Open door policy
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Open door policy
I know this subject has been done to death but flying with Spanair (JKK) last week to Tenerife, the cockpit door was open all the way through the flight, including taxiing to and from the terminal. Now I was under the impression that it was policy worldwide for cockpit doors to be locked, or at least closed, at all times. This wasn't isolated to the outbound leg but also the return. Just what is the policy? Is it at the crews discretion? Or do different companies have different rules?
From a personal point of view it was a nice change watching the guys up front fight the cross wind at TFS on landing.
Also slightly off the subject why do I have to suffer plastic cutlery in airport terminals, when flying with Emirates a couple of weeks ago they gave me stainless steel cutlery with my in-flight meal?
Yours confused
DC
From a personal point of view it was a nice change watching the guys up front fight the cross wind at TFS on landing.
Also slightly off the subject why do I have to suffer plastic cutlery in airport terminals, when flying with Emirates a couple of weeks ago they gave me stainless steel cutlery with my in-flight meal?
Yours confused
DC
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DesignerChappie
It may well be polcy in most most places - but it isn't a matter of law.
Maybe Spanair have changed the policy, maybe the Spanish authorities have not been so rigid as others in their legislation.
Maybe the door was broken - it's not a 'no go' item in the MEL.
It may well be polcy in most most places - but it isn't a matter of law.
Maybe Spanair have changed the policy, maybe the Spanish authorities have not been so rigid as others in their legislation.
Maybe the door was broken - it's not a 'no go' item in the MEL.
We have been having this discussion with regards to the MEL in easyJet. The MEL refers basically to what is technically OK to dispatch with and is thus the\province of the CAA/JAA. The flight deck door locked policy is from The DTI, and is thus different.
Technically, we can have the flight deck door open as we used to, but we would be breaking the law with regard to DTI regulations. Two sets of regulations covering the same subject.
Technically, we can have the flight deck door open as we used to, but we would be breaking the law with regard to DTI regulations. Two sets of regulations covering the same subject.
I have flown with several companies that still allow cockpit visits and/or fly with an open door. In all cases I would judge these companies to be low-risk as potential candidates for terrorist actions. Different circumstances should dictate different measures and be left at the Captain's discretion. As pax on let us say an American Airlines B777, I would appreciate the locked door. On the other hand, if I'm on a short inter-island flight on a carrier whose country is not high on the terrorists target list, I have no qualms about an open door. Yes, I know, there are always exceptions (nutters etc) but the odds are that I've more chance of winning the lottery! I say "thank goodness" that flying can still be fun with some airlines.
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kriskross
If the door lock was unserviceable presumeably the aircraft could not then despatch, as the law would be broken. (DTI/DLTR).
Is there a despatch 'get out' clause?
Is this a DLTR policy or guideline?
If the door lock was unserviceable presumeably the aircraft could not then despatch, as the law would be broken. (DTI/DLTR).
Is there a despatch 'get out' clause?
Is this a DLTR policy or guideline?
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Hi all,
I used to let the cockpitdoor open, even on landings and takeoffs but after a while you get used to be in your dark galley up front inflight, landing and on takeoffs
Too bad that some guys spoiled the real fun of aviation
greetings!
luchtzak
Luchtzak Aviation Pictures
I used to let the cockpitdoor open, even on landings and takeoffs but after a while you get used to be in your dark galley up front inflight, landing and on takeoffs
Too bad that some guys spoiled the real fun of aviation greetings!
luchtzak
Luchtzak Aviation Pictures
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Some airlines / authorities still allow blades up to a certain length....therefore inflight cutlery allowed. Some countries (security forbids me from saying where) even sell "army knives" airside. We're fighting that one!
But all this doesn't stop crews raising an ASR 'cos some 88 year old granny got through airport security with her plastic knitting needles!
But all this doesn't stop crews raising an ASR 'cos some 88 year old granny got through airport security with her plastic knitting needles!
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Hello,
I was just thinking, "Will closing the door prevent a 'determined' person from entering the cockpit?" I was thinking along th elines that if a person really want's to get into the cockpit, a door won't stop him! It will only slow him down a little! So do you not thinking it would be wiser for them to think of ideas to slow him down rather than outright preventing him entering the flightdeck?
I think the scope of "weapons" that could be used by someone is too broad for an airport/airline/authority to "police" correctly and enforce it 110% The previous post.."Knitting Needles"....it would get real stupid real fast...and slow operations down at the airport a bit..do you not think? Do you get what I am saying, or am I just saying alot of BS? hmm...
Regards,
Matthew
I was just thinking, "Will closing the door prevent a 'determined' person from entering the cockpit?" I was thinking along th elines that if a person really want's to get into the cockpit, a door won't stop him! It will only slow him down a little! So do you not thinking it would be wiser for them to think of ideas to slow him down rather than outright preventing him entering the flightdeck?
I think the scope of "weapons" that could be used by someone is too broad for an airport/airline/authority to "police" correctly and enforce it 110% The previous post.."Knitting Needles"....it would get real stupid real fast...and slow operations down at the airport a bit..do you not think? Do you get what I am saying, or am I just saying alot of BS? hmm...
Regards,
Matthew
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FROM INTERNTET VERSION OF THE JERUSALEM POST TODAY
The flight privileges of three foreign airlines serving Ben Gurion International may be suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) if cockpit doors are not locked during flights to Tel Aviv, the Transportation Ministry warned Thursday.
Passengers flying to Israel on UK-based Monarch Airlines, Onur Air of Turkey, and Yugoslavian flag carrier, JAT, have repeatedly complained that pilots keep cockpit doors open during flights to Tel Aviv, in violation of Israeli aviation laws.
After meeting with the airlines representatives, CAA head, Amos Amir ordered the carriers to issue written instructions for cabin crews on Tel Aviv bound flights alerting them to the security guidelines, with copies of each airline's orders sent to the Transportation Ministry.
Since the events of September 11, 2001, the CAA has ordered all airlines servicing Israel to keep cockpit doors locked during flight.
The flight privileges of three foreign airlines serving Ben Gurion International may be suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) if cockpit doors are not locked during flights to Tel Aviv, the Transportation Ministry warned Thursday.
Passengers flying to Israel on UK-based Monarch Airlines, Onur Air of Turkey, and Yugoslavian flag carrier, JAT, have repeatedly complained that pilots keep cockpit doors open during flights to Tel Aviv, in violation of Israeli aviation laws.
After meeting with the airlines representatives, CAA head, Amos Amir ordered the carriers to issue written instructions for cabin crews on Tel Aviv bound flights alerting them to the security guidelines, with copies of each airline's orders sent to the Transportation Ministry.
Since the events of September 11, 2001, the CAA has ordered all airlines servicing Israel to keep cockpit doors locked during flight.
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Monarch have had a locked door policy for a while now and it is adhered to. Unfortunately when the door is opened during the flight for the #1 or #4 to go in or out, or the crew to use the toilet, that's when pax often notice it and start to put pen to paper (or just start unsubstantiated rumours).
