Understand all the rules and the answers - BUT isn't it ludicrous!
Before 9/11 I was fortunate enough to spend many hours in the J/S (thanx to all those skippers on bmi/ba who let me in!) on the simple strength of my PPL and a curteous request - managing not to hijack a single aircraft in over 4 years!
I firmly believe that besides the sheer pleasure and change from boredom of sitting in the cabin this actually ENHANCED air safety - you learn something even when only watching and listening to the r/t - one day this may pay off in the hold at the LPL in IMC only 1000' away from a 737.
Why is it that I'm now trusted to fly close on 6 tonnes, packed with whatever cargo I fancy, aimed at anything I like and yet am not trusted to sit in a jump seat. I realise that most pilots would agree (I have asked a lot of them) but if you are reading this and you work for the legal dept of the CAA please explain why the PPL is not vetted and allowed onto flight decks in the interest of air safety!
