ILS27R
30th Apr 2002, 17:16
How different is an airline pilot's job now compared to a pilot back in the 1960's??
twistedenginestarter
30th Apr 2002, 22:54
Just to start the ball rolling:
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planes were more difficult to fly due to lack of engine power and weaker controls
you were better paid relatively speaking
there was more fear and heirarchy on the flightdeck
the skies were quieter
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Hand Solo
30th Apr 2002, 23:48
Well based on recollections from crusty old trainers and mates Dads who flew, in the old days it went something like this.
1) Turn up and load you aircraft with as much fuel as you like.
2) Get airborne when you're ready and fly a difficult, badly designed aircraft for as long as it takes to get to destination.
3) If you're P1 you get to fly, if you're P2 you get to operate flaps and gear. And get beaten and abused.
4) Be waited on hand and foot by subservient and intimidated cabin crew.
Assuming you get there alive, proceed to....
5) Arrive at destination, enjoy a long and raucous layover somewhere exotic.
6) Try to sober up (if you're particularly conscientious) on the crew transport to the airport.
7) See step 1.
Today its more like:
1) Turn up and load as much fuel as the computer says you need.
2) Wait for your slot, join the queue to push back, wait at the hold, then finally...
3) Get airborne and fly a superbly designed aircraft for as long as takes to get where you're going, or til your break comes up.
4) Spend your time in isolation, seperated from human contact by an armoured door.
Assuming you're not hijacked or shoe-bombed, proceed to....
5) Arrive at destination for a minimum rest turnaround (12 hrs after LHR-SIN-SYD are you serious?), drink a maximum of 5 units with your P2 (cabin crew are eating pot noodles in their room).
6) Try to wake up on your crew transport to the airport (only 4 hours sleep and a drunken wedding party in the hotel again)
7) See step 1.
Alternatively, if you want a really detailed account of what flying was like in the 60s then try to get hold of the bimonthly BALPA magazine 'The Log', which is cover to cover nostalgiac stories about the 707's, Tridents and nasty scrapes in fuzzy-wuzzy country.
70's and 80's wern't bad either....started to go rapidly downhill in the early-90's.
Some of the Captains would abuse their co-pilots unmercifully....this was a BAD idea as sometimes....later on that co-pilot became the Chief Pilot. Ugh...not good.