Why are all you pilots so opposed to smoking on the flight? My understanding is that it used to be very commonplace and that all the airplanes are still designed to be able to handle smoke through their air systems, even if the intent is probably tobacco smoke.

Cannabis popularity has increased dramatically over the last couple decades. Support for legalization has reached over 50% for the first time ever according to reputable nationwide polls. Plus, lots of people are prescribed it by their doctors now.

When flying private is so expensive, and when another perk is that you don't go through normal airport security, I find it hard to believe that there haven't ALWAYS been customers going back decades that saw illicit drug use at altitude as being part of the deal. Yeah, Justin Bieber is easy to hate, but I find it hard to believe that if you're piloting chartered Gulfstreams you haven't been flying around your fair share of passengers doing coke in the aft lav, if not openly at the conference table.

Plus, the idea that the pilots would become intoxicated inhaling secondhand smoke is laughable. Isn't the whole volume of cabin air changed out with fresh air every couple minutes?

I don't know in other countries, but in Italy and probably in all other EASA countries my medical would be suspended for a certain amount of time if I inhaled, even indirectly, cannabis or other drugs, thus not allowing me to fly = no job.

Actually, aircraft systems don't handle smoke that well. Over time, tar builds up in the pressurisation controller which eventually leads to a system failure. Also, the furnishings hang on to the many of the smells and they don't leave. This is why a smoker's car is less valuable than a non-smoker's car in the second hand market.

But the deal is, if you own the plane, it's yours to smoke in. Otherwise, it's part of the deal that you don't unless you have a negotiated as part of the price. After all, who wants to step off an aircraft smelling like they've been sitting in an ashtray? And then we have to consider the Flight Attendant. She should not have to breathe their smoke.

Then there's the behaviour aspect to consider. The FA's are on board to look after you. They are on your side. People with good manners appreciate that. Therefore, the last thing you do is abuse them. That is stepping over the line. Fortunately, the air charter world is so small that this lovely little diva will have charter rates that reflect his behaviour.

However, I don't think we won't have to put up with him for too long. At 19 he's already come off the rails. My money is a on stint or two in jail (he will get a sore bottom, won't he) followed by either a Winehouse or traditional car crash ending. I'll have to get a price on his demise. There would be something satisfying making a few quid on him popping his clogs.

PM

I recall the US Army did a study where they pumped heavy concentrations of second hand marijuana smoke into a closed room. It took about 6 hours of exposure for the subjects to test positive for cannibis.

Next why not let pilots drink a screwdrive an hour and see if it affects BA? Who knows what second hand marijuana does to pilots breathing it?

What if you had an 8hr flight and now are flying a to minimums a nonprecision approach after being at high cabin altitude?

Maybe they don't want to get off the plane stinking like an ashtray? I don't know if you've noticed but smoking has been banned just about anywhere that people who don't smoke are liable to be. Personally I couldn't care less what you smoke, inject or snort. You are an adult (I take it) and it's your decision. But when it comes down to your lifestyle choice affecting me, even if it's just making my clothes stink, then I draw the line at that.

We have very clear rules with alcohol but you can,t drink second hand alcohol.

But you can suffer from the effects of second hand alcohol, namely disruptive passengers, who in a private jet might feel they have a certain right to do as they please.

My way of dealing with drunk/disruptive passengers -

• Raise cabin altitude to 9,500 ft (no alarms /no cabin mask drop),
• Gasper (eyeball air) - off
• Raise cabin temperature to 90f and apologize with something goofy - "the damn cabin control bleed valve is stuck again".

Pax will either soon be sleeping, or will be very quiet in no time.

smoking pot
 

I very close friend had the Rolling Stones on a flight from Miami to LA and when it was noticed that pot smoking was going on, he landed in Houston advising the passengers it was the end of the road.

Pilots having this in their blood is definitely irresponsible and say good buy to insurance when you run off the runway on arrival.

A conversation followed with MJ and the Captain which ended in a very professional apology by MJ and assurances that this activity would no longer take place.

The Captain submitted a plan and they continued to LA. At the end of the flight there was a final apology by MJ for the hassle and appreciation that the captain got them to LA .

Its not how you behave, its how you deal with it when confronted by others for an explanation. That's when you find out their attitude.

I agree he needs jail.

You can imagine all the guys with tattooed foreheads drawing lots in prison to 'share' his cell, if only for his inaugural performance! Might even make it to YouTube.

He's got a world of grief coming, but I agree with the cynic above that states it'll be when the income stream dries up . . .

There are times I thank my lucky stars I don't fly corporate. This is one of them.

Umm...this type of flying is not "corporate". This would be "charter". There's quite a difference.

Lumping all biz-jets into one category is a bit ignorant.

Thanks for missing my point. By a mile.

You're right, it was very commonplace and still is in some countries. TWA crews commonly would light up in the cockpit and invite the flight attendants and jumpseaters in for smoke breaks right up until the end. Especially on those long haul 747 flights. If they can get away with it it's up to the captain to allow it or not.

I've often been sitting in first or business up front and can tell when they're lighting up in the cockpit. I'm not a smoker so maybe I'm more sensitive to it. A lot of crews still do it.

As for smoking in a chartered aircraft. If the owner doesn't want it it's because he doesn't want his plane smelling badly. It's very hard to get the smell out of an interior. An airline cockpit is not such a big deal because it's less likely to have so much plush carpeting and upholstery (not counting Airbus).

I'm not sure what your point was...I'm guessing you have never had a good corporate flying job because if you had you wouldn't be saying that.

Blanket statements like that are always going to invite some backlash.

A lot of good corporate flying jobs also do occasional charters to offset the costs for the owners, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Even the worst charter jobs (which some guys are forced to take between the good jobs) are very rewarding in many ways and are usually still better than the worst airline jobs.

There is no sure thing in this business, some pilots have had a lot more luck in their career than others. There is much that is out of our control.

Off topic but that calculation almost never add up for the aircraft owner. It only adds up for the operator that makes money on selling a charter trip on an aircraft that's not theirs.

CP

Never had a corporate flying job period, don't think I'd be well-suited for one, my buttkissing skills are sorely lacking.

As for backlash, hell..., 'round these parts you can say the sky is blue and there'll still be backlash, so....

True, unless they own the charter company. Charter companies are mostly crooks anyway so of course their business model is robbing aircraft owners.

To the other poster....no one wants a tool for a pilot anyway....stick to the airlines. Why would you even be browsing this section anyway?

Ignore the troll, gentleman. It's better off he's a regional gear monkey and not in BizAv. His type wouldn't make it due to attitude problems in this sector.