Originally Posted by
S.o.S.
Sadly this is the case. However, as we already have a few flight deck stories in this thread, let us have some more! Make this thread a joyous celebration of that time and, if you have any photos from your visits, please post them too. All are welcome!
I'm a bit late to the thread but thought I'd share a few experiences as well. I've been lucky enough to be invited up a bunch of times over the years.
I always used to carry my Private Pilots Licence with me when flying commercially as I found it the most reliable way to be granted travel in the flight-deck jump seat.
A few of my favourites below:
First (airborne) cockpit visit was when I was 12 in the early eighties. It was on a rather battered DC-8 charter from Rome to London Heathrow. Stayed there throughout the cruise. Amazing airliner despite its then age. Little did I know but this would be the last time I would see a three-man (Capt, First Officer, Engineer) crew in a commercial airliner cockpit.
1987 British Midland 737-200 (?) Heathrow to Amsterdam Schiphol. I was a student Pilot at the time (PPL) so no licence but the crew let me sit up front from cruise until arriving at the gate (which took ages - hadn't realised exactly how big Schiphol Airport was).
1999 Gol Boeing 737-400 Sao Paulo - Curitiba. Flying down the eastern coastline of Brazil was an amazing experience. Great friendly crew. Stayed till after landing.
1999 British Airways 747-400 Sao Paulo - London Heathrow. Joined the crew in the cockpit once reaching cruise at FL370 over the Amazon until after the Canary Islands. Amazing night time views of other aircraft ahead and below on similar tracks. Really experienced, enthusiastic and knowledgeable crew - "I learnt alot about flying from them".
Keep them coming please!