I well remember doing the dreaded red eye on TAA (B727) and at 0200 this little tacker was driving everyone nuts with his behaviour, including his poor worn out young parents. The flighty out for a leg stretch, picked up the little bloke and brought him up to us, where he was entertained (wearing my hat) with pencils and paper, sharing our tucker, and finally curled up against the Flighty (a father of four) and went to sleep. Peace reigned for another few hours, and the Cabin Manager was able to assure the young parents he was asleep and in safe hands, and for them to get some rest, now days of course the whole crew would be considered phedophiles or a bit suss, (never mind we had 11 kids between us and would rather slit our own throats, than touch a child) the mother would give a press statement "we had no idea he was gone" we would all be DNA tested, called in for tea and bickies, and no doubt get a letter from Gordon and Slater for the stress we caused. The whole thing is nuts, am I glad I flew when I did, you betcha.

I dearly remember my many jumpseat visits pre 9/11 too. Highlights were a decent into Adelaide and then the takeoff seat being offered to me too - the decent into Singapore at night, with parallel runways operating, thunderstorms off to the left and another heavy landing slightly ahead of us on the other runway to the right.

Thanks to all the crews who humoured a 30+ wannabe, it did prompt me to get PPL lessons but, unfortunately I had to abandon those.

The many Bae-146 landings into Paraburdoo, Karratha and returns to Perth made the long days at work very worthwhile too. Thanks guys!

(PS: Friends were always amazed how I 'managed' it. The secret, I told them, was "I just asked politely"). It's such a shame it doesn't happen now.

Simon....

Awesome
 

I would always get into the cockpit via my AOPA card. Give it to the purser, smile and say please, and then get invited. I often took airplane magazines with me, read them, and sent them up to the crew.

I was flying back from Vienna on Lauda in 1999 and as we crossed the coast at Derby went to the cockpit. The captain was an Aussie, 2IC an Austrian. The big 777 cranked over the route I'd flown six months before in a Piper Lance. "Ahh, the GAFA" said the Cap. "GAFA? Vot is dat?" said the 2IC. "It's the great Australian f-all", yelled the Captain. We laughed as we watched the Canning Stock Trail cross under the wing.

The next year I was on Air NZ to LA and sat on the jumpseat as the 2IC told me about the 'Skippies' in charge. Then Ansett fell over, 9/11 happened, and no more cockpit visits.

Its so sad how things have changed since 9/11.

Back in 1982 on an Air New Zealand flight from Sydney to Los Angeles the crew and pilots were happy to give me an in flight tour of the cockpit.

those GPS location in the photo show where we were at the time (29° 23.8'N 134° 31.4'W).

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_VtQWcwrKPuM/SA...Untitled-6.jpg

Great post!!

I'm cabin crew and very much miss the days when I could take all the kids on board, families at a time, up stairs to the deck to see the pilots, who were given postcards, signatures or any other souvenir that was available. The looks on their faces when they entered the deck, especially at night when the lights were illuminated still stays with me. And from a cabin crew point of view it maintained that interaction with passengers which is very lacking now. However, all is not lost. Time permitting on the ground and with willing pilots we are more than happy to take the little ones up. It's not the same for us but they still get a buzz.

This is typical of Qantas crew. In my experience they have always been fantastic. Great job guys, keep it up.

The Great White rat cops a hell of a bucketing from a few disgruntled punters and the media who get wound up by whatever group is seeking rightly or wrongly to advance their current cause.

BUT - there is no better feeling after a time away from home than being greeted at the door of a QF 747 by an Aussie accent, patting the big lady on the flank as you board and stepping back into Australia before you even get home. The Purser may have PMT, but who cares. You are better than half way home. generally the CC react as anyone does. Treat them with the respect they deserve and it will be reciprocated. Treat them like servants, that service is what you will deservedly be lacking.

Middle management are generally the worst. Something to prove and a perceived easy target. NOT!!!:ok:

That and the first Australian landfall on one of her own.

If that doesn't drag a silent personal tear, you are a heathen.

Go QF. You aint perfect, but you will do just fine.

Best all

EWL

Hey EWL, we may not have an Aussie rego but a lot of the Aussie flights are crewed by Aussies................it's our accent you'll hear on the PA's

So fair suck of the sav.:ok:

EWL,

you keep your mitts off my sister! :}

Hey Owen...are you organising all this from CEN ?:}

It still does happen, but I can not say where when or who.... and that is the real shame!:sad:

You know it would be a marketing coup if an airline worked out a way of doing this carefully and quietly. Within 12 months they would actually see a benefit versus their competitors. :oh: Maybe I should sell that idea!

Is she still flying? I haven't seen her for years. Last time I did she didn't qualify as a 'big lady'! :ok:

I had a couple of kids- 9 and 7 I think they were- visit the flight deck at the end of PER-MEL sector on Fathers Day last Sunday. They had lost their dad about 12 months ago and had been struggling a bit that day according to Mum. It was nice to be able to brighten their day a bit and put a smile on their dials- even if for just a short time.

You'll be pleased to know that little princess involved here STILL looks at the photo album of that trip and STILL loves the photos of herself in the left seat with the Captains hat on. I've got one on my office wall and many people comment on "how did you get into the cockpit" They ALL leave with a smile on their faces after I tell them the story/truth!!