interaction between F/D and C/C
 

Hi
I have a sponosrship interview for pilot coming up and thought it would be a good idea to find out a bit about the cabin crew side of the operation! I was hoping if someone would be kind enough to answer a few questions I have? I was wondering if the interaction between the flight deck and the cabin crew has changed any since 9/11? Is the cabin crew only allowed
access to the cockpit to give the pilots meals with all other communication through a phone link? And is it only the cabin crew manager who liases with the flight deck? I have also heard of something called a sterile flight deck where the pilots are not to be disturbed until
the aircraft is above 10,000 feet unless in an emergency. It might be an american rule or i may have just made that up! Thanks for your patience with my dumb questions and any helpful answers! :)

Stoop sorry I doubt you will get many detailed responses here regarding Flight Deck access protocol (for obvious security reasons) however the one question I can answer for you is that it varies from airline to airline in regards to who liases with the flight deck - most airlines encourage crew to feel free to speak with the flight crew directly in the event of a non-normal situation (if its appropriate).

Hopefully you will not get any detailed responses given todays crazy world. However, from a pilot perspective, there is normally still a good relationship with the crew, although most tends to be on the ground and tends to be dependant on the individuals concerend. Make an effort and you'll be fine. Best of luck with the interview, who you going for?

Please no detailed responses (as already rightly pointed out) about procedures for security reasons.

Thank you! :)

Thanks anyway folks I didnt realise those questions would be a security risk! :* I'll try and ask the cabin crew on the flight to my interview! (CTC)

Cheers

FlyBlue... you are still around! And here I was thinking you had faded into the woodwork... :O You are looking well, as always ;)

communication/access to the flight deck procedure depends on the airline. you mentioned a sterile cockpit i work for a European airline and we do have this procedure you mentioned.

Most of what has been said above is true and as a pilot I encourage very open comunication with all the cabin crew.

Since 9/11 we have had a whole raft of regulations about flight deck access forced on the industry by a goverment department that's only aim is to protect it's self from uninformed scrutiny in the press, these regulations mostly uninformed and having little to do with "real" security have the effect of isolating the flight deck from the cabin crew............ exactly what we don't want to maintain good CRM !

The DfT regulators don't infact give a damm about flight safety/CRM as long as there is not a terrorist inccident they are happy, the problem is that a number of the regulations have a detrimental effect safety on a day to day basis yet a terrorist attack is a very unlikely event.

So the only risk assesment that has been done is terrorist attack vs civil servant's career! not terrorist attack vs flight safety.

AS the captain of the aircraft I always take time to meet all the CC and make sure that they feel that they can talk directly to me if a situation requires it, normaly comunication is via the senior CC member but it is important that any one of the CC feels that they can bypass the chain of command if required.

The locked door in CRM terms is problem that can be minimised by good open communication but if this is not done a real "wall" is put up between the CC and the flight deck, this was very apparent in a French airline that we did some work with.

As the Senior CC member I always appreciate it when the flight crew take the time to introduce themselves to the crew, particularly when there are newer crew onboard - however that said though, in my briefings I always encourage the crew to take the first step and introduce themselves to you guys & gals up front first when the time avails itself... its not always prior to departure as our turnarounds can be incredibly hectic :eek:

Quote:

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you are still around!

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Always been there lurking mate! :)

They're not.

Your modern airliner has a lock on the cockpit door and an interphone for communications between cockpit and cabin. Big deal. Anyone can see (and hear) the hosties talking on the phone if they're standing around waiting to use the bog.

And anyone who tries to walk into the cockpit will discover the lock.

"Security risk"??? Melo-dramatics. :rolleyes:



Maybe what he's really asking about is the other interaction.....:p

Scotty Doo of course its a security risk telling anyone on a public forum at which stages of flight the flight deck door could expect to be opened and for what reason, and who are the ones to go in etc etc

Yes there is a lock - but like all doors, its needs to be opened occasionally

From Little Scotty....Who thinks these questions are not a security risk...

"Is the cabin crew only allowed access to the cockpit to give the pilots meals with all other communication through a phone link?

......And is it only the cabin crew manager who liases with the flight deck?"

No little Scotty there are no security risks and the super heroes on your pyjamas will save us from any problems....

Interaction between Flight crew and Cabin Crew....certain things never change! It was definitely possible for us, the result is a screaming 3 month old tinker who has started throwing his toys out of the pram (moody monkey just like his father!):}

More seriously I doubt that tyhe crew will answer detailed questions about F/D access and communication on your flight, bear in mind it is an extra sensitive issue so do not be disappointed if they do not answer! If you get the job you'll receive appropriate training so do not worry!!:ok:

There is a security risk involved when discussing how and when the flight deck door is opened. Unfortunately, it doesn't take a genius or a mole on the inside to figure out the protocol :(

And it doesn't take a genius to figure out why discussing the details of confidential operating procedures can present an increased security risk but it does require some degree of intelligence, which is well beyond the abilities of some people.. :rolleyes: