Great Captain
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Great Captain
Flew down from Glasgow to London on the BA huttle on Friday (as a Pax).
Flight delayed 1.5 hours with everyone on-board due to missed allocation.
However, was really suprised and happy to see the captain standing at the front of the cabin next to the wardrobe and outside the cockpit, addressing the whole passenger cabin over the PA.
This is the first time I've ever seen this and I take my hat off to this guy, it really gave a face to the voice and everyone listened. A great example of leading from the front and a great way to get engagement with the people who pay to keep the airline flying.
If only more captains did this. Operations allowing I'm gonna try this myself.
Flight delayed 1.5 hours with everyone on-board due to missed allocation.
However, was really suprised and happy to see the captain standing at the front of the cabin next to the wardrobe and outside the cockpit, addressing the whole passenger cabin over the PA.
This is the first time I've ever seen this and I take my hat off to this guy, it really gave a face to the voice and everyone listened. A great example of leading from the front and a great way to get engagement with the people who pay to keep the airline flying.
If only more captains did this. Operations allowing I'm gonna try this myself.
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Disagree!
I always thought captains doing PAs from the cabin are WEIRD!
I have had longer delays than that, but never felt the urge to display my sorry face to the crowds (even though I've been branded good looking enough times!!!).
No, we belong in the cockpit and PAs from there are more than sufficient.
Any captain with the need to stand up and "perform" needs their heads examined.
one four sick
I always thought captains doing PAs from the cabin are WEIRD!
I have had longer delays than that, but never felt the urge to display my sorry face to the crowds (even though I've been branded good looking enough times!!!).
No, we belong in the cockpit and PAs from there are more than sufficient.
Any captain with the need to stand up and "perform" needs their heads examined.
one four sick
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I have seen a Jetblue Captain do this and everybody around thought it was a nice touch. My wife is not the best of flyers and it really put her at ease to see the Captain standing there. When we landed the Captain was at the door saying goodbye and the FO was standing on the jetbridge saying goodbye. I thought it was great to see.
stilljustanothernumber
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When we landed the Captain was at the door saying goodbye and the FO was standing on the jetbridge saying goodbye. I thought it was great to see.
Bex
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AS a nervous passenger I always appreciate the 'human' touch of the Captains pre-flight talk and also the update during the flight. So to see the Captain in the flesh, so to speak, would please me 
IMHO well, OK, IMO 
There are times when a personal appearance by the old man, telling the truth will get the pax onside and take some of the strain off the CC.
OTTOMH only done it twice, once at the gate in Mombassa when a succession of crew illness & injuries (not social
) led to a delay and once in the aircraft on the ground - can't rmember why; another delay I guess.
Usually only done the "Goodbye" when flt deck shutdown wrapped up, inadvertently leap out & still disembarking - oops! OK, smile to the nice people who pay my salary.
There are times when a personal appearance by the old man, telling the truth will get the pax onside and take some of the strain off the CC.
OTTOMH only done it twice, once at the gate in Mombassa when a succession of crew illness & injuries (not social
) led to a delay and once in the aircraft on the ground - can't rmember why; another delay I guess.Usually only done the "Goodbye" when flt deck shutdown wrapped up, inadvertently leap out & still disembarking - oops! OK, smile to the nice people who pay my salary.
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Well the ones i know that do it are also the same ones who seem to get the most dramas everytime they go to work and the most (alledged)plattitudes from the company all the time for what is essentially their job discription.
Narcissicts at best. total walters at worst.
EG Scene Down route after a diversion Really happend. Young CC looking adoringly at new captain " oh that captain that has justsaved out lives is so good he called on his own phone and told crewing what for and got us a hotel, he always sticks up for us" translated for the rest of us " that captain that has diverted for a monor fault due to inexperience is on his company phone and is just getting the hotel details from crewing" Some people just have the ability to turn everyday admin into an heroic act that has saved his crew from total disater.
The aviation version of a lounge lizard. As for making the cc brews on the turnaround...dont make me vomit, ingratiating insecure and cheesy. I can get laid without all that bollox and as for crm ....rant rant rant rant....
The rest of us just go to work and get the job done. The only time i stand at the flight deck door is when i'm busting for a wee and the cc's arse is wider than the door and I cant get past
Narcissicts at best. total walters at worst.
EG Scene Down route after a diversion Really happend. Young CC looking adoringly at new captain " oh that captain that has justsaved out lives is so good he called on his own phone and told crewing what for and got us a hotel, he always sticks up for us" translated for the rest of us " that captain that has diverted for a monor fault due to inexperience is on his company phone and is just getting the hotel details from crewing" Some people just have the ability to turn everyday admin into an heroic act that has saved his crew from total disater.
The aviation version of a lounge lizard. As for making the cc brews on the turnaround...dont make me vomit, ingratiating insecure and cheesy. I can get laid without all that bollox and as for crm ....rant rant rant rant....
The rest of us just go to work and get the job done. The only time i stand at the flight deck door is when i'm busting for a wee and the cc's arse is wider than the door and I cant get past
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For gods sake , would you expect the driver of the train you have just travelled on, or the bus driver who has safely negotiated his way across central London to stand there wishing you farewell ?,..no of course not, so why should the flightdeck do it? get a life.
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Actually in the days of steam trains, the Driver would often lean out of his cab on arrival at a terminus and exchange greetings with the passengers. Like it or not, the passengers do appreciate seeing the operating crew and their presence outside the flight deck is almost always seen as a plus. Pilots are part of the public face of the company and the job is not just about flying the aeroplane.
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To all the detracters: talking to the passengers called customer service, and making a brew for the crew is being a nice bloke, as is helping the cabin crew to tidy the cabin during a turn around, so get down off your high horses: you might enjoy it!
No I wouldn't expect a train driver to do it: that's one of the things that sets US apart from THEM.
No I wouldn't expect a train driver to do it: that's one of the things that sets US apart from THEM.
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I think Basil got it just right.
In case of an issue a tech issue delaying departure that might be causing concern to nervous pax, a quick face to face by the Capt is an excellent idea. In fact, depending on circumstances, other types of delay might merit an appearance from the Capt, after all anyone familiar with CRM, something I doubt a number of posters on this thread are, will be aware of the importance of the visual element of communication.
As for standing on parade as the pax disembark, this isn't something I do as I'm usually still busy running the shutdown checklist or filling in the ever increasing amount of paperwork. If I do happen to be out of my seat, customer service and basic politeness dictates a quick goodbye is in order.
In case of an issue a tech issue delaying departure that might be causing concern to nervous pax, a quick face to face by the Capt is an excellent idea. In fact, depending on circumstances, other types of delay might merit an appearance from the Capt, after all anyone familiar with CRM, something I doubt a number of posters on this thread are, will be aware of the importance of the visual element of communication.
As for standing on parade as the pax disembark, this isn't something I do as I'm usually still busy running the shutdown checklist or filling in the ever increasing amount of paperwork. If I do happen to be out of my seat, customer service and basic politeness dictates a quick goodbye is in order.
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Can you explain why seeing the guy who flew the a/c is a plus ? all im interested in (and i suspect most other normal people )is getting off the bloody thing ASAP, whether of not i catch a fleeting glimpse of the flight crew on my off is of no consequence whatsoever.
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Firestorm,
Bt of thread creep re cc and a little tongue in cheek but...
Thats the problem its not being a nice bloke , it manifests itself as you ingratiating yourself in the possibly misguided belief that its team building and good for crm and that theyll like you more and well all be mates.
Its a nice gesture but totally unnecessary and its appreciated about as long as you remain their mate and not have to pull them up on anything(see below), nothing about high horses.
All it does is confuse people into identyfying "good crm" with the fiendly bloke in the cabin, not an effective approachable leader. Making brews , doing seat pockets and being a cheesy bugger doesnt make a good skipper. Try (if you have too)asserting your authority after doing seat pockets and your good blokeyness will evaporate faster than you can say " why does she think Im a posh git Im really nice to them". Or they say " hes such a tw@t typical flight deck why does he get two meals etc etc"
Been there done that ate hosty and read the pie. You see Im married to a colleague so its not my cynicism ( well not all) its genuine feedback from genuine cc.
Now as for the Pilot on the PA thing well as I said in my first paragraph first post , its an alarming coincidence that the ones that need to do this are the same ones who tend to have so much drama at work and always finish the day a hero.
You can lead your team effectively without compromising your position and you can address the pax without the theatrics.
Now if you want to get laid youd stand more chance not turning up in chinos and a sweater for the crew meal on layover and get em pissed enough to like you
Bt of thread creep re cc and a little tongue in cheek but...
Thats the problem its not being a nice bloke , it manifests itself as you ingratiating yourself in the possibly misguided belief that its team building and good for crm and that theyll like you more and well all be mates.
Its a nice gesture but totally unnecessary and its appreciated about as long as you remain their mate and not have to pull them up on anything(see below), nothing about high horses.
All it does is confuse people into identyfying "good crm" with the fiendly bloke in the cabin, not an effective approachable leader. Making brews , doing seat pockets and being a cheesy bugger doesnt make a good skipper. Try (if you have too)asserting your authority after doing seat pockets and your good blokeyness will evaporate faster than you can say " why does she think Im a posh git Im really nice to them". Or they say " hes such a tw@t typical flight deck why does he get two meals etc etc"
Been there done that ate hosty and read the pie. You see Im married to a colleague so its not my cynicism ( well not all) its genuine feedback from genuine cc.
Now as for the Pilot on the PA thing well as I said in my first paragraph first post , its an alarming coincidence that the ones that need to do this are the same ones who tend to have so much drama at work and always finish the day a hero.
You can lead your team effectively without compromising your position and you can address the pax without the theatrics.
Now if you want to get laid youd stand more chance not turning up in chinos and a sweater for the crew meal on layover and get em pissed enough to like you
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As a number one in my previous airline, I often flew with a captain who would address the passengers using the PA system standing in the forward cabin. Ok the odd joke was made about the crew - but this gave the passengers a sense of reassurance and took some strain off the crew. The passengers loved it as well did the crew.
Providing safety procedures are followed and time permitting, I think this should be a standard procedure - a nice touch.
Providing safety procedures are followed and time permitting, I think this should be a standard procedure - a nice touch.
Bex
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No, I wouldn't expect a train driver or a bus driver to do it, but then how many trains and buses travel at the speeds and the altitude of a plane.
I did SAY I was talking as a nervous passenger, and mostly I find this forum a good source of information. However, I am somewhat alarmed at the amount of petty bickering etc. from a group of professionals that I didn't expect it come from!
And my username, FWOF, I stole from the Flying Without Fear information I have recently taken delivery of, and which has enabled to get on a plane every Monday and Friday ... so be nice to a nervous lady please!
I did SAY I was talking as a nervous passenger, and mostly I find this forum a good source of information. However, I am somewhat alarmed at the amount of petty bickering etc. from a group of professionals that I didn't expect it come from!
And my username, FWOF, I stole from the Flying Without Fear information I have recently taken delivery of, and which has enabled to get on a plane every Monday and Friday ... so be nice to a nervous lady please!
ECON cruise, LR cruise...
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Do you think that I do seatpockets to be a nice bloke???
Jeeeezz, you guys sure must have more than a 25 min. turnaround - if I and the FO have a spare minute, we will help with the seat pockets, to expedite the turnaround! This has nothing to do with CRM, it's all about dispatching my flight on time
As for making coffee - dream on! The only time I do it is if we're the first ones out of the crew room, but never during t/r.
And yes, I also give PAs from the front whenever a serious delay is encountered or the pax might have felt that the safety of the flight might have been compromised, e.g. return to stand for minor tech problem. They have very low opinions of us in the first place without having lack of social skills and LMF added to the list by hiding in the cockpit.
What the cc, other captains and FOs think about this - I couldn't give a f#@$ing toss - I do it for the pax. If the rest of the crew have a problem with it, they can approach me. If not - get on with it!
And no - no drama, and I don't divert for any minor problems due to my inexperience. When you get your own command, you can choose for yourself - until then, simply decide if the captain displays behavioural patterns that are worth emulating or best left alone.
Jeeeezz, you guys sure must have more than a 25 min. turnaround - if I and the FO have a spare minute, we will help with the seat pockets, to expedite the turnaround! This has nothing to do with CRM, it's all about dispatching my flight on time
As for making coffee - dream on! The only time I do it is if we're the first ones out of the crew room, but never during t/r.
And yes, I also give PAs from the front whenever a serious delay is encountered or the pax might have felt that the safety of the flight might have been compromised, e.g. return to stand for minor tech problem. They have very low opinions of us in the first place
without having lack of social skills and LMF added to the list by hiding in the cockpit.What the cc, other captains and FOs think about this - I couldn't give a f#@$ing toss - I do it for the pax. If the rest of the crew have a problem with it, they can approach me. If not - get on with it!
And no - no drama, and I don't divert for any minor problems due to my inexperience. When you get your own command, you can choose for yourself - until then, simply decide if the captain displays behavioural patterns that are worth emulating or best left alone.