Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Ground & Other Ops Forums > Questions
Reload this Page >

You wouldn't, would you......?

Wikiposts
Search
Questions If you are a professional pilot or your work involves professional aviation please use this forum for questions. Enthusiasts, please use the 'Spectators Balcony' forum.

You wouldn't, would you......?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 25th May 2009, 14:16
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: somewhere, under the rainbow
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You wouldn't, would you......?

From a newspaper....

A reader was on a budget airline flight when the seatbelt sign came on. He assumed it was mid-air turbulence, until he noticed the pilot a few minutes later, go to the loo, and when he returned to the cockpit, the seatbelt sign went off.

Curiously, the same thing happened on his return flight, making him wonder: "Was it the captain just ensuring he doesn't have to queue up with his passengers, and keeping them belted in out of the way?
You wouldn't be so sneaky, would you?
ase engineer is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 14:18
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Land of the Raj
Age: 69
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Been there, done that. One of the oldest tricks in the book. My old training Captain taught me that one.
kwachon is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 14:26
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Works a treat.
bucket_and_spade is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 14:39
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: The sky
Posts: 337
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Also ensures pax are seated when the cockpit door is opened. Enhances security.
Locked door is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 15:17
  #5 (permalink)  
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 18,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Of course, if he was leaving the co-pilot to fly the aircraft, it might have been prudent...................
BOAC is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 15:53
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You would only consider this if you were some sort of half wit.

Putting the seatbelt signs on usually requires that the cabin service is curtailed or disrupted as the crew then need to ensure the cabin is secure. It might well occur that one of the crew uses the occaission to avail themselves of the facility, but not the other way around.

Not sure where this concept of the "Captain having to queue up" comes from. I find that a simple "excuse me" with a smile does the trick.
Bealzebub is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 20:30
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Gusto
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You wouldn't, would you......?
If I'm the commander... You bet I would!
Zorst is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 21:04
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: UAE
Age: 44
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thats one of our SOP's. You'll prob find that most EU carriers that dont have the delights of CCTV to monitor the front galley area/cockpit door area for access follow the same procedure. Purely a security measure to make sure no one is hanging about ready to jump in the flight deck as soon as the locked "bullet" proof door is opened!

Although did hear a rather amusing story about a pilot who had a little accident regarding a number 2!

kempus
Kempus is offline  
Old 25th May 2009, 21:07
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: England
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
An ex-collegue works for a airline for which the procedure is SOP, mainly for security reasons.
victorc10 is offline  
Old 26th May 2009, 13:59
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm more amazed that any of those weak-bladdered old knackers in the LHS were able to hold it in long enough to have turned off the belts in the first place.
Otto Throttle is offline  
Old 26th May 2009, 20:31
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southend (SEN/EGMC)
Age: 30
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps the crew knew that there would be some turbulence in a couple of minutes time and wanted all the pax to be secured in their seats before it started

The Captain or FO could then go to the loo, and return before the turbulence starts?

just my 2 pence
aviatordom is offline  
Old 28th May 2009, 22:26
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is an SOP at FR, is it not? I noticed this happen on a flight back to London a few weeks ago. Female commander, which made me wonder whether it was an SOP or was it at her discretion? Can anyone confirm?
Nicholas49 is offline  
Old 28th May 2009, 23:48
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Middle East
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Whether or or not to switch the seat belts on or off is ALWAYS at the discretion of the Captain.

Captain to pax "do you mind if I go in before you?"
Pax "yes I do actually"
Captain "well tough"
mona lot is offline  
Old 29th May 2009, 08:14
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mona lot, that is not what I meant. Of course it is at the captain's discretion!

I was asking whether FR company SOPs call for the seatbelt sign to be on when a pilot leaves the flight deck.
Nicholas49 is offline  
Old 29th May 2009, 09:39
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Around the world.
Age: 42
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, I fly Ryanair often as pax (at least once a month), it appears to be SOP for security reasons. Also, I think Ryanair do not have the CCTV system installed. Alas security procedures are pointless when if you fly more than once with a company you can notice 'seat belt sign on + smooth flying = cockpit door about to open.' Infact seems darn stupid. Hey ho. (Personal observation not relayed knowledge about security SOP).

Personally I would never put the seatbelt sign on to take a pee, if you politely ask, you will always jump the queue without problems. However, if the sign has been on for a while, if considering to get up to go to the toilet after things have got smooth again, I would ask the captain to leave the sign on until I'm in the toilet!
tom775257 is online now  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.