What do you do during a flight?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 264
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From: here today, there tomorrow
What do you do durning a flight?
hey guys
i am currently working on my p.pl.l and want to fly for a major carrier oneday. i am interested to know what pilots do during a long-haul flight , lets say while its on cruise? do you guys talk about families? or glue your mouth and fly only?
i am sure your feedback would give wannabees like me the chance to get prepared for this exciting carrier beforehand.
thanks!
richie rich
i am currently working on my p.pl.l and want to fly for a major carrier oneday. i am interested to know what pilots do during a long-haul flight , lets say while its on cruise? do you guys talk about families? or glue your mouth and fly only?
i am sure your feedback would give wannabees like me the chance to get prepared for this exciting carrier beforehand.
thanks!
richie rich
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,914
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
Don't fly long haul...
Usually it is a "sterile cockpit" below 5000' or 10,000'. That means no non operation talk. After that general chit chat is the go. You soon learn when to be quiet ie radio calls etc.
It's a good reason to have "a life" outside work so you can chat about a variety of things. Helps the time pass and keeps every one just that bit more awake. Some fill out their log books, catch up on the newspaper cross word, it depends on the crew. (and company SOPs)
Usually it is a "sterile cockpit" below 5000' or 10,000'. That means no non operation talk. After that general chit chat is the go. You soon learn when to be quiet ie radio calls etc.
It's a good reason to have "a life" outside work so you can chat about a variety of things. Helps the time pass and keeps every one just that bit more awake. Some fill out their log books, catch up on the newspaper cross word, it depends on the crew. (and company SOPs)
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 258
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From: Planet Earth
One captain I flew with has infected me with the history bug. I now usually think (and sometimes talk) about historic events and the development of the area we're passing. Makes time fly, really.
Of course, me flying short haul: Europe has a lot more history to offer tha the north atlantic...
Of course, me flying short haul: Europe has a lot more history to offer tha the north atlantic...
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Somewhere hot, hot, hot
Of course it depends who you're flying with, and whether they're feeling chatty or not.
I was always worried if I ended up with a skipper that was a man of few words that it'd be a bit like sitting with your girlfriend's dad for the first time or something, all stilted conversation et al but to be honest it's not like that really.
There's a sense of purpose with every flight and you're working as a team, so there's always some common ground for chat. And like was pointed out above, there's always the Times crossword, which I might add, is aided no end by flying a 'bus.....
*runs for cover as a new 'Times Crossword Airbus Vs Boeing fight breaks out*
I was always worried if I ended up with a skipper that was a man of few words that it'd be a bit like sitting with your girlfriend's dad for the first time or something, all stilted conversation et al but to be honest it's not like that really.
There's a sense of purpose with every flight and you're working as a team, so there's always some common ground for chat. And like was pointed out above, there's always the Times crossword, which I might add, is aided no end by flying a 'bus.....
*runs for cover as a new 'Times Crossword Airbus Vs Boeing fight breaks out*
Seasonally Adjusted
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,127
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From: ...deep fine leg
On the subject of Bus v Boeing... is it easier to relax and put your feet up with that side mounted joy stick? This is a genuine question as I'm still a Cessna 310 driver, a rather cramped work environment by comparison.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Listen to my mp3 player. read a good book. play chess with the FO. try to work out which star is which. play I spy (tough at 30,000 feet at night) learn to juggle. eat , eat, eat again. Do yoga in the little space between the crew seats and the door. Bitch about other people in the company (even those who dont deserve it). do an Open Uni degree in cybernetics.
Anything to pass the time.
ps not all of the above are true, Ill let you use your own jugment.
Anything to pass the time.
ps not all of the above are true, Ill let you use your own jugment.
What do I do
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Somewhere hot, hot, hot
Is it easier to relax in a 'Bus with the sidestick? I'd say so, but I only fly the 20/21 so the sectors aren't that long.
Perhaps a 330/340 driver can tell you more.
I just like having somewhere to put dindins without all that balancing on your knees malarkey... I've heard you can spot a long-haul Boeing driver as he's always got food on his trousers!
Perhaps a 330/340 driver can tell you more.
I just like having somewhere to put dindins without all that balancing on your knees malarkey... I've heard you can spot a long-haul Boeing driver as he's always got food on his trousers!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 453
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From: UK
So theres no chatting up the cabin crew or flirting with them then ? 
Might have to rethink my career path now then if chess is the best I can expect.
Maybe we should start a pprune chat n flirt or dating room to meet those lovely ladies who post in the cabin crew forum.
Might have to rethink my career path now then if chess is the best I can expect.
Maybe we should start a pprune chat n flirt or dating room to meet those lovely ladies who post in the cabin crew forum.
I'matightbastard
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,747
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From: Texas
Hwel, do you run the mp3s through your headset?
Actually what I really try and do is maintain heading, altitude and cross track distance within set limits using the GPS. I find it helps build my concentration and also helps the time pass quite quickly.
Actually what I really try and do is maintain heading, altitude and cross track distance within set limits using the GPS. I find it helps build my concentration and also helps the time pass quite quickly.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7
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From: UK
what to do
Hey high flyer go and read the post on vain pilots. That will tell you what pilots get up to on long haul flights.
Apart from sleezing over us girlies whilst away, they spend the time flying there eating, talking about women, football and golf.
But then once in autopilot what more could a glorified bus driver do???????????
Apart from sleezing over us girlies whilst away, they spend the time flying there eating, talking about women, football and golf.
But then once in autopilot what more could a glorified bus driver do???????????
Grim Sleeper
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 179
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From: UK
If the girlie in question had the nous to operate the armoured flight deck door and actually come in every once in a while, instead of just dinging through on the interphone every hour or so when she remembers, then the chance would be a fine thing....!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 79
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From: A Travelling Man
Fortunately leemo you and your mindset are in the minority.
The vast majority, either side of the flight deck door, are team players and don't allow themselves to become obsessed with parochial attitudes
Have you read Diamondtart's offering in the Agony Aunt forum yet?
The vast majority, either side of the flight deck door, are team players and don't allow themselves to become obsessed with parochial attitudes
Have you read Diamondtart's offering in the Agony Aunt forum yet?
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 52
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From: In a house
What do I do inflight?
I'm just a PC pilot, and I'm extremely glad that no real pilots have the same inclinations that I have......
Whenever I'm inflight (and I always have a relatively cloud free flight, hahaha) and the flight becomes a bit tedious, I play "I spy with my little eye"...
However I look for other airports to land at. It doesn't matter if I'm 45 minutes out of Townsville bound for Brisbane I will always find it more entertaining to land at Mackay or Proserpine.
Whenever I see an airport, I land there!!!
That's what I do when the PC flight becomes tedious.
SixStar
Whenever I'm inflight (and I always have a relatively cloud free flight, hahaha) and the flight becomes a bit tedious, I play "I spy with my little eye"...
However I look for other airports to land at. It doesn't matter if I'm 45 minutes out of Townsville bound for Brisbane I will always find it more entertaining to land at Mackay or Proserpine.
Whenever I see an airport, I land there!!!
That's what I do when the PC flight becomes tedious.
SixStar
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 453
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From: UK
And there's me thinking the crew were a happy bunch who worked together as a team.
So winding each other up is a passtime too I take it ?
Diamondtart
Are they sleezing or "admiring and appreciating" ?? You have to have fun when at work, you spend a lot of time there.
edited cos I found the vain pilot post
So winding each other up is a passtime too I take it ?
Diamondtart
Are they sleezing or "admiring and appreciating" ?? You have to have fun when at work, you spend a lot of time there.
edited cos I found the vain pilot post
Last edited by Northern Highflyer; 23rd April 2003 at 21:24.
