Can I See Airline Cockpits Anymore?

kimberlyanne546

kimberlyanne546

Final Approach
Joined
Jun 9, 2011
Messages
7,726
Location
California
Display Name
Display name:
Kimberly
Here is a crazy question:

I have not flown (commercial) since 2005.

I have a flight coming up here in about two weeks, SFO to GRR (quick layover in ORD where I may have to run to the other plane to make it).

My question is this:

A) If I wait until all of the passengers get off the plane at my final destination (GRR) and I ask the airline stewardess nicely, what are the chances she'll let me see the cockpit?

B ) Will the answer to question "A" change if I can show a private pilot certificate? Or any paperwork? Not sure if I will still be a student by then. I might be a real pilot.

Please let me know what you think.
 
There's one or two on this board that actually pilot commercial planes-I'd be curious in their responses too.
 
I fly commercial a few times a month. This has applied to Jet Blue, US Air, Virgin USA and Southwest flights I have been on in the past year.

The cockpit door is open until just before they close the main cabin door. I have gone up front in the A319 before the flight departed and took some photos sitting in the left seat.

Pretty much as soon as the cabin door is opened to the jet bridge, the cockpit door is re-opened and just about any pilot will let you up there to check it out. Being a pretty blonde girl may have helped that, but you look like you're in the same boat. Tell them you are a student or private pilot and they will explain what all the knobs and buttons do.
 
Ron has it right. Nobody cares that you are a private pilot. Anyone can ask to visit the flight deck after the flight has landed. We spent a good 20 minutes talking about deicing equipment on a A340 once :)

Visiting before the flight takes off - well, officially, no. As always, it's not necessarily a "no" if you're familiar with the crew.
 
Either during boarding or deplaning it's no big deal, just ask one of the flight attendants politely.
 
Airline stewardess. You're sure it hasn't been since 1972 since you've flown?
 
kimberlyanne546 said:
Here is a crazy question:

I have not flown (commercial) since 2005.

I have a flight coming up here in about two weeks, SFO to GRR (quick layover in ORD where I may have to run to the other plane to make it).

My question is this:

A) If I wait until all of the passengers get off the plane at my final destination (GRR) and I ask the airline stewardess nicely, what are the chances she'll let me see the cockpit?

B ) Will the answer to question "A" change if I can show a private pilot certificate? Or any paperwork? Not sure if I will still be a student by then. I might be a real pilot.

Please let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

A: It is going to come down to who the Captain is. Passenger's are not supposed to ever make it past the flight attendant guarding the flight deck door, but some Captains will stretch the rule depending on how the company allows them to flex their wings. Odds of seeing the flight deck is pretty slim, though.

B: No,what is more important is that you are a part of CASS - a security system that screens people for eligible flight deck and/or non-rev jumpseat privileges. Without being in the CASS system the company (from gate agent up) has no way to verify you are in fact a certificated pilot --- Many gates do not have time to do that. Without being a "trusted person", then even Military personnel can not have access of any kind to the flight deck... It sucks big time, but refer to #1 for the rule bending clause, LOL.

Bob
 
bob_albertson said:
B: No,what is more important is that you are a part of CASS - a security system that screens people for eligible flight deck and/or non-rev jumpseat privileges. Without being in the CASS system the company (from gate agent up) has no way to verify you are in fact a certificated pilot --- Many gates do not have time to do that. Without being a "trusted person", then even Military personnel can not have access of any kind to the flight deck... It sucks big time, but refer to #1 for the rule bending clause, LOL.

Bob
Click to expand...

Is there a way to get into the CASS system in advance, to possibly be able to ride jumpseat?
 
bob_albertson said:
A: It is going to come down to who the Captain is. Passenger's are not supposed to ever make it past the flight attendant guarding the flight deck door, but some Captains will stretch the rule depending on how the company allows them to flex their wings. Odds of seeing the flight deck is pretty slim, though.
Click to expand...

What rule? And again, Bob, you are talking about the ONE company you are familiar withl.

B: No,what is more important is that you are a part of CASS - a security system that screens people for eligible flight deck and/or non-rev jumpseat privileges. Without being in the CASS system the company (from gate agent up) has no way to verify you are in fact a certificated pilot --- Many gates do not have time to do that. Without being a "trusted person", then even Military personnel can not have access of any kind to the flight deck... It sucks big time, but refer to #1 for the rule bending clause, LOL.
Click to expand...

Jeez, Bob. We are talking about a passenger visiting the cockpit before or after a flight. Not someone trying to RIDE in the cockpit. There are no federal rules against a passenger visiting either before or after.

Inflight, on the other hand...
 
ajstoner21 said:
Is there a way to get into the CASS system in advance, to possibly be able to ride jumpseat?
Click to expand...

No, CASS includes FBI background checks on pilots and flight attendants. It's really more of a means of verifying that a person is an authorized crewmember rather then allowing some people to have access to the flight deck..

If I didn't say it before... CASS = Cockpit Access and Security System

Bob
 
ajstoner21 said:
Is there a way to get into the CASS system in advance, to possibly be able to ride jumpseat?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind, Bob talks like he knows all there is to know. (Sorry Bob. It had to be said.)

A mere mortal passenger will NEVER be allowed to ride in the cockpit without some serious horsepower pull. And then it would be extenuating circumstances. CASS is a Crew thing.
 
ajstoner21 said:
Is there a way to get into the CASS system in advance, to possibly be able to ride jumpseat?
Click to expand...
Not unless you work for an air carrier and then it needs to be set up by your company and not just an individual. A guy I fly with asked me to look into this and make a pitch to the CP but after I investigated I knew it wouldn't go over well because involves quite a bit of work and some expense. It's not really worth it for the company unless they need to move pilots around a lot. In any case, it's much safer just to buy the pilots a ticket rather than relying on the hope that there might be a jumpseat open.
 
Greg Bockelman said:
]What rule? And again, Bob, you are talking about the ONE company you are familiar withl.
Click to expand...

The TSA rule





Jeez, Bob. We are talking about a passenger visiting the cockpit before or after a flight. Not someone trying to RIDE in the cockpit. There are no federal rules against a passenger visiting either before or after.

In-flight, on the other hand...
Click to expand...

The security section of all FOM's - from what I'm told - includes a provision for that. That section is supposed to be controlled for dissemination of information so I don't know if I can cite it publicly, but I'm also led to believe that the section is similar with the rules for all flights. FA's are supposed to have a similar rule in their FAM.

bob
 
Greg Bockelman said:
Keep in mind, Bob talks like he knows all there is to know. (Sorry Bob. It had to be said.)

A mere mortal passenger will NEVER be allowed to ride in the cockpit without some serious horsepower pull. And then it would be extenuating circumstances. CASS is a Crew thing.
Click to expand...

Why be sorry... if that's the way it seems then that's the way it goes. I can't pretend like anything I say is right because I only see things from one side of the screen.

Bob
 
I thought I read something recently about the FAA allowing controllers to ride in the cockpit again so they can see pilot procedures or something.

Any one else read something like this? I might be remembering it wrong. I can't find the article now...
 
ajstoner21 said:
I thought I read something recently about the FAA allowing controllers to ride in the cockpit again so they can see pilot procedures or something.

Any one else read something like this? I might be remembering it wrong. I can't find the article now...
Click to expand...

You are correct. It's a rehash of the old "Fam Flight" (familiarization flight) program.
 
bob_albertson said:
The TSA rule







The security section of all FOM's - from what I'm told - includes a provision for that. That section is supposed to be controlled for dissemination of information so I don't know if I can cite it publicly, but I'm also led to believe that the section is similar with the rules for all flights. FA's are supposed to have a similar rule in their FAM.

bob
Click to expand...

Bob, FWIW, our FOM has no provisions to prohibit passengers from visiting the flight deck before or after a flight. I think maybe you are misinterpreting something. There is nothing particularly sensitive in the cockpit before or after.

Anyone can come visit our cockpits before or after a flight.
 
Last edited:
Greg Bockelman said:
Bob, if that is the case, it is BRAND NEW rule. And if that is the case, the damned TSA has WAY overstepped their authority.

FWIW, I will have to look it up when I FINALLY get back to work, because I truly believe that at UAL anyway, there is no such provision in our manual.

Anyone can come visit our cockpits before or after a flight.
Click to expand...

It should have been there for a while now.... only someone with "escort" privileges is supposed to be "escorting" the person to the flight deck. It might be a Houston rule, but it's in the security section of the FOM
 
bob_albertson said:
It should have been there for a while now.... only someone with "escort" privileges is supposed to be "escorting" the person to the flight deck. It might be a Houston rule, but it's in the security section of the FOM
Click to expand...

I edited my post.

There are no such provisions in our FOM.
 
Kimberly, A good friend of mine got to go into a cockpit of some commercial jet in Boston and the captain even got out of his seat and took a picture of her w/ her phone while she sat in his seat ! I couldn't believe it but he did.... It's a great picture too - She's a white haired grandma looking woman sitting in that seat w/ a big grin.
Sure can't hurt to ask them - it'll either be "sure come and look" or
"No, Sorry Ma'am civilians are not allowed"
 
No prohibitions against it at UAL and it's kind of encouraged. The actual visit will depend on crew work load and timing. If the crew is headed to a short layover or they are trying to get ready for a quick turn, waiting until the last minute might not be a good idea.

Ask the flight attendant ahead of time. Telling them you're a pilot may or may not help, but it couldn't hurt. Being an attractive blond will help alot. Take your camera and ask if you can get pictures. Most pilots are happy to show off their aircraft. And if you're on UAL mainline, ask for wings and a trading card!
 
Ticket says continental but it is confirmed (thanks pilots you know who you are) a United flight indeed.

The one from SFO to ORD that is.

Anyhow this is good news. When you say ask them early do you mean get to SFO early before they start boarding my flight and ask the flight attendants at the little kiosk at the gate? Or do you just mean ask the flight attendants on the plane itself when I board? At ORD I won't have time to stay (gotta run to my next plane) and at GRR well I kind of have important people to meet. And it will look bad if I don't get off the plane with all the other pax LOL.
 
Don't the prevailing winds blow West to East?

Being a blimp and all, it would seem she'd fly herself out, and then take Commercial going home -- not the other way around! ;)
 
Kim- couple of years back, we had a weather diversion and sat on the ramp at San Antonio for about 1.5 hours; Tommy (my son) wandered up front, and when I went hunting for him, found him in the left seat, programming the FMS for the flight to DFW.

He *was* supervised (grin).

Nice crew, making the best of a bad situation.
 
kimberlyanne546 said:
When you say ask them early do you mean get to SFO early before they start boarding my flight and ask the flight attendants at the little kiosk at the gate? Or do you just mean ask the flight attendants on the plane itself when I board? At ORD I won't have time to stay (gotta run to my next plane) and at GRR well I kind of have important people to meet. And it will look bad if I don't get off the plane with all the other pax LOL.
Click to expand...

You won't be allowed to board early. Just ask as you are getting on the airplane. Not at the top of the jetway because the gate agents don't care one way or the other.
 
You will be arrested and sent to Guantanamo for further questioning. Several memory enhancers will be employed to help you, such as water boarding and small electrical stimulations.

The most important thing they will want to know from you is why you want to see the flight deck, and exactly who sent you. They will want the names of all your co- conspirators, such as family and friends, people you work with, pretty much anyone you have ever talked to beyond a hello for the last ten or so years.

If you can not recall the names and how they can be contacted, you will be water boarded and electrocuted until you are little more than a babbling, drooling idiot. In as little as a decades time, what remains of you will be sent to Kurdistan or perhaps Angola for further questioning before your release into the wild for the local critters, such as tigers and lions and bears, to feed on.

It is best just to sit in your seat, look straight ahead and talk to no one until you have reached your destination and are completely clear of the airport by at least five miles.

Even then, be mindful about looking at anything or taking pictures of anything, TSA just might be following you.

John
 
Kim,

I've had hundreds of people come up to the cockpit to say hi and take a look around. You should have no problem sticking your head in the cockpit. Just ask one of the flight attendants (or attendant) and they'll pass the word along. I've never seen someone denied a visit to the cockpit on the ground, whether it is before or after the flight. Now, before the flight, the pilots are usually a little busier and might not have as much time to chat as they are getting the plane ready to go. After the flight, they'll have more time if they themselves aren't running to another flight or just running late in general.

I'm not sure what reg Bob is talking about, either. We have nothing in our FOM prohibiting cockpit visits on the ground, whether before or after the flight.

Customers can visit the cockpit all the way to engine start before the flight to right after engine shutdown after the flight. A crewmember is required to be up there, but that's about it. I usually tell them not to touch anything red. :) There's no restriction to toss them into a seat for some pictures. Usually wind up with a hat on, as well, if they are younger and think it's neat..
 
rpadula said:
Captain Oveur: You ever been in a cockpit before?
Joey: No sir, I've never been up in a plane before.
Captain Oveur: You ever seen a grown man naked?


(sorry, I just had to do it!!!):goofy:
Click to expand...


Funny enough, one of my coworkers had Leslie Nielsen come up to the cockpit and do the "I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you" routine. Apparently he made it a habit of doing that since he knew almost every (airline and otherwise) pilot finds that movie hysterical... :)
 
I usually get a pretty good look at a 737 flight deck everytime I board a Southwest flight.

Also, bear in mind that there will probably be at least one or two cargo jets open for cockpit tours at the Wings over Wine airshow, as well as big military planes. Ample time to sit in the seat and make airplane noises.
 
I have a TSA Issued Credential card called a "TWIC" (Transportation worker's id card) that I had to get in order to apply for a Coast Guard Captain's License. Had to pass a full background check, get my fingerprints and etc... (more incentive not to ever rob a liquor store)

Anyone know if this card is worth anything at an airport? I envision myself flashing this ID to the TSA workers just as I am about to be groped "no touchy"
 
Greg Bockelman said:
What rule? And again, Bob, you are talking about the ONE company you are familiar withl.



Jeez, Bob. We are talking about a passenger visiting the cockpit before or after a flight. Not someone trying to RIDE in the cockpit. There are no federal rules against a passenger visiting either before or after.

Inflight, on the other hand...
Click to expand...

In the right corner, weighing in at 580,000 lbs, from Dubuque, Iowa we have.....

bob_albertson said:
No, CASS includes FBI background checks on pilots and flight attendants. It's really more of a means of verifying that a person is an authorized crewmember rather then allowing some people to have access to the flight deck..

If I didn't say it before... CASS = Cockpit Access and Security System

Bob
Click to expand...

In the left corner, weighing in at 27,275 lbs, from Hot Springs, Arkansas we have....
 
Rex Kramer said:
Funny enough, one of my coworkers had Leslie Nielsen come up to the cockpit and do the "I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you" routine. Apparently he made it a habit of doing that since he knew almost every (airline and otherwise) pilot finds that movie hysterical... :)
Click to expand...

...sez the guy named Rex Kramer. What a coincidence! :rofl:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top