EasyJet: Inside the cockpit
Psychophysiological entity
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Tweet Rob_Benham Famous author. Well, slightly famous.
Age: 81
Posts: 4,905
I think the lad failed a hidden IQ test. He should have opted for a bird with one big tit and one massive buttock, all in the interests of keeping one's options open - while remaining balanced.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Windsor, UK
Age: 32
Posts: 264
I think the scenario was slightly staged or edited for dramatic effect. She was still in the control zone! The weather was poor and that's quite common in NZ. From my experiences learning in NZ I found that:
-the school rigidly enforces the NZ CAA student minima which is obviously more limiting than legal VFR
-the weather can change quickly. It can be a tough country to fly in
-the forecasting isn't always the best (lack of weather stations and varying terrain across both islands can lead to very localised conditions)
All students get signed out with the duty instructor and discuss the weather in detail. The student can cancel at any time but you're encouraged to go if you both agree it's within your limits and legal limits. Each student also has a crosswind limit that's electronically logged which must be taken into account.
I had to return to Hamilton a few times on navs (especially early morning) as the weather around Hamilton was ok but fog was persisting in the valleys (no way of knowing until the first aircraft reported back). There were never any questions asked about why you returned - safety always came first. Likewise, no financial penalties. I got stranded on my QXC as a front moved in a lot quicker than both me and the instructor expected. I'm fairly sure the weather remained legal but the school put me up in a hotel to be safe. Free hours!
Flying in NZ made me a much better pilot than if I'd learnt in Phoenix. I think nearly every student and instructor agrees on that. Like the UK, the downside is that you can have very disrupted weeks where you hardly fly. Your time out there is sufficiently padded so every student completes the flying phase before their booked flight back.
Champ
-the school rigidly enforces the NZ CAA student minima which is obviously more limiting than legal VFR
-the weather can change quickly. It can be a tough country to fly in
-the forecasting isn't always the best (lack of weather stations and varying terrain across both islands can lead to very localised conditions)
All students get signed out with the duty instructor and discuss the weather in detail. The student can cancel at any time but you're encouraged to go if you both agree it's within your limits and legal limits. Each student also has a crosswind limit that's electronically logged which must be taken into account.
I had to return to Hamilton a few times on navs (especially early morning) as the weather around Hamilton was ok but fog was persisting in the valleys (no way of knowing until the first aircraft reported back). There were never any questions asked about why you returned - safety always came first. Likewise, no financial penalties. I got stranded on my QXC as a front moved in a lot quicker than both me and the instructor expected. I'm fairly sure the weather remained legal but the school put me up in a hotel to be safe. Free hours!
Flying in NZ made me a much better pilot than if I'd learnt in Phoenix. I think nearly every student and instructor agrees on that. Like the UK, the downside is that you can have very disrupted weeks where you hardly fly. Your time out there is sufficiently padded so every student completes the flying phase before their booked flight back.
Champ
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Southend-on-sea
Posts: 19
I do agree that while most of us would enjoy a a more technical overview. Most of the viewing public will be watching something else simultaneously on their iPads and twittering about both at the same time. Need a bit of posts drama to keep the attention... It's ashame these fresh faced cadets got caught up in it all before they had the life experience to know any better. That said I heard that some of them felt they had a better chance of getting the job in the first place if they agreed to the filming! 
Before they got into the subject off cc tits Vs arses. Cornelius said he did everything when pf apart from taxing into the gate. Can anyone shed any light on why?

Before they got into the subject off cc tits Vs arses. Cornelius said he did everything when pf apart from taxing into the gate. Can anyone shed any light on why?
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 488
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Age: 46
Posts: 276
I thought it was okay and infinitely more interesting than the usual rubbish about desk agents and baggage handlers, the line training stuff especially was interesting. Massively let down by the last 5 minutes but then it is ITV after all.
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 228
Having just caught up with this program, I think it a good testament to the airline industry. back in the 1990s, most airline copilot recruits were divided equally between ex military, comersicial flight schools and the self improvers with at least 1500 hours and with quite diverse backgrounds such as dentistry, medicine, fire brigade, construction, engineering to name a few. The diverse backgrounds and life experience, I believe that was healthy.
But the fact that we now how a culture, that as long as you can stub up £120k your in!
But my overview and critique is as follows:
(a) Chief Pilot mentioned human factors early, yeah?
(b) While to cadets were doing their take off and landings, cockpit was open with another cadet filming to the landing with a Iphone, that would have been interesting if the aircraft came to sudden stop, both for the jump seat occupant and cadet.
(c) In another clip there are two cadets stand behind the captain, where the fouth jumpseat is, Why what was the Captain thinking off.
(d) During landing and take off, is it not EasyJet's policy to be strapped in.
(e) Oh, the sterile flightdeck, apparently it is just no social conversation below 10,000 ft. I say it goes beyond that, to the extent no TV cameras on the flight deck, cabin door should be secure upon take off and landing, and I see little value beyound a qualified and type approved pilot in the jump seat.
(f) Next gripe, Manchester to Athens, there is no need for the Captain to leave the flight deck to have a chat with Cornelius' mother and sister. Have we not learnt anything from Germanwings.
(g) What was Cornelius thinking of allowing CC to ocuppy the captain's left hand seat, surely this isn't allowed in Easyjet. Surely CC, are trained to occupy the centre or left jumseat, to allow the captain rapid access back to his seat.
(h) Next the inappropriate conversation between Cornelius and CC, regarding he was bums or breast man, how does that reflect on Easyjet and the maturity of Cornelious.
(i) Next, when questioned about what the best thing about the job, answer putting on the uniform, how did this guy get through selection? I forgot he had a cheque.
(j) Onto the young lady from Oxford, that sounds like the start of a Limerick. The documentary stated they did there ab initio in NZ as the airspace is less congested, what rubbish. Surely a CPL cadet should be capable of learning in an environment such as Prestwick, Oxford, Southampton, Exeter.
(k) The emergency medical situation, a PAX with low BP and irregular heart beat, doctor on board, this is a good CRM senario. Ok the doctor can not enter, the flightdeck, but I think the catain should of had the conversation with the doctor on the intercom. If I was the captain, under a duty of care, if a qualified doctor told me to land at the nearest airport, I would have to go with that, I'm covered that way. Then we get into the senario, the captain is looking for a diversion at which he is looking for a diversion to an airport that the copilot can land at, what rubbish, how likely is that the captain will now be incapacitated. Secondly, the copilot should be aware,of the captains only airports, let say Salzberg, Tenerife. HER and SKG their are limitations, but from my experience are wx limitations. As for considerations as to the best medical traetment, all airports are likely to be near a good hospital, what rubbish, how could a captain make such a judgement. In respect of the request for medical treatment, I would have asked for an ambulance and to warn A & E.
(l) Now the solo navigation in NZ. I'm not familiar with their VFR rules in NZ, local met, and miltary operations. But I ask did the instructor and cadet check the weather, or is the weather unpredictable. My next point is the Wx, that looked a really bad situation to put a PPL student in, why not do a 180, descend to MSA, request qdms or radar or D & D if that exists in NZ. The reason i mentioned the military, it is not the best idea to fly 100 ft below the cloud base, if military aircraft descend at random through cloud.
In summery, I have concerns about the MPL and self funded route, do I really want my family and myself to be PAX who have probably never folwn solo aerobatics and spins. Oh no, they get there Airbus upset recovery training. likewise could these cadets actualy fly IFR solo, not a chance. This will all lead to a degradation in flying skills which will have serious implications in the future with pilots faced complicated emergencies.
But the fact that we now how a culture, that as long as you can stub up £120k your in!
But my overview and critique is as follows:
(a) Chief Pilot mentioned human factors early, yeah?
(b) While to cadets were doing their take off and landings, cockpit was open with another cadet filming to the landing with a Iphone, that would have been interesting if the aircraft came to sudden stop, both for the jump seat occupant and cadet.
(c) In another clip there are two cadets stand behind the captain, where the fouth jumpseat is, Why what was the Captain thinking off.
(d) During landing and take off, is it not EasyJet's policy to be strapped in.
(e) Oh, the sterile flightdeck, apparently it is just no social conversation below 10,000 ft. I say it goes beyond that, to the extent no TV cameras on the flight deck, cabin door should be secure upon take off and landing, and I see little value beyound a qualified and type approved pilot in the jump seat.
(f) Next gripe, Manchester to Athens, there is no need for the Captain to leave the flight deck to have a chat with Cornelius' mother and sister. Have we not learnt anything from Germanwings.
(g) What was Cornelius thinking of allowing CC to ocuppy the captain's left hand seat, surely this isn't allowed in Easyjet. Surely CC, are trained to occupy the centre or left jumseat, to allow the captain rapid access back to his seat.
(h) Next the inappropriate conversation between Cornelius and CC, regarding he was bums or breast man, how does that reflect on Easyjet and the maturity of Cornelious.
(i) Next, when questioned about what the best thing about the job, answer putting on the uniform, how did this guy get through selection? I forgot he had a cheque.
(j) Onto the young lady from Oxford, that sounds like the start of a Limerick. The documentary stated they did there ab initio in NZ as the airspace is less congested, what rubbish. Surely a CPL cadet should be capable of learning in an environment such as Prestwick, Oxford, Southampton, Exeter.
(k) The emergency medical situation, a PAX with low BP and irregular heart beat, doctor on board, this is a good CRM senario. Ok the doctor can not enter, the flightdeck, but I think the catain should of had the conversation with the doctor on the intercom. If I was the captain, under a duty of care, if a qualified doctor told me to land at the nearest airport, I would have to go with that, I'm covered that way. Then we get into the senario, the captain is looking for a diversion at which he is looking for a diversion to an airport that the copilot can land at, what rubbish, how likely is that the captain will now be incapacitated. Secondly, the copilot should be aware,of the captains only airports, let say Salzberg, Tenerife. HER and SKG their are limitations, but from my experience are wx limitations. As for considerations as to the best medical traetment, all airports are likely to be near a good hospital, what rubbish, how could a captain make such a judgement. In respect of the request for medical treatment, I would have asked for an ambulance and to warn A & E.
(l) Now the solo navigation in NZ. I'm not familiar with their VFR rules in NZ, local met, and miltary operations. But I ask did the instructor and cadet check the weather, or is the weather unpredictable. My next point is the Wx, that looked a really bad situation to put a PPL student in, why not do a 180, descend to MSA, request qdms or radar or D & D if that exists in NZ. The reason i mentioned the military, it is not the best idea to fly 100 ft below the cloud base, if military aircraft descend at random through cloud.
In summery, I have concerns about the MPL and self funded route, do I really want my family and myself to be PAX who have probably never folwn solo aerobatics and spins. Oh no, they get there Airbus upset recovery training. likewise could these cadets actualy fly IFR solo, not a chance. This will all lead to a degradation in flying skills which will have serious implications in the future with pilots faced complicated emergencies.

Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Ontario
Posts: 0
(b) While to cadets were doing their take off and landings, cockpit was open with another cadet filming to the landing with a Iphone, that would have been interesting if the aircraft came to sudden stop, both for the jump seat occupant and cadet.
(c) In another clip there are two cadets stand behind the captain, where the fouth jumpseat is, Why what was the Captain thinking off.
(d) During landing and take off, is it not EasyJet's policy to be strapped in.
(c) In another clip there are two cadets stand behind the captain, where the fouth jumpseat is, Why what was the Captain thinking off.
(d) During landing and take off, is it not EasyJet's policy to be strapped in.
e) Oh, the sterile flightdeck, apparently it is just no social conversation below 10,000 ft. I say it goes beyond that, to the extent no TV cameras on the flight deck, cabin door should be secure upon take off and landing, and I see little value beyound a qualified and type approved pilot in the jump seat.
(f) Next gripe, Manchester to Athens, there is no need for the Captain to leave the flight deck to have a chat with Cornelius' mother and sister. Have we not learnt anything from Germanwings.
(g) What was Cornelius thinking of allowing CC to ocuppy the captain's left hand seat, surely this isn't allowed in Easyjet. Surely CC, are trained to occupy the centre or left jumseat, to allow the captain rapid access back to his seat.
(k) The emergency medical situation, a PAX with low BP and irregular heart beat, doctor on board, this is a good CRM senario. Ok the doctor can not enter, the flightdeck, but I think the catain should of had the conversation with the doctor on the intercom. If I was the captain, under a duty of care, if a qualified doctor told me to land at the nearest airport, I would have to go with that, I'm covered that way. Then we get into the senario, the captain is looking for a diversion at which he is looking for a diversion to an airport that the copilot can land at, what rubbish, how likely is that the captain will now be incapacitated. Secondly, the copilot should be aware,of the captains only airports, let say Salzberg, Tenerife. HER and SKG their are limitations, but from my experience are wx limitations. As for considerations as to the best medical traetment, all airports are likely to be near a good hospital, what rubbish, how could a captain make such a judgement. In respect of the request for medical treatment, I would have asked for an ambulance and to warn A & E.
As for airport restrictions for the first officer, I think it was played up a little for the camera, especially with the captain incap thought. Don't tell me if the aircraft was on fire and the captain was incap (due to smoke for example), the first officer will take that flaming metal tube an extra 100nm because he isn't "allowed" to land at the nearest available airfield as it's a captain only airfield.
The only awkward moment for me was the bloody mother.
1) She kept banging on about the money. She even asked the captain how long it will take for her to be paid back by her son!
2) The awful attempt at playing the piano.
3) How she called her son a captain (in front of the actual captain haha).
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,914
Why do BA feel that they do not need to operate this policy?
Possibly BA's SOP (whatever it is) might be a result of the fact that, in accordance with the EASA SIB on the subject, they examined "the safety and security risks associated with a flight crew member remaining alone in the flight crew compartment" and resulted in them coming to a conclusion based on the specifics of their operation. That conclusion, and the BA SOP, whatever it is, has been accepted by the regulator..
https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2016-09
Now, back to the TV...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LHR
Posts: 325
But the critical thing is I prefer a good handful and a shapely butt.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 437
Homsap wrote in his critique ...
(
Couldn't agree more with the above. We must not let TV editing for 'human interest' get in the way of real time events must we!
(
a) Chief Pilot mentioned human factors early, yeah?
(b) While to cadets were doing their take off and landings, cockpit was open with another cadet filming to the landing with a Iphone, that would have been interesting if the aircraft came to sudden stop, both for the jump seat occupant and cadet.
(c) In another clip there are two cadets stand behind the captain, where the fouth jumpseat is, Why what was the Captain thinking off.
(d) During landing and take off, is it not EasyJet's policy to be strapped in.
(e) Oh, the sterile flightdeck, apparently it is just no social conversation below 10,000 ft. I say it goes beyond that, to the extent no TV cameras on the flight deck, cabin door should be secure upon take off and landing, and I see little value beyound a qualified and type approved pilot in the jump seat.
(f) Next gripe, Manchester to Athens, there is no need for the Captain to leave the flight deck to have a chat with Cornelius' mother and sister. Have we not learnt anything from Germanwings.
(g) What was Cornelius thinking of allowing CC to ocuppy the captain's left hand seat, surely this isn't allowed in Easyjet. Surely CC, are trained to occupy the centre or left jumseat, to allow the captain rapid access back to his seat.
(h) Next the inappropriate conversation between Cornelius and CC, regarding he was bums or breast man, how does that reflect on Easyjet and the maturity of Cornelious.
(i) Next, when questioned about what the best thing about the job, answer putting on the uniform, how did this guy get through selection? I forgot he had a cheque.
(j) Onto the young lady from Oxford, that sounds like the start of a Limerick. The documentary stated they did there ab initio in NZ as the airspace is less congested, what rubbish. Surely a CPL cadet should be capable of learning in an environment such as Prestwick, Oxford, Southampton, Exeter.
(k) The emergency medical situation, a PAX with low BP and irregular heart beat, doctor on board, this is a good CRM senario. Ok the doctor can not enter, the flightdeck, but I think the catain should of had the conversation with the doctor on the intercom. If I was the captain, under a duty of care, if a qualified doctor told me to land at the nearest airport, I would have to go with that, I'm covered that way. Then we get into the senario, the captain is looking for a diversion at which he is looking for a diversion to an airport that the copilot can land at, what rubbish, how likely is that the captain will now be incapacitated. Secondly, the copilot should be aware,of the captains only airports, let say Salzberg, Tenerife. HER and SKG their are limitations, but from my experience are wx limitations. As for considerations as to the best medical traetment, all airports are likely to be near a good hospital, what rubbish, how could a captain make such a judgement. In respect of the request for medical treatment, I would have asked for an ambulance and to warn A & E.
(b) While to cadets were doing their take off and landings, cockpit was open with another cadet filming to the landing with a Iphone, that would have been interesting if the aircraft came to sudden stop, both for the jump seat occupant and cadet.
(c) In another clip there are two cadets stand behind the captain, where the fouth jumpseat is, Why what was the Captain thinking off.
(d) During landing and take off, is it not EasyJet's policy to be strapped in.
(e) Oh, the sterile flightdeck, apparently it is just no social conversation below 10,000 ft. I say it goes beyond that, to the extent no TV cameras on the flight deck, cabin door should be secure upon take off and landing, and I see little value beyound a qualified and type approved pilot in the jump seat.
(f) Next gripe, Manchester to Athens, there is no need for the Captain to leave the flight deck to have a chat with Cornelius' mother and sister. Have we not learnt anything from Germanwings.
(g) What was Cornelius thinking of allowing CC to ocuppy the captain's left hand seat, surely this isn't allowed in Easyjet. Surely CC, are trained to occupy the centre or left jumseat, to allow the captain rapid access back to his seat.
(h) Next the inappropriate conversation between Cornelius and CC, regarding he was bums or breast man, how does that reflect on Easyjet and the maturity of Cornelious.
(i) Next, when questioned about what the best thing about the job, answer putting on the uniform, how did this guy get through selection? I forgot he had a cheque.
(j) Onto the young lady from Oxford, that sounds like the start of a Limerick. The documentary stated they did there ab initio in NZ as the airspace is less congested, what rubbish. Surely a CPL cadet should be capable of learning in an environment such as Prestwick, Oxford, Southampton, Exeter.
(k) The emergency medical situation, a PAX with low BP and irregular heart beat, doctor on board, this is a good CRM senario. Ok the doctor can not enter, the flightdeck, but I think the catain should of had the conversation with the doctor on the intercom. If I was the captain, under a duty of care, if a qualified doctor told me to land at the nearest airport, I would have to go with that, I'm covered that way. Then we get into the senario, the captain is looking for a diversion at which he is looking for a diversion to an airport that the copilot can land at, what rubbish, how likely is that the captain will now be incapacitated. Secondly, the copilot should be aware,of the captains only airports, let say Salzberg, Tenerife. HER and SKG their are limitations, but from my experience are wx limitations. As for considerations as to the best medical traetment, all airports are likely to be near a good hospital, what rubbish, how could a captain make such a judgement. In respect of the request for medical treatment, I would have asked for an ambulance and to warn A & E.
Paid...Persona Grata
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Between BHX and EMA
Age: 75
Posts: 237
I park the 777 from the RHS on every sector I operate.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,914
Well I think it is disgusting and disrespectful towards the victims (and their memories) of the Germanwings accident.
Just to be clear it was made because over the last couple of years there have been various threads about the EASA SIB (which aims to avoid a repeat of the Germanwings accident), and if you you read the SIB fully you'll see that BA complies.
Last edited by wiggy; 17th Aug 2017 at 08:26.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,914
UniFoxOs
No idea why the Easyjet rules -it is their trainset, fair enough, but FWIW the 777 doesn't just inhabit the wide open spaces....Ours get squeezed into some tight corners, it's pretty darned neat in some Caribbean and African Destinations (it's even b. tight on the blast fence and wing tips at the likes of JFK)...and yes, there's often a jetbridge as well..but where I am if it's the co-pilots sector sector he/she parks it..
bigger airports and terminals with more space turning into the gate

Mmmmm PPruuune!
Join Date: Jul 1998
Location: UK
Posts: 574
Both pilots have full control authority over NWS. The rudder pedals give 9 degrees of travel and both sides have a tiller.
It seems to me that most airports have the guidance system set for the left seat. Some with just lines only have the stop lines on the left as well.
LHS onto stand is policy and prob an insurance thing?
It seems to me that most airports have the guidance system set for the left seat. Some with just lines only have the stop lines on the left as well.
LHS onto stand is policy and prob an insurance thing?
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,385
I noticed at LGW that EJ refuse to use the airbridges claiming that boarding/disembarking is quicker. Don't worry about the pax going up and down stairs with carry on wheelies in rain (also don't worry about pax of limited mobility). They should be made to use airbridges if available.