Airline Pilot Privelidges.... Too Much / Too Little...?

[davidbrent]

just a speculative post, but something i have considered, when operating out of various different bases....

....not naming any names / places specifically....

Do you think that as an airline pilot, or airline proffessional, you should be entitled to certain, shall we say 'perks' ?... not of monetary value, but just little things that can make your day a little easier.

This is just an example of something i came across, some places are ok with airline crew (operating of course) being allowed to bypass a long queue for passport control, to save time and inconvenience when trying to go about your duty. I personally think this is fair, and should be a proffessional courtesy as it makes everybodies day a bit easier and flow a bit smoother...

Some places however, the ground staff, seem to be a bit resistant to this and seem to make an effort to apprehend Pilots, by making them join a long arduous queue, and making a point of it...

I have come across individuals who, for lack of better terms, like to 'put me in my place'... making me feel im doing wrong by this, where i have the opinion that myself and my fellow proffessionals are courteous and respectful, and deserve a small perk like this in return.

Any thoughts welcome... Just something that was on my mind today


i realise this isn't necessarily a training post, however, as the most active board on the forum, i thought it might be of some interest here.

[Globally Challenged]

I would never dream of trying to skip any kind of line in the UK - everyone is too miserable and jobs-worth.

Most other countries it seems to be acceptable (notably France, Switzerland and Netherlands).

[Bealzebub]

Well it is hardly a "perk" is it?

Crew on duty may be operating at minimum rest intervals and any hold up would simply delay their next flight, in some cases. Crew are also usually subject to different immigration and custom protocols at certain ports of entry, and separate channels are established for that purpose.

If it wasn't like that, then everywhere would be like Washington Dulles!

[davidbrent]

hehe, the 'jobsworth' expression made me giggle a bit. not heard that in years, but it came to mind, when this happened :)

[Piltdown Man]

You may try and stop me from 'jumping' the queue, but you might regret it. If HM Borders don't want to play ball then so be it. And yes I will (and do complain) to their local main man. And any time wasted queuing and complaining will be added to my duty time and that in turn passed on to the local handlers for not making appropriate provision for us to clear immigration after a flight. If that delays my next flight, so be it. But the delayed passengers will be informed as to the reason why and which airport they can use in the future to avoid such delays. With the exception of a couple of knobs in MME (no surprise there - the country's least favourite airport), over the last 15 years each and every HMB officer I have met has been pleasant, courteous and has normally beckoned us to the front of the queue anyway. But I hardly consider that to be a perk.

[L'aviateur]

Shouldn't it be considered a necessity, it's definately not a perk.

[RTO]

Its not a perk to skip the line, however to they waiting pax standing by to stampede the gate it seems so. The point that the operating crew needs to get onboard before they do is a necessity for said stampede to begin.

[40&80]

I always thought it miraculous that crew transport to the airport was always ready and waiting with airport company staff intently looking at their watches and recording our time of arrival.....whilst at the end of a long duty night neither company staff or transport to our hotel could be found when we exited customs.