747 flightdeck visits
747 flightdeck visits
Guest
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The amount of money you give to the airline has (fortunately) nothing to do with the kindness of the Captain.
The first contact is with the F/A, so be nice, don't put your fingers in your nose, make sure the person is not really busy with his/her job at that moment (otherwise he/she might forget your request or decide to disregard it because you pissed him/her off). Don't jump on the first F/A you see, that's probably the one who's in charge of directing the Self-Loading Cargo to their seats and he/she has something else to do. Try to locate one who doesn't look too busy and not too young, lock the target, make a big smile and go for it !
I wouldn't tell them you're studying tourism in France, that your family lives in Kenya, that BA cancelled the return coupon on your last flight with them, and that you're convinced someone is following you and wants to kill you, even though that would be a nice and very subtle joke that might make the Captain lough for decades.
:-)
Once in the cockpit, start by briefly introducing yourself. Don't expect anything, and tell yourself that they will kick you out in the next 30 seconds. The more you expect something, the more it shows, the less you might get it. Let them start the conversation, because you don't really know when they have a minute to talk, so they will chose themselves the best moment for them and they will be in a better "mood" to communicate with you.
Mmmmh, that's all I can say... I did that for years and it worked fine.
Good luck, tell us how it worked !
The first contact is with the F/A, so be nice, don't put your fingers in your nose, make sure the person is not really busy with his/her job at that moment (otherwise he/she might forget your request or decide to disregard it because you pissed him/her off). Don't jump on the first F/A you see, that's probably the one who's in charge of directing the Self-Loading Cargo to their seats and he/she has something else to do. Try to locate one who doesn't look too busy and not too young, lock the target, make a big smile and go for it !
I wouldn't tell them you're studying tourism in France, that your family lives in Kenya, that BA cancelled the return coupon on your last flight with them, and that you're convinced someone is following you and wants to kill you, even though that would be a nice and very subtle joke that might make the Captain lough for decades.
:-)
Once in the cockpit, start by briefly introducing yourself. Don't expect anything, and tell yourself that they will kick you out in the next 30 seconds. The more you expect something, the more it shows, the less you might get it. Let them start the conversation, because you don't really know when they have a minute to talk, so they will chose themselves the best moment for them and they will be in a better "mood" to communicate with you.
Mmmmh, that's all I can say... I did that for years and it worked fine.
Good luck, tell us how it worked !
Guest
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Came back from Orlando last year with Virgin and they couln't have been more friendly.
My examiner in Florida (I'd just done my PPL) gave me these tips for getting up to the flightdeck for my return journey:
I got the name of the Captain from the girl who checked me in. Whilst waiting to board I wrote him a quick note explaining why I'd been in Florida and that eventually I was hoping to become a commercial pilot and would be very grateful if I could come up and visit him sometime during the flight.
I made sure that I was first to board and as I got on I handed the note to one of the cabin crew (the most responsible and reliable looking one!) and asked him to pass it on to the Captain.
10 minutes later he came back and handed me my note with, as well as a correction of the spelling of his name, a note from the captain saying "come up straight away".
I ended up getting the jump seat for take off and landing, and he couldn't have been more friendly, giving me a running commentary of everything that was going on, whenever he wasn't too busy that is.
This approach worked for me, I hope it does for you - it's well worth it!!!
My examiner in Florida (I'd just done my PPL) gave me these tips for getting up to the flightdeck for my return journey:
I got the name of the Captain from the girl who checked me in. Whilst waiting to board I wrote him a quick note explaining why I'd been in Florida and that eventually I was hoping to become a commercial pilot and would be very grateful if I could come up and visit him sometime during the flight.
I made sure that I was first to board and as I got on I handed the note to one of the cabin crew (the most responsible and reliable looking one!) and asked him to pass it on to the Captain.
10 minutes later he came back and handed me my note with, as well as a correction of the spelling of his name, a note from the captain saying "come up straight away".
I ended up getting the jump seat for take off and landing, and he couldn't have been more friendly, giving me a running commentary of everything that was going on, whenever he wasn't too busy that is.
This approach worked for me, I hope it does for you - it's well worth it!!!
Guest
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Smart move, Billy M ! 
Day Dreamer, I cannot recomment you enough to invest some money in the March issue of the "Airways" magazine. There's a 7-pages article on the Virgin 744 operation (description of a EWR-LHR flight). Read it, and if you have any question, put them on paper and keep them for the Captain of your flight !
Day Dreamer, I cannot recomment you enough to invest some money in the March issue of the "Airways" magazine. There's a 7-pages article on the Virgin 744 operation (description of a EWR-LHR flight). Read it, and if you have any question, put them on paper and keep them for the Captain of your flight !
Guest
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All posts relate to flights heading west of the UK.
Well, last winter I took one heading east: LHR to New Delhi. Air India (747-400), the crew where fantastic spent a large amount of time up top. Spoke to the cabin crew during the boarding phase. I picked one who wasn't busy and just spoke verbally. I took along my log book -but it wasn't neccessary in the end.
It really made my 8 hour trip worth it!
Well, last winter I took one heading east: LHR to New Delhi. Air India (747-400), the crew where fantastic spent a large amount of time up top. Spoke to the cabin crew during the boarding phase. I picked one who wasn't busy and just spoke verbally. I took along my log book -but it wasn't neccessary in the end.
It really made my 8 hour trip worth it!
Guest
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Flying_Steph,
I wouldn't go on a LGW-MCO with Virgin all ready with lots of B747-400 questions, because our man will be on a Classic! Us Classic drivers aren't that happy to be asked why we haven't got lots of TV screens, and why we occasionally have to fly the aeroplane manually!
Seriously, there's some good advice above. If you can collar the IFS (female - black blouse; male - grey shirt) you will get the most direct CC route to the captain. Be nice, explain your interest, and you might be lucky!
I wouldn't go on a LGW-MCO with Virgin all ready with lots of B747-400 questions, because our man will be on a Classic! Us Classic drivers aren't that happy to be asked why we haven't got lots of TV screens, and why we occasionally have to fly the aeroplane manually!
Seriously, there's some good advice above. If you can collar the IFS (female - black blouse; male - grey shirt) you will get the most direct CC route to the captain. Be nice, explain your interest, and you might be lucky!
Guest
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Okay Scroggs,
but I doubt Day Dreamer would enter the cockpit and say (like too many pax usually say): "Holly cow ! Don't you get lost in all those buttons and gages ?"
Day Dreamer seems to be an "educated flyer", so I think he should be doing okay and avoid the stupid questions. And if he's not familiar with widebody operation at least that article (or any other on the same subject) might help him.
By the way, where exactly is MCO ?
but I doubt Day Dreamer would enter the cockpit and say (like too many pax usually say): "Holly cow ! Don't you get lost in all those buttons and gages ?"
Day Dreamer seems to be an "educated flyer", so I think he should be doing okay and avoid the stupid questions. And if he's not familiar with widebody operation at least that article (or any other on the same subject) might help him.
By the way, where exactly is MCO ?
Guest
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As a quick addition to my previos post, Hasell has reminded me of something. I tried a similar thing with easyJet and it may have been an excuse because they were too busy for a visit, but they said no because I didn't have a license/log book with me.
So probably worth taking these along.
InTheAir - sharp investigation work!!
So probably worth taking these along.
InTheAir - sharp investigation work!!
Guest
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Good point BillyM -ie. you should really take your logbook with you. I guess another factor may be the airline you fly with.
Last April, before I started my PPL training. I was flying back from Washington to LHR. During the cruise, I mentioned to the steward that I was interested in starting my PPL and could I visit the F/deck?-off he trots upto the cockpit. Within 10 mins. I get summoned up.
The crew where fantastic and very enthusiastic about humble me starting my PPL. -I spent about 20mins. or so up top and then excused myself. The a/craft:B747-200 and the airline in question ...BA -Thanks Guys!
Last April, before I started my PPL training. I was flying back from Washington to LHR. During the cruise, I mentioned to the steward that I was interested in starting my PPL and could I visit the F/deck?-off he trots upto the cockpit. Within 10 mins. I get summoned up.
The crew where fantastic and very enthusiastic about humble me starting my PPL. -I spent about 20mins. or so up top and then excused myself. The a/craft:B747-200 and the airline in question ...BA -Thanks Guys!
Guest
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Each time I have asked I have got up there, but always some form of ID was requested. A licence is better than a passport.
Word of warning, however: The 'Maniac on the Flightdeck' stories recently (not the Captain!) have prompted a flurry of exchanges elsewhere on PPRUNE about whether cockpit visits should be allowed. I imagine that some airlines are a bit wary now as well.
Good luck.
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"Take-off is optional, Landing is mandatory"
Word of warning, however: The 'Maniac on the Flightdeck' stories recently (not the Captain!) have prompted a flurry of exchanges elsewhere on PPRUNE about whether cockpit visits should be allowed. I imagine that some airlines are a bit wary now as well.
Good luck.
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"Take-off is optional, Landing is mandatory"
Guest
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Send a letter to Flt ops at the office fleming way crawley west sussex.This will be forwrded to the captain on the flight on the day of departure and as long it isnt a training flight I'm sure he will be very accomodating unless he is a miserable sod.Usually we are fine.
Guest
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I wouldn't bother wasting everyone's time writing to airlines or chief pilots before the day unless it was a small airline. Just use the professional approach as Billy M did and in most cases you should be OK.
Licence is a good idea but not all wannabes have one yet! Logbooks? Forget it, this is not a ramp check and we've got enough crap to carry onboard without adding some other useless item.
Remember not all pilots want visits, so a rejection shouldn't be taken personally. I'm happy for visits most of the time but what gets my goat are the bored pax who request during the middle of the night thus disturbing the upper deck pax on their way in and out.
Eyeinthesky - your post about the Nairobi incident isn't helpful, that guy wasn't invited and it hasn't altered company policy on flight deck visits.
Rod
Licence is a good idea but not all wannabes have one yet! Logbooks? Forget it, this is not a ramp check and we've got enough crap to carry onboard without adding some other useless item.
Remember not all pilots want visits, so a rejection shouldn't be taken personally. I'm happy for visits most of the time but what gets my goat are the bored pax who request during the middle of the night thus disturbing the upper deck pax on their way in and out.
Eyeinthesky - your post about the Nairobi incident isn't helpful, that guy wasn't invited and it hasn't altered company policy on flight deck visits.
Rod
