to earlier, it doesn't include "anyone invited by the Captain".

[Bealzebub]

An airline captain doesn't have absolute authority to permit or deny anything. They are certainly empowered with various authorities, and are likely to be held to account in the exercise of those authorities. The absolute authorities are normally the statutes, orders, rules, legally mandated instructions, and directed procedures on which those authorities are based.

There may arise occasions when a captain has to vary from those mandates, however he would likely be held to account if there wasn't a very good reason for that variance. I can think of a very few situations when a variance to "authorised persons on the flight deck" might fall within such a judgement, however none of them have been alluded to on this thread.

Some countries, and their registered airlines are not subject to statutory or regulatory prohibition in this particular regard. Of those, some have operationally mandated instructions to restrict and prohibit. As to the remainder, given the current global tensions, it is unlikely they would want that information to be published.

[DaveReidUK]

but I'd argue that his authority cannot override his national law.

Agreed. That's why I made a point of saying legitimately invited by the captain, i.e. not ignoring any regulations to the contrary.

[Laarbruch72]

An airline captain doesn't have absolute authority

I'm sorry Bealzebub, that was an inaccurate choice of words on my part, specifically the use of "absolute". Depending on company and country of registration of course he'll likely have authority from his company to deny entry to his flight deck to anyone on the authorised list, should he deem that necessary for reasons of safety, concentration, or anything else he himself deems important.

I think at least we're all agreed that his authority doesn't extend to overriding national law, generally speaking, when it comes to who may be authorised.