Monarch - only one person in the cockpit?

[Espada III]

I was on a Monarch flight last night back to MAN and whilst I was waiting for the front toilet to become free, the captain came out of the cockpit, got a drink and then went back in. I don't recall seeing any other crew member joining the the co-pilot in the cockpit and certainly one did not come out after the captain went in.

Given the causes of the German Wings crash, I was under the impression that there had to be two crew members in the cockpit at any one time??

[BRAKES HOT]

No, it's the same at BA too I believe. It's possible there could have been a 3rd crew member on the jump seat but ultimately it's down to the individual company

[Brigantee]

Have you thought of claiming compensation for the trauma this has clearly caused you ?

[Check Mags On]

Brigantee, brilliant.

[RAT 5]

If you offered to deliver the coffee to the captain you could become, temporarily, via battlefield promotion, a member of the crew and so allowed a cockpit visit. 2 pilots, 1 coffee, 1 unheard of cockpit visit. Win Win. A questionable defence at the subsequent dismissal hearing, but worth a try.

[wiggy]

Given the causes of the German Wings crash, I was under the impression that there had to be two crew members in the cockpit at any one time??

At least you didn't claim there was a blanket "no alone" rule" so I'll spare you the chapter and verse I gave somebody else recently on what the EASA recommendations on the subject actually say....

Hot Brakes Brakes is correct, there's more than one procedure and the procedures that used are agreed between the individual companies and the regulator. As for who does what ..very much :oh:

[Tight Accountant]

I suspect the Captain did a smal risk assessment in his head and reassured himself that the First Officer was of sound mind and body before reaching for a half time tea. Out of the millions of flights that operate globally each year, the incidents of one of the flightcrew going rogue are remarkably rare. I wouldn't be unduly concerned.

[ifonly]

I thought there was one of these in every cockpit for such occasions.;)

http://arpfaff.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/inflating-2.jpg

[Espada III]

I suspect the Captain did a small risk assessment in his head and reassured himself that the First Officer was of sound mind and body before reaching for a half time tea. Out of the millions of flights that operate globally each year, the incidents of one of the flightcrew going rogue are remarkably rare. I wouldn't be unduly concerned.

I wasn't overly concerned. I doubt there was a third person on a jumpseat, given the route I was on (TLV - MAN) and my view of the cockpit as I entered and left the plane. As you say the number of incidents of mass murder whilst the pilot commits suicide are thankfully rare and my query was not one of accusation merely of curiosity. If the blanket ban on single cockpit occupancy is not actually a blanket ban than that's really all I asked to know.

[Espada III]

It is very annoying to get stupid responses to a perfectly reasonable question in the correct part of the forum. I wasn't asking for compensation, I didn't say I was traumatised; I am merely a curious SLF. Why go for the jugular?

It's about time people learnt some respect here. Perhaps take a look at the HonestJohn.co.uk forum to see how civilised people speak to each other.

[NudgingSteel]

I'm not flight crew (just ATC) so can't comment on any individual company policies, not will I step into security stuff. However...

You might be surprised at the number of flights which have crew in the jumpseat. I don't want to sound like a mad stalker(!) but we do sometimes check the aircraft out with binoculars as they taxi past the VCR, and there are very often at least 3 crew on the FD.

I assume it's mostly for line check or training purposes, which would potentially cover any route flown by an airline. I have no idea if uniformed crew ever reposition between bases on the FD, but that's another possible reason, and I'm sure there are many more that I'm not privy to...

[Brigantee]

Airline i used to work for would often have engineers on the flight deck occupying the jump seat for various reasons

[trident3A]

Go easy on Espada III, I thought the whole point of this forum was for non industry folk to ask questions:
If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.
Let's be nice

[wiggy]

.......

You might be surprised at the number of flights which have crew in the jumpseat. I don't want to sound like a mad stalker(!) but we do sometimes check the aircraft out with binoculars as they taxi past the VCR, and there are very often at least 3 crew on the FD..

As you rightly at that can be for a whole load of legit reasons. Couple of examples - on Long Haul if "heavy crew" being carried at least one of those will probably be there and also as long as the cabin is "covered" from a safety POV ( and because of crew compliment that is probably easier on a Long Haul type) then it's not unknown for one or two of cabin crew to be on the flight deck for take-off or landing.