Originally Posted by
Beryllium Erbium
If the Captain, FO or SO hasn't got time to check those pitot covers are off prior to pushback in a more practical manner, then aviation has a problem. And it would appear Brisbane airport has an even bigger problem.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of the typical activities that occur in the cockpit of an airliner during the last 15 minutes or so before pushback:
- The take-off briefing is completed.
- The final load sheet figures are received and the data entered into the Flight Management Computer (FMC).
- The final performance figures are calculated and the data entered into the FMC.
- The refuelling is completed, along with the associated paperwork.
- The ATC clearance is obtained. At many airports around the world, that clearance is not received until about five minutes before pushback. A change to the expected clearance might well require another calculation of the performance data, data re-entry, updating the FMC with a revised SID and an amended briefing.
- Last minute maintenance activities, including certification of the Aircraft Maintenance Log by the releasing engineer and acceptance by the PIC. That sometimes involves the write-up of a deferred defect by the engineer, requiring the PIC to consult the aircraft's Minimum Equipment List (MEL). The MEL might impose performance restrictions or additional procedures that require amended performance calculations and/or re-briefing.
Most of that activity requires the presence of BOTH pilots for cross-checking and briefing purposes, and it is not unusual for that process to be interrupted on multiple occasions by well-meaning engineers, traffic staff and cabin crew as they provide updates on maintenance, passenger boarding, cargo loading, etc. It is a massive time management exercise that doesn't leave room for a pilot to leave the cockpit. In the majority of cases there are only two pilots on board; a third pilot is normally only required for long-haul flights.
You might like to note that "perving on passengers" isn't featured on that list.