Interview Question: Saving the airline money

[Philflies]

I understand this is possibly a current/potential interview question:

What can you as a pilot do to reduce costs for the airline?

Alas, I admit defeat, I really can't think of very much apart from sort your descents and approaches out and save some fuel. What else can a pilot do or even has control over that would save some money (apart from buying your own sandwiches (FR))

Any suggestions welcome

[powerstall]

would it also count... if we're already being paid well below the world average for pilots? :suspect:

but one option would be tankering on fuel if the payload permits. :E

[JB007]

Minimum APU usage
Constant Descent Approaches
Visual Approaches providing it's safe
Single Engine Taxi

[Artie Fufkin]

Awful lot of regular flanel you can come out with at interview that will be no different to anyone else.

My recomendation would be to buy a copy of "Flying Off Course; The Economics of International Airlines " by Rigas Doganis (ISNB 0043870058) that will help you to prep very well for any economic questions. If you read the whole thing, it'll give you a good picture of airline economics and will allow you to discuss the subject with the interviewer rather than produce a rehearsed answer that any half decent interviewer will rip apart.

Its pretty expensive but cheap copies available at abebooks.com

[IrishJetdriver]

All the above are good fuel saving points. Also taxi in on 1 engine as long as you don't have to stop while going uphill. SOP on the 146 was to shut down engines 1 & 4 after landing.

Here's a good one. On the 737 don't extend the retractable lights. Saves approx 10kgs. Multiply by 1000 flights a day for someone like Ryanair. This saves 10,000kgs and fuel costs £600 per 1000kgs. So we saved £6000 today by just turning the lights off! Now for the big numbers.......multiply by 364 (Day off for crimbo).

[Philflies]

Thanks chaps for your info and suggestions. It's an awkward question that I hope to be prepared for one day. Just gotta get an interview!

Artie:
I may well get that book, looks v.interesting on the preview at google.books.

Phil

[potkettleblack]

Often an airline will have an operational waste reporting procedure which we as pilots can actively participate in. Obviously that is a bit after the horse has bolted but it might knock things into line for the future. Things like steps/jetway not being available, no ground power units so the APU is kept on, delays in fuel trucks arriving all add to delays and cost the company money.

From an operational point the guys have covered the main points above. Other things we face almost daily are slots. Generally we will call up and find out where the slot is originating from (home airfield, enroute sector, destination etc). It can be possible to reroute and get rid of the slot altogether thus minimising knock on delays to the rest of the days schedules with very little extra track miles and fuel burn.

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

Lean out the mixtures ;).

I think they have all been covered, just one to add. If you have to leave the APU running switch off the APU bleed.

[tom_ace]

pay for your type rating! :}

[Mr. Brown]

Reduce your Cost Index as much as posible... (when abailable). Ask for "shortcuts" all you can, (without makin´ enemies on towers)... Stay on ground = lose money, so, more time on ground, less money your company earns. I think there is something else, but can´t remember.

Some of them are frequently used by Spanish Pilots as me.

Regards!

[Philflies]

Hey Artie Fufkin,

I got the book and it makes interesting reading (and quite complex reading too!)
What a small world it is though, it turns out my Dad worked with the Author in the 1960's! A good, knowledgable chap by all acounts.

Right, just gotta get an interview now to vent all this knowledge!

Regards

Phil

[SparksFlyHigh]

Get the pilots to serve the drinks and food as well.

[chchflyboy]

oh yip- why dont we just do glide approaches, and when we taxi use the old flinstone technique.
Matt, Flying in a straight line is a good one- just curious, what were the answers you tried giving him?
Plan well and be prepared, less pissing around- more money you save.
I'd rather not take 'shortcuts' to save money, safety is probably more important than money don't you think?

[electriclightfoot]

Get a winch launch to 3000' and then fire up the engines when airborne.

Take off at E.mids and land at Birmingham. Convince your passengers it is their destination (Bahrain) bluffing that we had one hell of a tail wind.

Serve 'Peckham Spring' water instead of Evian.

Fly inverted so all the change falls out of the pax's pockets. Present your haul the CEO of the airline.

Turn off the heating and let the passengers freeze. Then offer to sell them overpriced ski jackets and thermal underwear.

Lastly, when airborne, insist the passengers have to pay an extortionate price for oxygen or you'll cut off the supply and laugh at them as they slowly turn blue.

My two pence worth.....